Paul Bodin reflects on how the pressure of Swindon Town's crucial play-off final penalty against Leicester City was no problem at all

ALL around him was tumult.

Nearly 74,000 people, not to mention a television audience numbering millions, were already digesting an astonishing 11-minute comeback from 3-0 down by Leicester City when, with around five minutes remaining, Swindon Town’s Steve White was sent sprawling and referee David Elleray pointed to the spot.

One goal, manned by the Foxes’ keeper Kevin Poole, 12 yards and one successful swish of his left boot was all that was standing in the way of Paul Bodin and probable Swindon sporting immortality.

Effectively the whole season on the line in that one moment. What goes through your mind?

“It’s funny because I get asked that question about the penalty a lot. I was the penalty taker for the season and I’d scored a few,’’ said Bodin.

“So, when we got the penalty I just thought it is my job now and my responsibility, so I was pretty confident.

“In all honesty, you don’t realise the relevance until the game is done. Obviously, you are trying to score but it’s not like we were playing badly and we were up against it.

“We played really well in the first half. They (Leicester) gave it everything to get back into it but then we got back on top of them and had a few more chances to score.

“We were still confident we could win the game.’’

For many a follower in red and white the moment was too much.

There were plenty turning away, watching through their fingers or, if not in the stadium, behind the sofa.

“When you talk to people they say they had to turn away or that they couldn’t watch so there were thousands of people who didn’t actually watch me take it,’’ added Bodin, who made just shy of 240 Town appearances in two spells, scoring 37 goals.

“Fortunately, the penalty went in. I had to mix it up so I used to put some high and some low.

“You look to the keeper and see which way he is going to go. Thankfully, I went low to his left and it went in.’’

“It put the icing on the cake for me and the team. I scored a lot of goals and we won a lot of games 1-0.’’

For several of the class of ‘93 – Bodin included – the subsequent 4-3 victory carried special resonance given the events of three years earlier, when Town were Wembley winners over Sunderland, only to see their Premier League prize snatched away by FA sanctions.

Naturally, among the spoils for the victors are a library of happy memories.

“All these magic moments in your career and you love to talk about them,’’ he added. “Wembley is up there, and is in the top three.

“Going to Wembley twice and making my debut for my country they are the huge highlights in my career.

“It (Wembley 1993) was one of the highest points in my career.

“We played at Wembley once in 1990 and then fortunately, playing some unbelievable football in 1993, we replicated that.

“The big argument was which was the better team, the 1990 or the 1993, and it is very difficult to decide.

“We had good players in both teams, but to have Glenn Hoddle in there, adding that extra bit of quality, playing out from the back in a different system, was big.’’

Like so many of the supporters, the homecoming in the aftermath of the win over Leicester sticks in memory for the 23-times capped Wales international, who is now among the coaching staff for Wales age-group squads.

“The players who played in 1990 witnessed it then,” he added. “I don’t remember much of that one but you certainly remember more the second time around, you take it all in.

“You’re not quite as nervous because you have been there once but no, when I was there you enjoyed it a bit more the second time.

“I don’t know if I could be a loser there (Wembley). I have watched Swindon lose there twice since and it’s a horrible place to go to and lose.’’

He added: “We really enjoyed it (the homecoming). I remember coming back after the game, getting back to the County Ground and it was packed with thousands and thousands of people.

“I had some photos and I can’t find them actually. Of people like Kevin Morris (former Town physio) and Eddie Buckley (former kitman), who had immaculate hair, not a hair out of place and the boys gelled his hair up in the air. He looked like he was out of Back to the Future.

“They’re great memories and great characters. When we went back to the club for the 25th anniversary dinner recently, even Glenn (Hoddle) remembered a few details and the characters.

“You have got to have characters at the club, people who have been there for a long time because that is what builds the team spirit. But I have many, many great memories.’’

Since that heady day on May 31, 1993, moments of genuine joy have been few and far between for Swindon fans.

A quarter of a century on from reaching the top of English league football, the club find themselves on the bottom rung.

Naturally, the achievements of Bodin and co at Wembley that day are still held in the highest regard.

“Whenever I am out in Swindon I still get people coming up to me in the street,’’ said the 53-year-old.

“Even if it’s in Asda on a Tuesday afternoon, people come up to me and it is a great feeling.

“Supporters are there forever. Players and managers come and go but the support will always be there.

“They have had some wonderful days, they never forget it and players who played in that team won’t forget it either.’’

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