Football History in Liddington

Did you know that the founder of Swindon Town Football Club is buried in All Saints Churchyard in Liddington?

The Rev William Baker Pitt established Swindon Town Football Club in 1879 to provide entertainment for the young men who were working in the railway factory in Swindon.   He then became vicar of All Saints Liddington where he served for the following 50 years.  He is buried in the churchyard together with his wife and beside his daughter.

On 17 September 2026, there was a small celebration to commemorate the significant contribution that William Baker Pitt made to Swindon and Liddington.

We were joined by a few Swindon Town Football Club representatives and also the Mayor of Swindon.  The event began in the village hall with a short presentation from Dick Mattick who is a trustee of the Swindon Town Football Club Museum.  This included an excellent short film produced by the museum which is available on YouTube.

We then went across to the church to understand the many aspects of Baker Pitt’s life represented in the church.  There are stained glass windows commemorating two of his children who died.  There is also a commemorative plaque on the organ and other tributes to him around the church.

In the churchyard we stood beside his grave (recently cleaned by Swindon Town Football Club) and there was a presentation to the Vicar from John Trollope who is the President of the Museum Trust.

Then it was back to the village hall for tea and cake!

Thanks to Dick Mattick and the Swindon Town Football Club Museum for commemorating this piece of local history.  Please do find the grave if you are walking through the churchyard.

Andrew Poppleton