A DRAMATIC one-goal win over Leicester City in the 1993 Football League First Division play-off final prompted former Swindon Town boss John Gorman to rule his heart over his head.

Gorman, who acted as Glenn Hoddle’s number two during the 1992/93 season which saw Swindon earn promotion to the top flight, could’ve ended his time at Town on a high following the club’s 4-3 win against Leicester 25 years ago at Wembley.

The 68-year-old was offered the assistant manager role at Chelsea by Hoddle, who moved to the London-based club in the wake of Town’s promotion.

But he declined the role, adding he was touched by the Town’s reaction to the club earning promotion to the top flight.

“My heart ruled my head, I have to admit,” said Gorman.

“I was tempted by the Chelsea job, but I didn’t want to go if I’m to be honest.

“When Glenn (Hoddle) said he was going to go, I said the next manager would be ‘right in it’.

“And, of course, it turned out to be me.”

Gorman, who is now retired but produces football and landscape paintings to sell, admitted his side did it the hard way - not only in the play-offs, but also in the league itself.

Twenty-one wins from 46 games ensured Town finished inside the play-off frame by six points before a 5-4 aggregate win against Tranmere book a spot at Wembley.

And Gorman knew – following the Tranmere game – that promotion was in the bag.

He said: “When we knew we’d reached Wembley, we knew we were going to go up. We were very confident.

“It was one of them where we were disappointed not to grab an automatic promotion spot. I can remember that disappointment.

“When we came back on the bus we realised how many fans we had.

“They were always good fans, they loved the style of football.

“And that’s why, even when Glenn left, we played this style of passing out from the back.

“We probably lost goals because of that (in the Premier League).

“I think the fans will appreciate it was no mean achievement to reach the Premiership, it’s difficult to say whether it will happen again.”

The football club marked the anniversary of Town’s promotion by hosting an evening of celebration, and the night offered Gorman the chance to catch up with many of his ’93 squad – who he remains in contact with.

Gorman said: “It was great to go back to that evening and speak with everyone.

“I keep in touch with Paul Bodin most, he’s been fantastic.

“Colin Colderwood, we’re very much in touch because he’s still in the game.

“The other one is Dave Mitchell, even though he’s in Australia we email each other regularly and I plan to go over there soon and stay with him for a couple of nights.

“Nick Hammond too, I see him around and the others.”