Released Swindon player speaks on ‘wasted’ season, frustration, and Ian Holloway’s spontaneity

Released Swindon player Billy Bodin speaks on having a ‘wasted’ season, players expressing frustration and Ian Holloway’s spontaneity.

In an interview with BBC Radio Wiltshire, he revealed that his fellow teammates would sometimes be left in the dark regarding who had made the starting XI, not knowing until the day of the game.

He said the manager Ian Holloway would make keep making changes to his side throughout the week, leading up to matchday.

They were top of the table twice, spent much of the season in the top 7, were 2nd after 33 games played, then bottled it, missing out on the playoffs on the final day of the season, finishing 9th.

FOOTBALL : Fascinating @Official_STFC insight from @BillyBodin9 with dad Paul (Wembley legend) & @talkinghawes – what do you think? #STFC #BBCFootball #BBCEFL https://t.co/2U0TZYCL5y

— BBC Wiltshire Sport (@BBCWiltsSport) May 27, 2026

Bodin said: “The team would change throughout the week.

“You would work on something for three or four days, then you would come in on Thursday and things had changed, then again on Friday, and again on Saturday.

“I think I started 12 games, six of them I didn’t know about until the day of the game. There were times I came in at 1.30 on Saturday for the game and found out I was back in the team.

“I don’t know if the manager worked like that in the past, but as players you definitely want to have two or three days working on a shape, working on a formation, working on a team.

“That probably didn’t help. It didn’t help me. You want that re-assurance two or three days before that you can get to grips with the players you are playing with.

“Sometimes something wasn’t working on the training pitch and you would come in the next day and it was all change.

 

“One of the most frustrating things as a player is when you have a couple of good games and then next time around you are in the stands. You want that momentum and that consistency, and you can never get that if you’re just chucked in here and there.

“As a player it felt like a different vibe and feeling after Christmas.

“The style of play changed, and that was a big impact, even though we kept picking up points and wins.

“I don’t think we could have sustained those points playing the way we were, so it was disappointing all round.”

Bodin said during a meeting, Holloway got emotional when having to inform the player that he had been released.

He continued: “Usually a few days after the last game you get told a time to come in and have a meeting, have a good chat.

“For the first time in my career the manager actually got upset and told me he was sorry for wasting a season of my career.

“I understand football sometimes and it can be cruel. I could see it coming anyway. It’s never nice.

“I’ll dust myself down and hopefully try and get a club in the near future.”

Here’s how fans reacted as the released Swindon player Billy Bodin speaks on ‘wasted’ season, frustration, and Ian Holloway’s spontaneity…

@DeanJames8: Great insight, just confirms the lack of organisation we saw on the pitch! How can we trust Holloway to recruit and organise a team next season. Shambles

@TrevorSTFC: If you think Holloway is the right man you need to give your head a wobble and listen to this. #stfc

@MMunch31229: Billy always talking sense as usual.

@CharlieStfcc: Contracted players laughing at ollie bc billys revealed it all 😂😂 #STFC

@PaulCottle: Makes you wonder why the likes of Clarke taff have agreed to stay

@01ziddy: Billy who also picked up his wages and did absolutely fuck all in 99% of the games he played. Claimed it was great to be back at his hometown club and nothing, could hardly be bothered to run. Heart has nothing to do with tactics

@Sawf74: I’ve never disliked a manager as much, his off pitch behaviour takes him past Sheridan in the shithouse stakes for me. 12th and 9th place finishes in div 4 and behaves like he does. Do me a favour.

@ChisieWeirdo: The awful way he talks to the BBC & about the supporters in public, I’ve always thought it likely he might behave even worse towards some of his players in private. The bloke’s constantly angry with everyone apart from himself & Morfuni

@Flowergirl0404: This is a really good insight to what went on last season #stfc

@joemerriman_: Teams changed throughout the week, lack of prep – all not a surprise, but also explains why we were so poor. Only going to piss off the fringe players / players in and out the side

@WarwickshireRed: So basically the dinosaur pissed everyone off… sounds like a lost dressing room to me. #STFC

@ChisieWeirdo:
It certainly frustrated many of the supporters
Because it was clear that approach was not having successful results.
But still the manager persisted with it until the very last game.
Deluded or just plain stubborn beyond sanity?

@Mr_Liebour: It showed. The players looked like they didn’t have a clue what was expected of them. Entirely on Holloway. Then he’d get frustrated and moan people weren’t doing what they wanted. They didn’t know. For his and our sake, he needs to step back, he ain’t changing his ways.

@SwindonSparkle: It was puzzling to see as a spectator but it was all part of IH master plan!