8:20am Wednesday 17th March 2010
By Sam Morshead
NEIL Loader has set his sights on establishing Swindon in the National League structure, claiming the town “deserves” that level of rugby.
Speaking after his side’s superb 31-24 win at Grove in Southern Counties North on Saturday, Loader, pictured right, outlined his long-term vision for the club.
For rugby enthusiasts in the region it makes for an exciting prospect, although the Greenbridge Road coach was quick to stress foundations must be properly laid before any team building can begin.
“The aim is to get a Swindon side into National Division Three,” he said.
“Swindon deserves a side of that quality, and I know plenty of top quality players in the town who still travel outside to play for other clubs.
“We want to attract them to Swindon as well as bring in players from outside the town.
“But we have to start by laying the foundations and that includes the finances, facilites and the juniors section.
“If we are going to be successful, we have to be sustainable.”
At present, the highest-ranking side from the North Wiltshire area is Wootton Bassett - currently struggling in South West 1 East.
But having overseen the assimilation of a squad brimming with ability, Loader is confident of eventually realising the club’s dream.
With a regional cup final to look forward to on Easter Saturday, the prospect of a potential trip to Twickenham on the not-so-distant horizon and the acquisition of several vastly talented individuals over the course of the season, 2010 has turned into a fruitful year for Swindon.
That the resurgence coincided with Loader’s return from Italy relates to the passion the former Rugby Parma man has for his home town club, although even he admitted the strength in depth of his current squad has taken even him by surprise.
“I’ve realised now that we’ve got real quality in depth,” he said.
“I have 26 players who could be considered first team starters. It is very exciting.
“The hard thing now is to keep them all involved and motivated.
“Fingers crossed the big personalities can stay and we can keep improving.”
Swindon secured an impressive 31-24 win at Grove in Southern Counties North on Saturday, despite missing seven first-team players.
Neil Loader’s side came shooting out of the blocks to lead 24-3 at half time.
Despite a mini-comeback from their hosts, the Greenbridge Road side rallied in the final 20 minutes to secure their first win in three attempts.
The power of the visiting forwards earned Swindon their opening score. After Grove’s scrum was pushed over their own tryline, the home blindside flanker kicked the ball away from within the scrum, leaving the referee with no option but to award a penalty try.
Minutes later Nathan Waite touched down to extend the lead, and further scores from Joe Williams and Mark Chapman put Swindon in the ascendancy before the break.
After the interval, Grove reduced arrears, clawing their way back to 24-18 before Tom Mannion settled matters with the final try of the afternoon.
Loader was delighted with the efforts of his understrength side.
“99 per cent of people in our division expected us to lose the game,” said the Swindon coach.
“Luckily, all those who believed we could win were in the dressing room on Saturday.
“The boys keep impressing, and I have to take my hat off to the way they dig deep and continue to play hard.”
In South West 1 East, Wootton Bassett lost 39-14 at home to fellow strugglers Trowbridge.
Minety were on the receiving end of a 55-0 beating by North Dorset in Southern Counties South.
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