Chris

Introduction: Name: Lee Witts. How long have you supported Swindon Town? I’ve supported Swindon since I was about four years old. Are you a season ticket holder? I’m not a season ticket holder because I have a young child at home who is too young to go to games at the moment. However, I go to most home games and some away games, including some long ones. Age? 29. Favourite Player? The legends Don Rogers and Sam Parkin. How do you feel about Swindon Town’s performance so far this season? What do you think are the main reasons behind the team’s current position in the league? I think we need new players. Our squad depth is shocking, which is why our start to the season hasn’t been good. We capitulated during the first home game against Walsall. How do you feel about the recent loan signings of Miguel Freckleton, Joel Cotterill, and Kabongo Tshimanga? How do you think these new players will integrate with the existing squad? Freckleton looks like he’ll be a decent signing after a few more matches. Cotterill needs to improve as he hasn’t had a good start. Tshimanga could be a great signing if he scores a few early goals. What are your expectations for the upcoming game against Notts County? Which Notts County players do you think Swindon Town should be most wary of? My expectation for the game on Saturday is a win, but I know that Notts are much better defensively so far this season. So, a draw would still be a solid result! If we control the midfield and limit Jatta’s service, I would be very happy. What strategies do you think Swindon Town should employ to secure a win against Notts County? How do you think Swindon Town’s recent signings, like Jeff King and Grant Hall, can contribute to the strategies you mentioned? Jeff King has an amazing cross and shot. If we find Smith in the box, he’ll likely win the header and score because of his stature. Even though Hall had a bad game against Walsall, he has plenty of Championship experience and should start performing well in the future. How has the fan support been this season, and how do you think it affects the team’s performance? What are your thoughts on the management and coaching staff’s approach this season? Our fans expect more than what we’ve been giving them. We’re one of the biggest clubs in this division on paper, but we’ve nearly gone out of business and underperformed in the last four or five years. Our fanbase is fed up and wants to see results and passion. This season, we’re playing more direct football than we have in the past, and it will take some time to get used to. But I believe we can turn our fortunes around. Are there any particular players you are excited to see develop this season? Which player do you think has been the standout performer so far this season? I think Will Wright has been our standout performer. He looks very solid, and he was a great signing after his success with Crawley last year. He’s also a set-piece expert, so he’s my best player so far this season. When he finally gets fit, Sean McGurk is a very talented youngster, and I can’t wait to see him flourish in the right hands. What are your hopes and expectations for Swindon Town for the rest of the season? What changes or improvements would you like to see in the team moving forward? The playoffs were our objective this season, but after the first three games, and if nothing improves, I’d probably say mid-table or even relegation if our performances don’t change. However, we have a lot more experience this season, and I think we should be okay. How do you think Swindon Town can effectively cope with teams that like to retain a high amount of possession? Additionally, what adjustments do you think the team should make to their defensive and midfield strategies to counter such teams? I think we’ll struggle on the counter-attack. Walsall, for example, punished us every time they attacked in the last home game. However, not every game will be like that, and I think we’ll have our fair share of possession over a long and fruitful season. Also, I think we have a good chance of getting a result against Notts County if we can keep Jones quiet on Saturday. Final comments from Chris It’s still very early in the season, and Swindon Town’s start is a false impression of their abilities. They are a good League Two team with some very good players, and the arrival of Kabongo Tshimanga on loan from Peterborough United should give them a threat up top. Notts will see this as a good opportunity to continue their undefeated start. I believe it will take a few more games before Swindon start to pick up their season, so I think their form will benefit Notts if we control the game. Jodi Jones and our midfield will be crucial in making the game difficult. I think Swindon will be defensively tight and hard to break down. The Magpies must be creative in their bid to get their first three points on the road. I predict a 2-0 win, but I acknowledge that it could end in a draw. Take a moment to cast your vote for the Pride of Nottingham Player of the Month for August and recognise the standout performances! Pride of Nottingham member Blake encourages fans to share their love for Notts County by posting their favourite memories with fellow supporters!

Born on 16 November 1898 in Derby, Tom Keetley was a legendary English footballer who played as a centre forward. He was part of a footballing family, with several of his brothers, including Arthur, Harry, Joe, Frank and Charlie, playing professionally as well. Keetley started his career with Bradford Park Avenue before joining Doncaster Rovers in 1923. He played for Doncaster for a decade and became their all-time leading goalscorer, scoring 180 goals in 231 appearances. Keetley's impressive performances caught the eye of many clubs, and in 1929, he signed for Notts County for a fee of £750. Keetley's debut for the Magpies was a memorable one, as he scored a hat-trick against Bristol City in a 3-1 win. The 1930-31 season was one of his best, as he scored a remarkable 39 league goals for Notts, a record that stood for 92 years until it was broken by Macaulay Langstaff in 2023. Keetley's goals helped Notts to a third-place finish in the First Division in the 1930-31 season, their highest ever league finish. Keetley's playing style was that of a traditional centre forward, who was tall, strong and good in the air. He was also known for his ability to score goals with both his feet and head. Keetley's physical attributes and goal-scoring prowess made him a fan favourite at Notts, where he spent most of his career. His career spanned from 1919 to 1934, during which he scored 284 goals in the Football League. Despite his success on the pitch, Keetley's personal life was not without its challenges. In an era where footballers were not paid as much as they are today, Keetley struggled financially after retiring from football. He became a publican but was declared bankrupt in 1945. Keetley also suffered from ill health in his later years and died in August 1958, aged 59. Notts County fans still hold Keetley in high regard, and he is regarded as one of the club's greatest ever players. His record-breaking season in 1930-31 will always be remembered as one of the finest individual performances in the club's history. His legacy at Notts is further cemented by the fact that he is still the club's all-time leading scorer in the top flight of English football, with 64 goals in 108 appearances. Football has come a long way since Keetley's playing days, with the sport now being the most popular ball game in the world. However, the issue of the welfare of young players in academies and the challenges of life after football still persist. The tragic death of 18-year-old Jeremy Wisten has reignited soul-searching about the role football academies play in developing young players and whether the sheer scale of the operation makes it exploitative. While Keetley's career may have ended almost 90 years ago, the challenges he faced off the pitch are still relevant today. Footballers at all levels should be aware of the importance of planning for their future after their playing career comes to an end. Keetley's story serves as a reminder that footballing success on the pitch does not always translate to financial stability off the pitch. Tom Keetley's football career was one of great success, as a dominant centre-forward who played a vital role in Notts County's best-ever league finish. His memory lives on in the hearts of football fans across England. Take a walk down memory lane by reading more Notts Alumni articles on the Pride of Nottingham, published every fortnight. Join the Pride of Nottingham and subscribe to one of our tiers to support the site’s upkeep and future, ensuring we continue to bring you the best Notts County content.