By Joe Jones
Head to head
Notts County have met Swindon Town on 64 occasions, the first time being in the FA Cup over a century ago.
On that day in January 1911, the Robins beat the Magpies 2-0 at the County Ground.
In terms of head to head, 25 games have been won by Notts, 27 by Swindon, and 12 have been drawn.
Swindon suffered a 0-1 defeat to Notts County on match day seven; despite failing to score on that occasion, the Robins have netted six goals in their last three matches against Notts County, more than in their previous nine combined in all competitions.
Swindon Town have won five of their last eight home games against Notts County in the Football League (D2 L1), keeping six clean sheets in the process; in fact, Notts County have failed to score at the County Ground since their 2-1 victory back in April 2011.
Stats
Swindon have lost three home games in a row in League Two and have won just 11 points at the County Ground this season, a joint-league low on home soil (alongside Forest Green Rovers and Crawley Town).
Jorge Grant has had a hand in more goals (18) than any other player in League Two this season (13 goals, five assists).
History
The club was founded in 1879 by Reverend William Baker Pitt.
Whilst curate of Christ Church, the high church of Swindon, Pitt formed Swindon Association Football Club to provide recreation for young men in his parish.
Swindon won the Southern League championship in 1910-11, earning themselves a Charity Shield clash with Football League champions Manchester United.
This, the highest-scoring Charity Shield game to date, was played on 25 September 1911 at Stamford Bridge with Manchester United winning 8–4!
Some of the proceeds of this game were later donated to the survivors of the Titanic.
During World War II, The War Department – the government body responsible for the supply of equipment to the armed forces in the UK – took over the County Ground in 1940.
For a while, prisoners of war were housed in huts placed on the pitch. For this, the club received compensation of £4,570 at war’s end.
Swindon Town were the first League club to use floodlights, having had them installed in 1951.
The County Ground is also the only football stadium in the world with a Rolex watch acting as its timekeeper –the clock on the Stratton Bank stand featuring its name was erected to celebrate promotion in 1963.
Swindon have spent one season in the top flight, in 1992-93, during which Glenn Hoddle managed them.
Sadly, they didn't do too well, being relegated at the end of the season after conceding 100 goals.
The most notable silverware in the Robins’ possession is undoubtedly the League Cup, won in 1969 after beating Arsenal in the final at Wembley.
Royle Family and Two Pints Of Lager actor Ralf Little was rumoured to be on trial at Swindon back in 2002, though the funnyman later claimed that he was just training with the squad.
Jazz singer Jamie Cullum is also a fan of the Robins.
Team news
Swindon boss David Flitcroft will consider changes after Luton beat them 5-0 at the County Ground on Boxing Day, leaving the Robins winless at home in League Two since October.
Fit-again Scott Twine, Kellan Gordon, Ellis Iandolo and Chris Robertson could all come into the reckoning, but Harry Smith has played his final game for Swindon as the on-loan striker has returned to parent club Millwall.
Notts County will assess strikers Shola Ameobi and Jonathan Forte, as well as midfielder Rob Milsom.
All three players missed the Boxing Day win at Morecambe with knocks but Magpies manager Kevin Nolan is hopeful he will have the trio back in contention on Saturday.
Lewis Alessandra took full advantage of his opportunity in the absence of Ameobi and Forte by scoring twice and he will hope that is enough to see him retain his place in the side.
Defender Carl Dickinson and midfielder Terry Hawkridge are among those who will come into Nolan's thinking should he opt to freshen things up.
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