Dennis Wise’s STFC Stint Remembered

Roughly a year ago this time, Swindon Town were flying high in League 2 but popular boss Dennis Wise was already planning his exit from Wiltshire after less than 5 months in charge.

Wise had the Swindon players fitter than they had been in years. Players like Brezovan and Phil Smith who had been plucked from obscurity were blossoming for Town as well as the teams back 4 including new captain Ady Williams who joined Wise from Coventry City prior to the start of the 2006/07 season.

With Town winning their first 6 games and soaring at the top of League 2 opposing teams eyes were opening looking at the success that Town were enjoying under Wise` leadership.

Leeds United however, who were one of the favourites to get promoted back to the Premier League after losing in the playoff final to Watford, started off slow and shortly after the start of the season sacked manager Kevin Blackwell. Ken Bates who is the godfather of one of Dennis Wise`s kids soon was circling around the County Ground planning on taking good friend Wise from the County Ground to Elland Road.

According to an article in today`s Swindon Advertiser Wise demanded to fly to Monte Carlo to visit Bates and discuss the managerial job at Leeds United. General manager Mike Diamandis agreed and shortly thereafter an offer of £25K was made to Swindon but the club said “no deal” due to the amount being under the clubs valuation of Wise as a manager.

Leeds came back with an improved offer which was accepted. Dennis Wise along with Gus Poyet joined Leeds United and Town were left without a manager.

Fast forward to the end of the season Town hired the fantastic Paul Sturrock to lead Town to promotion whilst Dennis Wise got Leeds relegated to League One. How Ironic that Wise should return to the County Ground this season. Surly though it would be better to come back as a team that just got promoted and have that marked on your CV as opposed to being relegated.

Due to Wise` betrayal in leaving the club, Swindon fans now hate him for abandoning them and rate their hatred just behind that of Tommy Mooney who ran away to a little club down the A420, Oxford United.