SIMON Cox has a thousand good reasons to sign off from the County Ground in style with a family wager set to hand him a very profitable start to 2008.
The Reading loanee grabbed his eighth goal since signing for Town at the end of August in Saturday's spirited 2-1 win over Hartlepool and is now setting his sights on reaching double figures before his New Year farewell in just three games time.
Cox revealed a bet between him and his father will land him a £1,000 windfall if he scores 10 goals before the end of his loan spell and, while insistent it is results that really matter, admits it would be an ideal festive bonus.
Boss Dave Byrne vowed to do everything in his power to extend Cox's stay in Wiltshire but, after another irrepressible performance, interest from Championship clubs could scupper his attempts.
"I still don't have a clue what my future has in store," said Cox. "I am still in limbo and will probably be the last person to be told.
"I am sure with performances like that there will be someone wanting me, I hope. Swindon is always an option, any club is an option. As long as there is football out there I want to be playing it. I am no different to anyone else.
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"I don't want to be sat on the sub's bench, I don't want to be just a squad member. I want to be in the 11 playing every week and performing like I did today. New Year's Day is the last game so at least I will get a proper chance to say goodbye to the fans."
With an expectant home crowd looking to welcome the Andrew Fitton era with a League One win, Ian Moore's first-half opener threatened to destroy the party atmosphere. But, with six changes to the side that crumbled to Brighton a week ago, Town were made of sterner stuff with Cox and a Barry Corr penalty giving their long-suffering fans an early Christmas present and ending a run of three straight league defeats.
Skipper Hasney Aljofree led by example after declaring himself fit for selection despite having spent the last couple of days on his sickbed, while Cox, Lee Peacock and Barry Corr also put in big performances.
Stand up if you love Fitton', One Andrew Fitton' and We've got our Swindon back' were just a few of the songs sung to celebrate the eventual end of a financially disastrous regime.
On the field the players responded. The only blot on the afternoon was a hamstring injury picked up by second-half substitute Ady Williams, lasting just four minutes in his first appearance of the season.
"We sometimes have had a bit of an excuse for ourselves with all the things that have been going on behind the scenes," said Cox.
"Performances were not going well but now the takeover has happened we will kick on.
"Fair play to the crowd, they really played their part today.
"They were noisy all the way through so we are back in this. We are not going to give up.
"We are in mid-table at the moment but with so many games coming up, it can always push you back up towards the play-offs."
Cox himself had a hand in both goals after Hartlepool's scrambled 45th-minute opener and by the end the victory could and should have been even more comfortable.
Craig Easton was a relieved man after his embarrassing scoop over the bar from just yards out was not more costly while Billy Paynter should have added to his tally, dragging wide after racing clear.
Cox's equaliser came from the move of the match, with the striker meeting Miguel Comminges' superb low cross to stroke the ball home. The winner came from the penalty spot after Corr had been brought down by Michael Nelson following Cox's clever through ball, the Irishman dusting himself down to net the winner.
"The bet with my old man that if I get 10 goals he will give me a grand is a bit of an incentive.
"That is why I was begging for the pen.
"I have to get two in three but as long as Swindon keep winning that is all that really matters to me
"Baz (Corr) has been crying about his back quite a bit, but no, fair play to him, he is a top man.
"He puts 110 per cent in every week and got his just rewards."
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