PHIL Brown wants his players to take inspiration from celebrations marking the 25th anniversary since Swindon Town earned promotion to the Premier League, ahead of Saturday’s game against Grimsby Town.

Town legends including Glenn Hoddle, Dave Mitchell and Fraser Digby will be part of a celebratory dinner on Friday ahead of Saturday’s must-win match against the Mariners.

And Brown wants his men to aim high when it comes to playing on the field, adding teams that don’t push for the top will fail to progress forward.

He said: “We have a big celebration before the game with it being 25 years since the club qualified for Premier League status.

“That for me is a sign of where we’re at now and where we were 25 years ago.

“It’s an ambition everyone at the football club has to have (to get into the Premier League).

“Just because we’re a second division club, if you don’t have the ambition to get to the top flight, you’ll never get further forward.

“There are some shining examples of clubs that have been in the second division and are now in the Premier League with good management off the field of play.

“Brighton and Bournemouth spring to mind.”

Brown’s call comes after Swindon’s frustrating 2-1 loss at Newport County, which leaves Town four points short of sixth and seventh placed Lincoln City and Coventry City – who both have a game in hand – in the race for the League Two play-offs.

It means Swindon, realistically, must win their remaining three games.

With an away trip to Colchester United and a home tie against already promoted Accrington Stanley to come, Brown is targeting a big three points at the Energy Check County Ground this weekend.

And after handing Scott Twine his debut against Yeovil Town just over a week ago, Brown hinted that teenager Joe Romanski could also appear after impressing the manager on the training field.

Brown said: “When I look at centre halves, I want desire, commitment and someone to wear the shirt with pride.

“That’s something that I’ve seen in Joe. He puts the shirt high on his priority list. Joe has that natural propensity to go on the left.

“As a centre half or a left back he gives me good options.

“There are one or two reasons why Joe has been drafted into the squad, but we’ve worked out one or two things tactically as well.

“We might have a little change in plan. In my seven games so far, we’ve stuck with 4-4-2.

“It’s worked in certain phases and stages of the game. But there are other examples where it hasn’t.”

Several players could be missing on Saturday as Brown continues to nurse a series of injury problems.

“Kaiyne Woolery is struggling for Saturday,” said Brown.

“Olly Lancashire is another doubt for the game, he’s probably 50/50.

“They’ll be no Luke Norris, and Kellan Gordon is back at Derby.

“But sometimes you’ve got to make changes, you’ve got to make a statement.”