Played for Both: Palace and Swindon Town connections

Club

18 Jul 2026

With Crystal Palace set to begin their 2026/27 pre-season campaign against Swindon Town this Saturday, we take a look back at the unique connections between the two clubs through the stories of five players who have worn both shirts.

The Eagles’ preparations for the new campaign begin this Saturday (18th July, 12:30 BST) against League Two opposition Swindon Town, with Pierre Sage taking charge of his first match as Palace manager.

The fixture will take place behind closed doors at the Academy, but supporters can watch the action live on Palace TV+, with kick-off scheduled for 12:30 BST.

A Palace TV+ subscription is included in all 2026/27 Gold, Junior Gold and International Membership and Season Ticket+ packages, granting access to live broadcasts of our pre-season matches, exclusive Premier League ticket access, digital matchday programmes and more. Explore our 2026/27 Memberships here.

There will also be coverage of the match across the official Crystal Palace App, cpfc.co.uk and our social channels.

Palace last faced Swindon competitively in the 2007 FA Cup third round, when goals from Shefki Kuqi and Jobi McAnuff secured a 2-1 victory for the Eagles.

And with former Eagles favourite Ian Holloway set to be in the Swindon Town dugout today, ahead of today's meeting, we revisit the careers of five players who have represented both Palace and Swindon Town!

Jonny Williams

(Palace 2011-19, Swindon Town 2021-23)

A product of the Palace Academy, Jonny Williams joined the club at the age of eight and quickly became one of the most exciting talents to emerge from SE25.

Making his first-team debut in 2011, the midfielder soon earned the nickname ‘Joniesta’ thanks to his technical ability and creativity.

Williams played an important role during Palace’s unforgettable promotion campaign in 2012/13, making 35 appearances and starting the play-off final victory over Watford at Wembley.

He was named Palace’s Young Player of the Season in 2013 and went on to make 12 Premier League appearances for the Eagles before departing in 2019.

Two years later, Williams joined Swindon Town, where he enjoyed an impressive spell with the Robins. He made 77 league appearances, scoring 15 goals and providing seven assists, while finishing as the club’s top goalscorer during the 2022/23 season.

Don Rogers

(Swindon Town 1961-72 / 1976-77, Palace 1972-74)

One of Swindon Town’s greatest ever players, Don Rogers joined the Robins as a 15-year-old in 1961 and would go on to become a club legend.

After turning professional a year later, the winger made more than 400 appearances across two spells at the County Ground, scoring 147 goals and helping Swindon secure promotion on two occasions.

Rogers was also part of the Swindon side that produced one of English football’s greatest cup shocks, defeating Arsenal 3-1 at Wembley in the 1969 League Cup final – scoring twice in the famous victory.

His performances in Wiltshire earned him a move to Palace in 1972, with former Swindon manager Bert Head bringing him to Selhurst Park for a club-record fee at the time.

A player who captured the imagination of supporters, Rogers’ flair, quick feet and goalscoring ability made him one of Palace’s most exciting talents of the era. He scored 28 goals in 70 appearances before moving on to QPR in 1974.

Bobby Woodruff

(Swindon Town 1958-64, Palace 1966-69)

Bobby Woodruff was one of several talented players to emerge from Swindon Town’s youth system during the 1960s, establishing himself as an influential figure at the County Ground.

A versatile midfielder who could also operate as a forward, Woodruff was renowned for his creativity, aerial ability and long throw – a weapon that helped create countless opportunities for his teammates.

He made 180 league appearances for Swindon, scoring 20 goals, and played a key role in their promotion-winning side of 1962/63 before moving on to Wolverhampton Wanderers.

Three years later, he reunited with former Swindon manager Bert Head at Palace, joining the Eagles in 1966.

Woodruff proved a major success in SE25, making 125 league appearances and scoring 48 goals. He was Palace’s top scorer during the 1968/69 season as the club secured promotion to the First Division for the first time in their history.

Fraser Digby

(Swindon Town 1986 [loan], 1986-98, Palace 1998-2000)

Goalkeeper Fraser Digby enjoyed a memorable spell with Swindon Town, becoming a key figure during one of the most successful periods in the club’s history.

Initially arriving on loan from Manchester United before making the move permanent, Digby helped the Robins achieve promotion and featured in their famous Wembley triumphs against Sunderland in 1990 and Leicester City in 1993.

He also played every match during Swindon’s only Premier League campaign in 1993/94, earning praise for his performances despite the club’s relegation.

After more than a decade with Swindon and over 400 appearances, Digby moved on to Palace in 1998.

The ‘keeper spent two seasons with the Eagles, making 70 appearances and becoming a dependable presence between the posts at Selhurst Park.

Jamie Vincent

(Palace 1993-96, Swindon Town 2006-09)

Palace were saddened by the passing of former Eagles defender Jamie Vincent in January 2022 at the age of 46.

A product of the Palace Academy, Vincent began his professional career at Selhurst Park and made 25 league appearances for the club between 1993 and 1996, laying the foundations for an 18-year career across the Football League.

The left-back went on to enjoy successful spells with Bournemouth, Huddersfield Town and Portsmouth, earning recognition for his performances and being named in the PFA Division Two Team of the Season in 1998/99.

Vincent later joined Swindon Town in 2006 after spells with several clubs, quickly becoming an important figure at the County Ground. He made 89 appearances for the Robins, helping Dennis Wise’s side secure promotion to League One during his first season at the club.

He would go on to serve as Swindon vice-captain under Paul Sturrock, making a further 52 appearances before departing in 2009.

Remembered fondly by supporters of both Palace and Swindon, Vincent’s career was defined by his commitment, consistency and longevity across the Football League.

Further connections:

While the list above (and indeed below) is by no means exhaustive, other players to have represented both clubs include:

Wayne Carlisle
Jimmy Glass
Calvin Andrew
James Dayton
Dean Parrett
Olly Lancashire
George Ndah
Cliff Jackson
Andy Frampton
Zeki Fryers
Darren Ward
Jonathan Obika
Paul Bodin
Terry Fenwick
Gareth Davies
Tony Finnigan
Wes Foderingham
Chris Francis

Match Details

Crystal Palace v Swindon Town
Friendly
Saturday, 18th July, 12:30 BST
Available only on Palace TV+

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