Swindon Town manager Ian Holloway is set for a personal milestone this weekend that has nothing to do with league tables or promotion chases. For the first time in his long managerial career, the 62-year-old will wear hearing aids on the touchline as his side faces Crawley Town in a crucial League Two encounter.
The decision, he explains, is about performance and connection, both on and off the pitch. "Your body does deteriorate, it happens to all of us," Holloway told 90min.football in an interview marking World Hearing Day. "So put the ego down and get the best hearing you can. I want to be the best I can be for as long as I can be."
A Journey to Better Hearing
Holloway's path to using hearing aids was paved with familiar domestic clues. He recalls gradually cranking up the television volume to levels that likely perturbed his neighbours. More tellingly, his wife Kim grew increasingly frustrated by his frequent requests to repeat herself. "I started to really annoy both of us," he admitted, initially joking that after 37 years of marriage, he might have been "deliberately not listening."
⚽ Key Insight
Beyond the personal, Holloway's family has a direct connection to deafness, giving him a profound understanding of the communication barriers it can create. This experience fuels his advocacy for addressing hearing loss without stigma.
Communication: The Heart of the Game
For Holloway, the issue transcends personal health and strikes at the core of football management. The technical area is a cacophony of shouted instructions, player calls, and crowd noise. Missing a crucial detail can mean the difference between a tactical adjustment and a missed opportunity.
"If you can't hear other people, you are isolated from the world," he stated, a philosophy that applies powerfully to the microcosm of a football match. Clear communication with his players, staff, and officials is non-negotiable for success.
Fixture: Swindon Town vs. Crawley Town (Away)
Stakes: Swindon's League Two promotion push
Core Message: "Put the ego down and get the best hearing you can."
Key Takeaways
- Touchline First: Ian Holloway will wear hearing aids during a match for the first time in his career this Saturday.
- Performance Focus: He frames the decision as essential for maintaining his effectiveness as a manager, stating the goal is to "be the best I can be."
- Breaking Stigma: Holloway openly discusses his hearing loss journey, using his platform to normalise the use of hearing aids, especially for men in a high-pressure sport.
- Football & Communication: He highlights how critical clear hearing is for in-game management, linking the ability to connect with others directly to performance.
By taking this step publicly, Holloway is doing more than adjusting his own matchday routine. He's sending a clear message to fans, players, and fellow professionals about prioritising health and connection over pride. In a sport where every shout and instruction matters, being able to hear clearly isn't just a personal benefit—it's a tactical advantage.
