OUR former manager Ossie Ardiles is hopefully well on the way to recovery after his recent car accident in the Falkland Islands.

Ossie, along with fellow World Cup winner Ricky Villa, sustained minor injuries and we wish them well.

The news, though, sparked many memories of the diminutive midfield genius. First of all the shock of learning that the Town had landed Ossie as manager at the end of the 80s.

Then the way he stamped his mark on Lou Macari's super fit side. I doubt anyone who watched Andy Rowland's pre-season testimonial with West Ham will ever forget the style of football we were to watch over the next couple of years.

“Ossie's Samba Boys” they were called, as they produced silky soccer and eventual promotion (before demotion, sadly).

It just so happens we got a glimpse of things to come this weekend 34 years ago.

You might remember a Tottenham side visiting the County Ground in an FA Cup fourth round tie. As it turned out there was another future Swindon boss there that day in the shape of Glenn Hoddle.

Ricky Villa also played for Spurs in arguably one of the most talented sides ever to come to Town. Times have changed.

On that day over 25,000 crammed into our ground just days after a similar number were there for a League Cup semi-final against Wolves.

Swindon claimed a goalless draw against Tottenham and narrowly missed out in the replay 2-1 despite a Ray McHale penalty giving us the lead.

Ardiles and Hoddle, two names that changed Swindon Town forever with the way they played their football.