1969 Football League Cup Final - Post-match

Post-match

Arsenal initially claimed that the heavy pitch and illnesses were a major contributing factor to the shock loss.

"I'm not attempting to make any excuses because I thought Swindon were terrific on the day, but six of us had flu and it didn't help that the pitch was cut up so badly. I certainly don't think the game would have gone ahead today. I performed very strongly for the 90 minutes but then when it got to extra-time my legs just went completely." Frank McLintock

However in recent years some players have identified the game as the impetus for Arsenal's later successes in the Inter-Cities Fairs Cup of 1970, their first European competition cup, and their first League and FA Cup double in 1971.

"It's never going to remain the happiest day of my life but I will go to the grave telling people that what we achieved in the years following that League Cup defeat we owe to Swindon. There were certain players who dropped by the wayside, but those who were part of the abuse we got from the London press – who thought there was no way we could lose to a Third Division side – used it as a spur." Bob Wilson

National newspapers reported the story the following day under headlines such as "The shame of Arsenal", for example:

"Arsenal, slaves of their own system, methodical but utterly predictable, were finally unhinged by the individual brilliance and flair of the Swindon stars — the small town Cinderellas whom cynics expected to lose to the North London favourites by a bucketful of goals."

"And there could have been a fourth to add to their goal total. A drive from Trollope was sailing into the Arsenal net when it struck the referee, and all Swindon got was a corner."

Swindon Town returned to Wiltshire to a heroes' welcome. On Sunday 16 March 1969, a crowd of 8,000 gathered in Regent's Circus, as the players emerged onto the balcony of the Town Hall. The Mayor, Alf Brown, raised a glass to the Club and called for "promotion" – which Swindon achieved after failing to lose any of their nine remaining matches. A draw at Rotherham United saw the Town move up into the Second Division.

Although League Cup winners, Swindon were ineligible for a place in the UEFA Cup of 1970. At the time the competition was only open to teams from Division One.

The Anglo-Italian and Anglo Italian League Cups were created in lieu of a proper European competition for the club to compete in. Swindon went on to win the Anglo-Italian League Cup in 1969 and the Anglo-Italian Cup in 1970.