HAVING been the standout team in League Two this season, Town deserve their promotion back at the first attempt.

That was a must at the start of the campaign and it’s been delivered with some brilliant performances and an incredible home record that includes only conceding eight league goals.

In typical Swindon style it wasn’t straightforward and it was a shame they limped over the line these last few weeks.

Issues off the pitch – with players going out for a celebration drink after the Plymouth game – have had an effect on the end of our season.

Manager Paolo Di Canio also made a number of big changes for both key games at Aldershot and Gillingham, which did cost us points.

But you cannot blame Di Canio for taking the action he did after setting such high standards for his players throughout the rest of the season.

The fact that he was even at the Aldershot game just five days after the passing of his mother was an incredible sign of his unwavering professionalism and passion towards the club.

As it turns out, it was that same professionalism and passion that kept Di Canio at the club six weeks previously, the manager revealing he had come close to resigning.

Any talk of Paolo leaving immediately strikes fear into Town fans, but thankfully he also said his long term thoughts are now firmly on making Town a Championship club again.

He and chairman Jeremy Wray have set the target of two seasons to reach the second tier of English football and it was encouraging to hear the chairman say the board would back Paolo with whatever he needs to make that happen.

A win over Port Vale on Saturday will guarantee them a first league title in what will, hopefully, be a long Di Canio era.