IT was the dream partnership designed to haul Swindon Town out of the footballing backstreets and into the big time.

But the Brady, Todd bandwagon has come off the rails after only six months leaving the club in familiar crisis-like surroundings.

Todd's natural pull to the East Midlands was too much for him to refuse and as he met with Derby boss Jim Smith yesterday he left a shattered club in his wake.

As he goes off to fight a Premiership relegation dog-fight, Swindon must face up to the fact that they are in something of a pickle.

I have thought long and hard about Todd's decision to quit and still cannot make up my mind whether he has done the dirty on our football club.

There are two ways of looking at it.

You can see it from Terry Brady's eyes. He has spent in the region of £500,000 in signing 12 players for Todd over a five month period and really thought he had the man to bring him success.

Instead he finds his side in the bottom three of the table with a host of players brought in by a manager who has now jumped ship before we have even reached bonfire night.

I bet the fireworks were flying in his house on Tuesday night.

The other way to look at it is through the Todd eyes.

Here is a man who has a great reputation in the football management. He is a legend in Derby after leading them to two championships and playing a major part in their glory days of European football.

Having lived in Derby for a number of years I understand how highly they regard Mr Todd.

Although he was willing to join a second division side I always felt he was destined for bigger and better things.

He is going home, to the place where he enjoyed the best part of his career and where he will get a fabulous opportunity to work with a top flight club.

Would you turn that down? The blot on his copybook could be the way in which he went.

His announcement on Tuesday night was swiftly followed by a meeting in Derby yesterday afternoon. It has not gone unnoticed by Swindon and they will be seeking compensation for an illegal approach to their manager.

I think another major factor in Todd's decision was the faltering relationship he had with chairman Terry Brady.

Nothing was ever said in as many words but I got the impression behind closed doors that there was a little tension in the air during the latter days.

Town will now get their compensation and it will all be forgotten in a couple of weeks. That is the way it should be.

Swindon Town have moved quickly to give Andy King the chance to lift our spirits and it is very important that we all get behind him.

He is a great character and is, I understand, keen to do the job.

Here's looking to the FA Cup Third Round and a tie at Derby!