A FOOTBALL revolution took place in Swindon on March 18, 1950, at about 4pm.

Normally, we think of soccer's most radical notions being born on Ajax's training ground, Rio's beaches or inside Anfield's boot room, but this one took place a lot closer to home. And it wasn't on the pitch.

An RAF officer named Charles Reep, frustrated by Swindon's impotent attacking, took out his notebook and recorded all of Town's efforts in the second half.

In that moment, on that County Ground seat, a revolution in football data and analysis began.

Since Reep recorded that win over Bristol Rovers, football has changed forever by the numbers soaked through it, like Deep Heat seeping through a sock; annoying some, helping others.

Measurement has become vital in everything from player recruitment to tactics and training.

While Town's connection to Reep is interesting, it becomes more relevant today as we quiver at the terrifying prospect of a football-free weekend.

Faced with a blank Saturday, fans are already burrowing in the data trying to predict what happens next.

Can Town stay at the top? The websites buzz with speculation and omens.

Will they fall away as Tranmere once did and what happens if someone is sold?

The data seems to offer clues too.

A few clicks and you can find out that Swindon have the highest average possession in League One (58.23%) and Wes Foderingham faces the lowest average number of shots per game.

It's fun, but not to be taken too seriously.

For, despite all of the work done since Reep, there is still no truly accurate way to predict matches.

Even its creator got it wrong.

Despite logging thousands of games, Reep miscalculated, became ignored, adrift and advocating the most horrible hoofball.

So during the weekend ahead, fill in your predictions and calculate the points to come at Deepdale and Oakwell.

But remember there is a reason that betting on football is so popular with bookies.

To find out what happens we are just going to have to watch it unfold. And, I bet it will be thrilling, or so it says in my notebook.