Marc Williamson aka Funky is a long time 1st XI player and key member of the squad. It was only a matter of time before he took his chance to lead the team.

We spoke to Marc ahead of the new season, which start the first week of May.

“I’m very excited for the challenge ahead. I’ve been playing at Swindon since I was a junior at it’s a great honour and privilege to take on the captaincy. I’ve captained teams throughout my playing career and captaining the first eleven has always been something I’ve aspired to. Now, as one of the elder statesman in the team it feels like the time is right to step in the breach.

Winter training’s been going great, the numbers that have been able to turn up late in the evening at Croft has been really impressive. I’m fortunate that at Swindon we’ve got a very dedicated first XI, quite a few of the guys have been arranging netting sessions in the evenings now that we’re able to get outside.

Unfortunately, due to family commitments our Keeper Dan Harris informed us he wouldn’t be around to play every week this year, likewise the second team keeper Dan Baker is also taking a break. The combination of which left us in need of a new keeper. Fortunately, we had perfect replacement lined up in the form of Alex Bowles who’s been playing with the indoor team over the winter, he’s joined having played with Adam Tucker, Conor Taylor and Alex Kill at Shrivenham for a number of years.

I’m very much ready and raring to go now. Unfortunately I wasn’t available at the week as the guys got off to the perfect start with a win over Cirencester in preseason. Watching the updates come through was painful and there’s nothing quite like being involved in the action.

No one thing stands out in particular for the year ahead, just hopefully lots of victories.”

The 1st XI continue their preseason preparation this Saturday away to last years league winners Chippenham.