[5] Injuries waylaid him the following year, but in the next campaign, forming what was described as "a potent dual spearhead" with Dennis Wilshaw,[6] he was once again the club's leading scorer with 21 goals.
[8] The following season brought another strong return, including two goals in Wolves' famous floodlit victory over Honved of Hungary.
In 1955 he scored for England B in a 1–1 draw against their German counterparts: Swinbourne too, in spite of limited support, showed that he is a dashing centre-forward who knows where the goal lies.
[11] His career was halted when he damaged his knee while hurdling over a posse of cameramen on the pitchside at Luton Town's Kenilworth Road ground in November 1955.
[12][13] After trying to return just weeks later,[14] He was forced to undergo surgery on the injury, but was never able to resume his playing career and retired in May 1957.