Ian Holloway Stresses Urgency for Victory in His 1,000th Managerial Match

Ian Holloway is set to manage his 1,000th match in English football this weekend as Swindon faces Grimsby. The Swindon manager expressed that he likely needs to secure a victory in this milestone game “more than any other one so far.” His team, known as the Robins, will host Grimsby on Saturday. Since Holloway assumed his role on 26 October, Swindon has recorded only one win in six League Two fixtures, placing them two points clear of the relegation zone. At 61 years old, Holloway will become part of what he previously described as “an elite group,” comprising 26 Englishmen who have achieved this significant coaching landmark. Speaking to BBC Radio Wiltshire, Holloway stated, “It is a wonderful thing to sit back and look at but it doesn’t matter now, I need to get on and try and win the next game.” He further emphasized the importance of the upcoming match, adding, “This 1,000th game I probably need to win more than any one I’ve had so far.” Holloway’s managerial career commenced in 1996 at his hometown club, Bristol Rovers. His achievements include guiding Crystal Palace to the Premier League in 2010 and Blackpool to the Premier League in 2013, both through the play-offs. He also led Queens Park Rangers to the Championship in 2004, also via the play-offs. His management history also features tenures at Plymouth Argyle, Leicester City, and Millwall. His most recent position prior to joining Swindon was with Grimsby, Saturday’s opponent, a role that concluded in 2020. Holloway commented on the select group of managers who have achieved this feat, stating, “There’s not many people who have already done it and when you look at the names who have done it, what they’ve had is a passion and belief and enough nous to keep going.” He estimated the time commitment, saying, “I worked out that’s at least 7,000 days [of my life] – there might be three games in a week but it’s not always that and there’s pre-seasons as well which you do.” Holloway further reflected on his entire involvement in the sport: “When you add up my football career as well as my playing career, that’s at least 14,000 days. It’s an awful large part of your life.” Holloway recounted his vivid memory of his debut in the dugout for Bristol Rovers’ home game against Peterborough United, which resulted in a 1-0 victory. He remarked, “I don’t feel any different than I did then, it’s weird.” He continued, “I still feel like I felt then which is marvellous. The older you get things start to pile up on you but I don’t feel like that. In here I feel as fresh as a daisy but it is a wonderful thing to sit back and look at.” He further mused, “If I could unravel it all – you know the old films that the BBC have got in their archive – if you could roll that out if it was all on one reel when would it stop?”