1 week Ago
Swindon signed Bycroft on a permanent deal from Southampton in January 2024, and he instantly became the club’s number one. After a solid first half season with the club, the 23-year-old admitted this year has been more difficult for him, initially vying with Dan Barden to start and now having generally been the understudy to Connor Ripley. Town currently only have Redman Evans as a goalkeeper contracted for next season, with both Ripley and Bycroft up in the air.
GO DEEPER: Swindon Town players with contracts on the line in run-in When asked about his contract situation after the 4-0 win over Fleetwood Town at the weekend, Bycroft said that he definitely wanted to remain with the club he grew up supporting. He said: “He [Ian Holloway] has managed over 1000 games, he has seen loads of different scenarios and done pretty much everything there is to do. “When you have someone like that telling you these stories, you want to grab it, and you want to work hard for him.
“There are things he has felt we haven’t done, and we are all chasing as he dangles the carrot, so if we can pull together, then we will all look forward to planning for next year. “Everyone can see that I love it here, and there have been a few conversations had, but nothing yet. Swindon tend to do it at the end of the season anyway.
“If I can’t affect it yet, then I will play well, train well, try and be a good person around the place. "That is just me, I like to be happy. There is no point in being frustrated and worrying about things you can’t impact.
“I enjoy being here, and there is no reason why I would want to go anywhere else.” Ripley previously explained how he would like to remain at Swindon next season, although his family commitments would have to factor into where he plays. Bycroft said that he was hoping to be able to prove that he could be the starter moving forward, as he has not enjoyed sitting on the bench.
He said: “I was frustrated, as you would be, I want to play; I don’t just want to sit here on the bench, as I love playing for this football club. “The gaffer [Holloway] and Mildy [Steve Mildenhall] have seen that I have been working on those bits, and then when I was called, it paid off. “I would be lying if I said that I didn’t think I would have a chance towards the end of the season; I thought that one way or another I would do everything that I can off the pitch to work my way back into the team and then prove what I can do.
“I have hated being out. I have no interest in sitting on the bench and not playing, but I have learned a lot, and it has still been good for me.”.
