Playing as a goalkeeper, Swindin made more than 300 appearances in the Football League with Bradford City and Arsenal, where his 18-year career was interrupted by the Second World War.
[4] He played as an amateur for various local clubs,[5] including for Rotherham United's reserve team in the Midland League,[6] before turning professional in 1934 with Bradford City.
His time at Arsenal was at first characterised by nervous and erratic displays, and he shared the goalkeeping spot with Alex Wilson and Frank Boulton.
He made wartime guest appearances for clubs including Leeds United, while serving as a policeman in the area,[11] Clapton Orient,[12] and in 1945, Southampton.
After the arrival of Ted Platt in 1950, Swindin had to share the goalkeeper's spot for 1949–50,[9] but played in both the 1950 and 1952 FA Cup Finals; Arsenal won the former against Liverpool, but lost to Newcastle United in the latter.
Despite his excellent form for Arsenal, he was never capped by England at senior level, with Walter Winterbottom preferring Frank Swift and Bert Williams.
[19] After leaving football, Swindin first owned a garage in Corby, before emigrating to Spain,[5] where he lived for several years before returning to his homeland.