The most popular player in recent times at Swindon Town is without a doubt, Super Sammy Parkin.
Sam Parkin joined Swindon Town in August 2002 after a loan spell at Northampton Town where Parkin scored 5 goals in 40 appearances for the Cobblers.
Fans were unsure how Parkin would fare after previous loan spells failed to see him score many goals. Manager Andy King took a chance on Parkin and it soon paid off.
In Parkin’s League Debut he scored a hat trick to lead Town 3-1 over Barnsley to which the fans soon knew, they had something special on their hands.
Parkin was soon christened “Super Sammy Parkin”, a song that would be sung over the next 3 seasons. Parkin went on to score 25 goals in his first season at Swindon and finish 2nd in the PFA Division 2 Player of the Year.
Swindon Town finally had the striker they so badly needed, but prior to the 2003/04 season Manager Andy King decided to sign former Watford Man, Tommy Mooney who formed the best strike partnership in Division 2 with Parkin that season. Super Sammy would score one of the goals against Leeds United that put Town 2-0 up against the Premiership outfit. Sadly Town would lose 3-2 but Parkin proved his worth and soon clubs such as Queens Park Rangers and Sunderland came knocking at the doors, all looking to sign Parkin. Instead of leaving Swindon, Parkin committed his future to Swindon by signing a new contract in November 2003.
Parkin scored 23 goals in all competitions with Tommy Mooney scoring 20. The club went on to the playoffs that season, however it ended on a sour note. Swindon Town would be beat on Penalties at Brighton and Hove Albion. Parkin and Mooney were naturals together but hopes for a repeat of the 2003/04 success soon ended when Tommy Mooney decided to leave Swindon Town after a contract dispute and sign with local rivals Oxford United.
Expectations were high for the next season, Parkin had made it clear that this season, Swindon Town would have to go one better, as he wanted to play at a higher level. At the start of the 2004/05 campaign, Parkin was partnered with Rory Fallon, who had been a super-sub for Swindon the previous season. Andy King figuered Fallon’s late form could carry into the current season and replicate the partnership of Parkin and Mooney. It came no where close. By the end of the season Fallon was sent on loan to Yeovil Town who were dominating League Two. Town sat mid table in early September so Andy King brought in Gillingham Striker Darius Henderson on loan for a month. Henderson and Parkin appeared to be dream partners with Henderson scoring 5 goals in a month at Swindon, the goal scoring burden was off of Parkin. Seeing the potential of such a potent strikeforce Swindon Town looked to have secured Henderson as a permanent signing. The board showed ambition by agreeing a £100,000 fee with Gillingham, however Henderson’s agent would kill the deal and Swindon Town called it off after Henderson’s agent demanded a hefty sum for sorting out the deal.
To replace Henderson, Swindon Town bought striker Christian Roberts from Bristol City for £50,000. Parkin and Roberts got off to a good start together against Hull City and Sheffield Wednesday. The club finally appeared to be putting the final pieces of the puzzle together. Fans knew that unless Swindon Town got promotion this season, Sam Parkin would no longer be at Swindon Town. Town suffered a blow when new striker Christian Roberts got in a car accident and had a hernia operation. Parkin would go on to score 23 goals that season, however the writing was on the wall after Town lost 3-1 to AFC Bournemouth. The club would not be making the playoffs and thus no promotion, that Parkin craved. Parkin always said that he wanted to play in the Championship but with Swindon Town. It was his dream, however as Town slumped to a dissapointing 12th in the table he had spoken to Sky Sports and other news outlets stating he wanted to play at a higher level and that he would have to listen to other offers.
Parkin’s final season at the club he played for Scotland’s future team, qualifying through his mother, despite playing for England previously at the Youth Level. Parkin also won player of the year from supporters groups and local newspapers.
At the close of the season, The Swindon Town board finally accepted an offer to sell Sam Parkin to Ipswich Town. Parkin was no longer a Swindon player but has been seen at Swindon games a couple of times since leaving the club. Parkin still loves Swindon Town and we can assure Sammy, Swindon Town still loves you.
Sam Parkin’s Swindon Town Career
League Appearances: 122 (4)
League Goals: 68
FA Cup Appearances: 6
FA Cup Goals: 0
League Cup Appearances: 4 (1)
League Cup Goals: 3
Other Appearances: 3 (2)
Other Goals: 2
