ANYONE who has seen Swindon play since the turn of the year surely knew this day would come sooner rather than later.

Paolo Di Canio and his players swept all before them in the first few months of 2012, to the point that it was 'when' rather than 'if' they were going to win promotion once they got their noses in front for the first time.

Albeit they have not done so in the spectacular fashion many expected, highlighted by the fact the players were celebrating on the pitch at Priestfield following two successive defeats, but that should not detract from everything they have achieved.

Promotion is the perfect tonic at the end of a tough week for everyone at the club, with the events of last Saturday night now hopefully confined to history.

Not only have Swindon secured their place in League One by being by far the fittest squad in the division, but they have also played football that would not look out of place in the Championship, which is not something normally said about a League Two side.

Di Canio has assembled a group of players who work hard for each other and clearly know their roles, and has crafted a defence which, before the last two games, almost looked incapable of being pierced, backed up by an unflappable goalkeeper in Wes Foderingham.

While the goals of Paul Benson and the craft and guile of Matt Ritchie have caught the eye, there is no doubting the driving force behind promotion and the overwhelmingly positive vibes which circle the County Ground these days.

Di Canio has well and truly brought the good times back to a club which ended last season in the worst possible way, and has caught the imagination of a town in a manner surely no other man could.

His obvious affection for the club and its fans have endeared him to observers both locally and nationally, while any spectator seeing Di Canio at work for the first time leaves with his passion on the touchline firmly imprinted on their memory.

But away from football it has been a tough time for the Italian, and I think everyone has looked on in awe at the way he has conducted himself during a season in which he has lost both his father and his mother in the space of six months.

Thankfully that is something I am yet to experience, but I can’t imagine remaining as professional and dignified as Di Canio has, particularly in a job which is so firmly in the public eye.

The outpour of emotion towards him shows just how highly Di Canio is regarded in the town, which hopefully will continue for many years to come.

Now for the title...