A period of success is one way to make sure fans remember you fondly – and Dan Sweeney is one player who certainly made his mark. His arrival in summer 2022 was labelled by us as a bit of a coup; leaving Forest Green Rovers after they had won the 2021-2 League Two title. Some made the lazy claim that it was a sign the defender wasn’t up to the rigour and demands of the third tier. Sweeney, however, would go onto disprove any thoughts of that nature – and then some – during his four years at Broadhall Way.
“Tall, muscular and athletic, Dan Sweeney plays with guts and determination” – so said FGR of their former charge. We think that first bit is the modern variation of big, strong, and physical. And we’re no stranger to those attributes. In fact, they served us quite well once upon a time. Anyway, the defender said after signing for us: “The manager has said what he wants to achieve at this club, and I want to be a part of that. His ambitions match mine as a player. I had a successful season last year, and I’m hoping my time here can be successful too. I want to be at the top again.”
Under the management of Steve Evans, Sweeney was an important part of a defence that helped us to secure our own path up to League One a year after FGR (albeit as runners-up). He’d therefore get a chance to show his abilities at that higher level. Over the next couple of seasons, competition for defensive roles heated up and Sweens wasn’t always the winning option. But he found ways to contribute all the same; cameoing up top in games where goals were needed. And the big case in point was when he came on to get the decisive goal against Wigan to secure a 2025-26 playoff place.
Dan Sweeney: Before Boro’
FGR were actually Sweeney’s first real taste of Football League action. While he started out with AFC Wimbledon as an academy prospect, he didn’t get beyond training with the first team. He left the Dons in 2013 and moved to Kingstonian for a couple of years, followed by Dulwich Hamlet. It was a brief spell at the Hamlet, however; Maidstone United coming in for him just two months down the line. At the Stones, he’d last slightly longer. In fact, it was about a year until Barnet came zooming around the M25 looking to snap up his services.
Sweeney really came into his own at Barnet. We’d argue that you don’t have to do much these days to look good down there, but let’s not do the defender a disservice. You can also argue that it takes a lot to stand out for the Bees in a way that’ll earn you a move upwards. Sweeney did just that; signing for Forest Green on 1 July 2020. And it started a highly successful two-year stay with the club. The first year saw them challenge in the playoffs, while the second saw ’em go even better and win the division. If his only taste of Football League life is promotion-chasing, we’re all for it.
