The Bluebirds start their competitive season by hosting Swindon Town in the Carabao Cup this Saturday. City and the Robins have had several player links over the years and here are some of the most fondly remembered…
In Goal: Tom Heaton
Heaton came up through the Manchester United ranks and found himself as first choice for the United reserve side in the mid-late 2000s. His top form for the reserves earned him a loan to Swindon Town, where he made his professional debut in an EFL Cup match against Wycombe Wanderers. In only his second professional match, Tom saved a penalty against Yeovil Town’s Lee Johnson.
After returning to Manchester and spending some time on loan with Royal Antwerp in Belgium, Heaton was brought in on loan to be number one by Dave Jones at City for the 2008/09 season. He was an ever-present that term until an injury forced him out of the side; after a spell on the sidelines he came back in to see out the season as the Bluebirds just missed out on the Play-Offs.
Heaton returned to the Red Devils and was sent out on three more loan spells in the EFL. He found himself returning to City following the expiration of his contract with Manchester United and played a crucial part in our 2011/12 run to the EFL Cup Final. Tom made two saves in the semi-final penalty shootout against Crystal Palace and another against Steven Gerrard in the final shootout.
Following impressive Premier League spells with Aston Villa, Burnley and having earned three senior England caps, Tom is now back with his boyhood team Manchester United at the age of 40.
At the Back: Sean Morrison
Sean Morrison is a modern-day City icon and, similarly to Tom Heaton, his professional career also began in Wiltshire under Maurice Malpas, the Robins boss at that time.
Moz made his debut on April 26th, 2008, aged 17 against Gillingham. The following season he featured more in the Swindon Town side, scoring his first professional goal in a 2-0 victory over Oldham Athletic. His successful season earned him the club's Young Player of the Year award.
After his time with the Robins ended, Morrison made a move to Reading and spent time on loan with Huddersfield Town. In the summer of 2014, he made the decision that would shape the next decade of his career when he made the move to Cardiff City. Over his time with the Bluebirds, he played over 270 games and scored 33 goals from centre back. Morrison made his debut only four days after signing for the club in a win over Wigan Athletic, and former manager Paul Trollope named him his permanent captain for the 2016/17 season.
In the summer of 2017, Morrison signed a new three-year contract with the Bluebirds under new manager, Neil Warnock. In the 2017/18 season, Moz captained City to second place in the Championship and promotion, winning the City Player of the Season award. He captained City until his departure in 2023, establishing himself as a Bluebirds great.
From Midfield: Junior Hoilett
Just like Morrison, Junior Hoilett’s longest club spell at any club was with the Bluebirds, but he also spent a brief time with Swindon Town.
In 2016, Hoilett became Neil Warnock’s first signing for the Club on a short term deal. After he signed a one-year extension, Junior became an integral part of the City side that won promotion to the Premier League, scoring 12 goals in 50 appearances across that season. He was again a crucial player for Warnock after promotion, with one of his most memorable moments for the Club coming in a 2-1 comeback victory against Wolves in the top-flight.
After the expiration of his contract with City in 2021, Junior spent time with Reading, in the MLS in his home country of Canada with Vancouver Whitecaps and in Scotland. In February of this year, he joined up with Ian Holloway’s Swindon side on a short-term deal, making 14 appearances for the Robins and scoring a crucial goal with an injury time winner against Tranmere Rovers. He is now without a club following the expiry of his contract.
Up Front: Eoin Doyle
After an impressive start to the season in League One with Chesterfield in 2014/15, during which time he scored 25 goals, Eoin Doyle was signed by Russell Slade for City. He made his debut in a draw against Sheffield Wednesday and scored his first goal for the club against Birmingham City, as well as winning a penalty which was slotted home by Peter Whittingham. Doyle scored five goals in 16 games during the second half of that season but was sent out on loan to Preston North End the following year, where he went on to sign permanently.
Doyle spent time in League One before joining Swindon Town on loan from fellow League Two side Bradford City. He enjoyed a successful loan spell with the Robins, which included him being the first player to score in 11 consecutive games in the EFL since Jamie Vardy in Leicester City’s history making season. Doyle was recalled by Bradford City in January 2020, before being signed by Richie Wellens’ Swindon Town for the rest of their title winning term; he scored 25 goals and assisted three times before joining up with newly relegated side Bolton Wanderers at the start of the following campaign.