McGovern: My Leeds United regret WHEN he recalls his one and only opportunity to join Leeds United, Jon-Paul McGovern sees himself as a victim of circumstance.
McGovern was without a contract when Kevin Blackwell invited him to an extended trial with Leeds in the summer of 2006, but the appeal of the opening he saw at Thorp Arch was blurred by the offer of a substantial deal with MK Dons.
The midfielder knew Blackwell from a previous spell at Sheffield United, and he warmed to the sound of life in Leeds. His recent departure from Sheffield Wednesday had been bitter and disheartening.
But McGovern had a mortgage to pay, and the contract with MK Dons was on a plate. He made his mind up quickly and left Yorkshire for Milton Keynes, declining Blackwell's offer with thanks. Two years later, it is a decision that leaves him asking questions of himself.
The 27-year-old saw a glimpse of what might have been when he played in Swindon Town's 2-1 defeat at Elland Road in November, before a crowd of almost 28,000.
On Saturday, his path will cross United's for a second time at the County Ground where Swindon will attempt to record their first victory over Leeds since 1990.
McGovern does not resent the circumstances that forced his hand in 2006 and he still believes he had no choice to make. But his rejection of Blackwell and Leeds is tinged with regret.
"That's one of the few times in my career that I look back on and think 'what if?'," he said.
"I'd worked with Kevin Blackwell before. He was someone I liked and he was making all the right noises about me coming to Leeds. I think he just wanted to check my fitness.
"But I was out of contract for the first time and at the back of my mind there was a worry that I'd be left high and dry at the end of the trial.
"Leaving Sheffield Wednesday bitterly disappointment me – I've always felt it was down to politics inside the club – and the summer was difficult.
"I went on holiday with my family, but my mind was elsewhere. You're forever looking at your phone and waiting for it to ring. It's a case of 'does anyone want me?'
"Before I knew it, Leeds were offering me a trial and MK Dons were offering me a long-term contract.
"It doesn't sound very romantic but I had a mortgage to pay and my future to think of, and MK Dons had big plans. It made sense to take their offer.
"There's a little bit of regret there, but it was the sensible decision. They're not always the easiest ones to make."
Concern in Blackwell's mind over McGovern's fitness was inevitable after his second season at Hillsborough, in which he made only eight appearances.
The midfielder developed a problem with discs in his spine, and still blames a premature comeback for the punctured year which followed.
He also resents the injury-prone reputation that has stalked him since; last season he made 52 appearances for MK Dons, and he has completed more than 30 for Swindon over the past six months having signed for Paul Sturrock on the final day of the summer transfer window.
Swindon were once a Premiership club, far back in 1994, and though Sturrock saw them promoted from League Two last season, McGovern can sense the mild impatience of supporters who have known better days.
But there is, he concedes, no comparison with the frustration felt by the masses who packed the terraces at Elland Road for Swindon's visit in November.
"Leeds are like Nottingham Forest in this division," McGovern said. "Both looks completely out of place.
"From week-to-week, we play in front of crowds of maybe six or seven thousand, and then you go to Elland Road and there are almost 30,000 supporters there. It's crazy.
"When you look at it like that you can understand why people say the game is their cup final. It's an experience you get once a season if you're lucky.
"But it doesn't surprise me that a lot of teams have played well at Elland Road this season because the place inspires you.
"As soon as I got there I thought 'I'll have a piece of this'. We all did. The last thing you want is to look as if you can't cope with the atmosphere.
"That's when players are most concerned about making a name for themselves, and Leeds have to deal with that every second weekend. It can't be easy."
It is perhaps so demanding that an escape from Elland Road this weekend may suit Gary McAllister and his players.
The club have dropped points in all of their last four home matches, to the displeasure of the watching crowd, and Leeds are residing close to Swindon in a position which will soon resemble mid-table without a noticeable improvement in their results.
Swindon have an encouraging home record of eight wins and four draws from 16 matches, and McGovern who, ironically, has been overcoming a hip problem this week admits he and his team-mates are quietly confident.
Swindon expect the attendance at the County Ground to near the capacity of around 15,000, a standard welcome for Leeds in League One but a novel experience for their hosts.
"A crowd of that size at home is a bit of a new experience for us," said McGovern. "It's massive support, and we should thrive on that.
"Clubs are always looking for more fans to come through the turnstiles, and it's no good under-performing when they do. It's a big occasion and I hope we rise to it."
YEP
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jon-Paul_McGovernhttp://www.swindontownfc.premiumtv.co.uk/page/ProfilesDetail/0,,10341~22540,00.html
