Sir Seton Wills: Man who saved Swindon Town FC, dies aged 83
The man who saved Swindon Town FC from bankruptcy has died, aged 83.
Sir David Seton Wills heavily invested in the club between 1991 and 2007 – including the year the club was promoted to the Premier League.
The club, now owed by Australian Clem Morfuni, said it was saddened to hear of the death of its former majority shareholder.
It said his support was critical in ensuring its survival from the threat of liquidation.
It added in a tweet: “Everyone at Swindon Town Football Club would like to extend their condolences to all of Sir Seton Wills’ loved ones.”
A notice posted in The Telegraph said Sir Seton is survived by his wife Gillian and children Sarah, James, Victoria and Alice. He was a grandfather of ten.
His funeral is due to take place in Ramsbury, Wiltshire, later in June.
Swindon Town FC are currently playing in League Two.
Match Report: Swindon Town 2-0 Walsall
Walsall’s four-match unbeaten run in the league came to an end against Swindon Town in a game where they had to battle with 10-men for the final third of the match.
Charlie Austin opened the scoring after just two minutes but the Saddlers regrouped and were well in the game but their task was made tougher when Tom Knowles was given a second yellow card and sent off in the second half.
Substitute Russian Hepburn-Murphy added a second late on as Swindon claimed all three points.
Mat Sadler made three changes to the team that started against Salford City last weekend.
Knowles returned from illness and Liam Gordon came back in after missing last weekend’s match representing Guyana on international duty.
Ross Tierney was also brought into the starting XI while David Okagbue, Jamille Matt and Joe Foulkes dropped out.
The Saddlers got off to the worst possible start and fell behind after just two minutes when Remeao Hutton’s cross was met by Austin who towered over everyone and headed the hosts into the lead.
After a shaky start, Walsall settled well and enjoyed a spell of possession but couldn’t fashion any clear cut opportunities.
Swindon had the ball in the net again on 21 minutes but Dan Kemp was offside and the goal was ruled out.
The Saddlers had a couple of opportunities late in the half as Oisin McEntee had a shot tipped over by the fingertips of Murphy Mahoney before Gordon flashed over from distance.
Walsall’s best chance of the half came on 41 minutes when Gordon did well to get to the by-line and cut the ball back to Freddie Draper who hooked a shot towards the bottom corner but Mahoney got down well to make the save and the Saddlers went in behind at the interval.
There was little between the two teams in the second half.
The Saddlers’ hopes of a comeback were made more difficult on 66 minutes when Knowles was sent off for a second bookable offence and were reduced to 10 men.
Following the red card, Sadler introduced Douglas James-Taylor, Aramide Oteh and Joe Riley as he shuffled the pack. He had also earlier brought on Danny Johnson.
The Saddlers battled well with 10 men and restricted the Robins to shots from distance as McEachran was denied by Evans before substitute Tyrese Shade fired wide.
Swindon eventually got a second when Gordon’s under-hit pass was ceased upon by Hepburn-Murphy and he slotted the ball home and the hosts took home all three points.
Evans; Knowles, Farquharson, Daniels, Allen, Gordon; McEntee (Riley 80’), Stirk (Johnson 61’), Hutchinson; Tierney (Oteh 80’), Draper (James-Taylor 71’)
Subs: Smith (GK), Okagbue, Matt
Attendance: 9,131 (641 away)
