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After making nearly 130 League appearances for his home town club, Neil came to Swindon on a 'free'. But he swiftly moved on to Ireland having managed just three reserve games.

Steve made just one start in the reserve side at Chelsea in November 1997, after a couple of substitute appearances.

Anthony played in just four reserve games - his debut coming in a 6-2 home defeat to Arsenal in January 1997. His other three appearances were all in November of that year.

Roger, then 32, played in the 2-2 friendly draw with Tottenham, alongside Wayne Allison.

Nicky reached the subs bench for the reserves six months into his time as a trainee. But he was released without gaining a contract and spent most of his subsequent career in south Wales.

Matt was released after completing his term as trainee at the County Ground, but went on to have a 20-year career in non-League football.

Jimmy came to the County Ground on a two-match trial - appearing in successive 2-2 draws with the Combination side.

A former captain of Northern Ireland's under-15s, Ricky made his debut for the reserves in September 1998 when he came on at half-time against Queens Park Rangers with Town 0-4 down ! He helped his side stem the tide to just one more goal, but he saw an early bath following a clash with Vinny Jones !

Neil started the 1998/99 season with a brace in a 5-1 Combination win at Barnet. But he failed to realise his potential and was playing in the Wilts League Second Division by 2008.

The Austrian appeared in Town's first four pre-season friendlies, scoring three times. But there was little money available to boss Jimmy Quinn to allow him to make a reasonable contract offer.

Alex netted 28 goals for the youth and reserves sides during his second season as a trainee but boss Steve McMahon did not consider him ready for the first team.

Jens played on trial in a 2-0 reserves win at Oxford in Dec 1999. A Sweden under-21 international, he was still playing in 2020 at the age of 47.

Richard played on trial in Town's 2-1 reserves win over Portsmouth four months before being released by Forest.

Released at the end of his stint as a trainee, Stuart spent the remainder of his career in local football where he both enjoyed success and suffered from disciplinary issues. During his time at Pewsey in 2002, he was handed a 16-week ban - while in 2008/09 he was top scorer for Greenmeadow with 36 goals.

Mark was given a one-game trial whilst with Wolves, playing in a home Combination game against Norwich.

Roger turned out at centre-half for Town's reserves in a 1-0 home win over Luton.

The Moroccan was on show in a home Combination fixture against Norwich. He was on the scoresheet, but Town went down 2-1.

Given a one-match trial at right-back in a Combination fixture against Charlton.

One of a number of Merseysiders to go through the trainee process at Swindon while Steve McMahon was in charge, Phil went on to work for the Liverpool academy.

Paul came to the County Ground on a one-game trial - playing in Town's Combination fixture against Brighton.

Mark was on a weekly contract at Goodison when he was invited down on trial. He hit three goals in six reserve appearances but was unable to secure a permanent stay.

Matt played in Town's Combination home fixture - but played at Witney - against his former club Arsenal.

The former Town trainee quit playing at 28 to concentrate on coaching and was appointed assistant to M K Dons manager Paul Ince in 2009.

The Chelsea striker made two Combination appearances in three days for Town, scoring in a 1-1 draw with West Ham. The day after his second game, he agreed a loan move to the Goldstone !

Bernard's two-match pre-season trial was his only venture into the UK during his career. After being given an hour against Southampton, he lasted a full 90 minutes against Manchester United.

The younger brother of Gary - who made a couple of first team appearances for Town - Wayne was released at the County Ground without being offered a pro contract.

The son of Town's under-18's coach Tommy senior, he made just half a dozen reserve appearances after his two years as a trainee. He gained a BSc degree in Sports Science at the University of Surrey before moving out to Canada.