Swindon Town have made a significant change to their training arrangements this week, returning to their base at Beversbrook. Manager Ian Holloway confirmed the move after the team's 3-1 victory over Colchester United, as reported by the Swindon Advertiser, outlining both immediate plans and a long-term vision for the club's facilities.
The decision follows a three-week period where the squad trained at the Nigel Eady County Ground, their home stadium. An investigation had previously identified that hard pitches at their normal training location were a contributing factor to the club's injury issues this season, which have affected 20 players. After exploring several options, the club has opted to go back to Beversbrook, where they hold a multi-year contract and have sole access to around two-thirds of the building.
What are the immediate plans for Beversbrook?
Holloway is already looking to make changes to the space at Beversbrook to create a better environment for his players. Most of the area is currently taken up by changing rooms, with only a small communal area featuring a few tables and a pool table available. The manager described the dressing room as massive and said everyone can enjoy changing there, but he wants to improve the communal facilities.
He has tasked skipper Ollie Clarke with helping to sort the big room, potentially by taking doors out of the way and folding them back. Holloway also mentioned he will probably buy second-hand furniture from charity shops to make the space more comfortable. "We need to make sure it's a comfortable place while players do their work," Holloway said. The aim is to build a strong team bond, which he believes is vital for on-field success.
Why can't they stay at the County Ground?
The temporary switch to the Nigel Eady County Ground was enjoyed by the squad and helped them bond as a group. However, continuing to train there was not a sustainable option. Prolonged use would cause long-term damage to the pitch, which is obviously unacceptable for matchdays. This forced the club to find an alternative, leading them back to the Beversbrook facility for the foreseeable future.
Holloway stated clearly, "Short term, and it'll be relatively long term, we're going back to Beversbrook." The club will now remain at this location while they work on a more permanent solution. This comes as Swindon Town prepare for their next League Two fixture against York City on Saturday, looking to build on a final 2025 table position of 9th with 75 points.
What is the long-term goal for training facilities?
While the return to Beversbrook provides a solution, Holloway has a clear ambition for the club's future. "Ideally, long term, we need our own training ground," he admitted. "I don't think that's gonna materialise yet." This shows a longer-term strategic need for Swindon Town to secure a dedicated, permanent training complex that they fully control.
The manager's focus on environment extends beyond just physical space. He emphasized the importance of squad unity, stating that players need to become great friends who don't want to let each other down. He wants a culture where if a player is in the team and another is not, the one out of the side will still help their teammate perform at their best. Holloway said he has a lot of work to do with the squad but expressed pride in their recent efforts.
How does this fit with the current season?
The training base change occurs as Swindon Town reflect on a season where they scored 70 goals but conceded 59, finishing with a +11 goal difference. They ended the campaign 12 points behind leaders Bromley in the title race. The club's recent form was LLDLW. Improving the training environment is seen as a key step in building a more consistent and resilient squad for future challenges. You can view the full standings from last season and check the upcoming fixtures on the club's official pages. The immediate focus is fully on the York City match this weekend, with the team now settled into their revised training routine at Beversbrook.
