A year ago, we proudly unveiled a statue honouring one of Swindon Town’s greatest-ever servants, John Trollope MBE, at Foundation Park.

It was a special day for the Foundation, the football club and the wider Swindon community as we came together to celebrate a true local legend and recognise the incredible contribution he has made to the club over more than six decades.

John Trollope’s connection with Swindon Town began in 1960, when he made his first-team debut as a teenager. Over the course of his playing career, he made an incredible 889 first-team appearances for the club, including 770 Football League appearances, a record for appearances for a single club that stood for more than four decades. He was also a key member of the Swindon side that famously lifted the League Cup at Wembley in 1969.

His contribution to Swindon Town extended far beyond his playing career. After hanging up his boots, John continued to serve the club in a number of roles, including manager, assistant manager, coach, youth team manager and ambassador. In total, his association with the club has spanned almost 40 years in various official capacities, while he has also continued to support the Community Foundation and its work in the local community.

The statue at Foundation Park is therefore about much more than celebrating a remarkable football career. It is a lasting tribute to John’s loyalty, dedication and commitment to Swindon Town, as well as the impact he has had on generations of supporters and the wider community.

A year on from the unveiling, it remains a proud landmark at the entrance to Foundation Park and a fitting reminder of what John Trollope means to the club, the Foundation and the people of Swindon.

His legacy will continue to inspire future generations, ensuring that one of Swindon Town’s greatest servants remains forever part of the club and its community.