Since the first transfer deadline day on 31st August 2002, it has become a key date for millions of fans, but throughout it’s 12 years, Town aren’t normally anywhere to be seen.

But that changed this year, as Chairman Lee Power left it late to find some extra additions for Mark Cooper’s squad.

Striker Jonathan Obika and defender Jack Stephens signed for the club on a permanent deal and on loan respectively, while Louis Thompson made his big move to a recently relegated Premier League side.

Our lack of options up front has already cost Town valuable points this season, and hopefully we’ve found the man to end that frustration.

Jonathan Obika joins, Michael Smith, Andy Williams and George Barker as Town’s first team striking options.

With Barker still settling into playing first team football, Town couldn’t rely on Smith and Williams to play every game this season.

When the news broke about Obika signing for Town, the general consensus seemed to be a negative one, due to his poor loan spell at the club three years ago.

I’ll admit when I first heard the news I wasn’t immediately cracking out the champagne, but after reading more about the striker, I could see why Mark Cooper wanted to bring him to SN1.

Normally when you buy a 23-year-old striker who has played for a number of Championship clubs, scoring 25 goals in 69 starts and 66 substitute appearances, you pay more than £200K.

In the long term this will turn out to be another good piece of business done by Chairman Lee Power.

Along with Obika joining on deadline day was another former player, Jack Stephens.

The centre back had been Town’s number one transfer target over the summer after his superb spell at the club last season.

And with five minutes left on deadline day; the club finally got their man.

A back three of Jordan Turnbull, Nathan Thompson and Jack Stephens wouldn’t look out of place in the Championship, let alone in League One.

It’s a great looking line-up, with Josh Lelan and Raphael Rossi Branco being brought in as cover as the season roles on.

It does seem a little harsh dropping Rossi Branco from the starting eleven after his decent start to the season.

But with him only enjoying one full year of professional football so far in his career, it would be a risk to rely on him for 46+ games.

But the biggest deal was an outgoing, with the news that Louis Thompson was moving to Championship side Norwich City.

Thankfully, Louis will be returning to Town on loan for the rest of the season.

But despite being disappointed he’s no longer a Swindon player, it’s hard not to feel proud watching a homegrown player and Town fan move up the football pyramid and making huge progress in their career.

And with a reported fee of £600K rising to £1.3M, both parties have done well out of the deal.

But most importantly, he will be sticking around at the County Ground, where he’ll continue to be a key player in Mark Cooper’s side, and build on his impressive start to the season.

Overall, it has been a successful transfer window for Town.

Considering the wage bill has gone from one of the biggest in the division to now being in the bottom eight of League One in just two years, the caliber of players signed is still high, and the football has been entertaining to watch.

If you are someone who hasn’t been back to the club since the Di Canio era, I can’t promise you an eccentric Italian on the touchline, but I can ensure that you’ll be impressed with the football on display.

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