ON this day in 1971, Dave Mackay took over as Town manager – but on this day in 1972, he resigned!

Seen by many as the man who ousted Fred Ford and then sold Don Rogers before making a hasty exit, the company minute book covering that year paints a rather different picture.

Having witnessed the club regain a place in the second tier in 1970 with Ford at the helm, the Town directors did not see him as the man to take it to the next level.

While Swindon enjoyed League Cup success and promotion a year earlier, Mackay was leading Derby to the championship in the division above – and was earmarked for the County Ground hotseat.

A month before his arrival as a player, the Town directors proposed that the Scot take on the tasks of both team selection and training, offering Ford the post of chief scout.

That proposal was rescinded just eight days later when, on April 16, 1971, the former Tottenham man expressed a wish to continue as a player for the 1971/72 season.

Ford remained in situ, but when only four wins were gained in the first 15 games of that campaign, he was shown the door anyway.

Former skipper Stan Harland was soon to follow, after he had endured an unhappy time in an unaccustomed midfield role.

From April 1972, Mackay left himself out of the side but, with little investment in the side due to crippling costs of the new North Stand, there was little hope of improvement.

By October, desperate attempts to reduce the wage bill saw offers invited for Joe Butler, Peter Noble, Rod Thomas and Rogers.

Palace submitted a £140,000 bid for Rogers – or £90,000 plus Bobby Kellard.

The latter was Mackay's preferred option, but his wishes were disregarded.

That seemed to be the final straw as within days he tendered his resignation.