{"title":"Author: David Wallis","description":"\u003cp\u003eA selection of books about Swindon Town written by David Wallis.\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"swindon-town-the-lou-macari-years","title":"Swindon Town – The Lou Macari Years","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe incredible story of Swindon Town's rise over a frenetic five-year period under the management of Lou Macari, with exclusive insight and views from Macari himself.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhen former Manchester United midfielder and Scottish international Macari became the Robins' player-manager in the summer of 1984, he joined a club in the doldrums. But his arrival changed everything. Under Macari, Football League and club records were set, promotion campaigns became almost routine and a feel-good factor gripped the whole town. This compelling book:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCharts a magical five years in Swindon Town's history, highlighting the major matches and key milestones of a period of huge progress and success for the club\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eTells of promotions, play-off excitement, cup semi-final disappointment and constant progression, as players started successful international careers, and local and national heroes were born\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eExamines Macari's career before joining the club, with an appraisal of the position Swindon Town were in before his arrival\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eReviews key players' careers after the manager left in 1989, including a look at their international and club achievements\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eIncludes a diary of events resulting from the Football League's investigation into the financial dealings of Swindon Town over the course of the 1980s\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAssesses the position Swindon Town find themselves in today, comparing 1984 with 2024\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA must for all Swindon Town fans, this is a tale of unprecedented success and unfortunate consequences. Forty years after Macari arrived at the County Ground, his legacy at the club still burns brightly.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSize: 145mm x 223mm – 255 pages.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Soccer Books Limited","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":55300428956030,"sku":"9781801509978","price":14.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0726\/0546\/6903\/files\/SwindonTownLouMacari.jpg?v=1741704991"},{"product_id":"swindon-towns-journey-to-the-premier-league-the-robins-incredible-rise-to-the-top","title":"Swindon Town's Journey to the Premier League – The Robins Incredible Rise to the Top","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe epic story of the Robins' five-year quest to reach the top flight for the first time in their history. Building on Lou Macari's foundations, World Cup-winning manager Ossie Ardiles leads Swindon to play-off victory, only for promotion to Division One to be snatched away as a punishment for financial irregularities. Glenn Hoddle replaces Ardiles and rebuilds belief, guiding the team back to Wembley, where a dramatic play-off win finally secures the promotion denied three years earlier.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNow part of the newly formed Premier League, John Gorman's Swindon side learn harsh lessons about the gulf between the divisions. Brought to life through exclusive interviews with five key players of the era, this is a story that will resonate with football fans everywhere – full of hope and elation, fear and setbacks, and the moments that shape a club's destiny. Published in 2026.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSize: 145mm x 223mm – 240 pages.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Soccer Books Limited","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":58081891713406,"sku":"9781836804437","price":19.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0726\/0546\/6903\/files\/SwindonTownPremierLeague.jpg?v=1790156661"}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0726\/0546\/6903\/collections\/SwindonTownPremierLeague.jpg?v=1790157012","url":"https:\/\/soccer-books.co.uk\/collections\/author-david-wallis-1.oembed","provider":"Soccer Books Limited","version":"1.0","type":"link"}