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Swindon on the Brink



swindonseagull

Well-known member
Aug 6, 2003
9,406
Swindon, but used to be Manila
The takeover still has not be signed and the taxman is about to swoop.
The county ground is council owned so the only assets are the players..
It looks bleak..

Inland Revenue closing in on Town
Exclusive By Andy Cryer
Comment | Read Comments (18)

THE Inland Revenue are closing in on Swindon Town as the ongoing takeover farce at the County Ground remains unresolved.

Sources close to the talks have revealed the tax man is losing patience as their £1.9million debt still shows no sign of being cleared.

A winding-up petition is expected to be issued by HMRC by early next week if the current impasse continues, with both parties claiming their innocence as the hold up continues.
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Andrew Fitton and Jeremy Wray's consortium looked set to seal their takeover deal on Monday but, three days and countless false dawns later, fans remain frustrated and concerned for the club's future existence.

A winding-up petition from the revenue would spark a snowball effect from the majority of Town's other creditors, and leave the club on the financial precipice.

The revenue have already vowed to be as patient as possible to all people involved in the deal, but as the current negotiations continue to stall, they could see a petition to the courts as their only option.

Fitton's consortium have statements prepared and ready to go, confirming the completion of the conditional deal' but they insist they are still being made to wait by Town's lawyers.

It is also thought they will instantly announce the resignations of board members Sandie Gray and Bob Holt, while revealing the name of the new chief executive.

Sources close to Town's side in the deal though insist the suitors have received all paperwork needed and are equally confused about the continuing delay.

Signing the conditional deal' would allow Fitton & Co to take the reins at the County Ground with immediate effect as they looked to iron out the remaining issues.

These remaining conditions are thought to surround future development rights, with St Modwen needing to approve the agreement at a board meeting.

With the staff at the County Ground expecting to be paid this week, fears are growing they will again have to wait for their money with Christmas just days away.

Meanwhile the Swindon Advertiser's website www.thisisstfc.co.uk was in overdrive with some fans voicing their intention for more protests at Saturday's clash with Hartlepool, if the situation is not resolved.
 




Gully

Monkey in a seagull suit.
Apr 24, 2004
16,812
Way out west
To be honest I thought that the protests would have been a bit more vociferous during the game last Saturday, at the start of the second half the police and stewards moved from in front of us to the Town End...I was sure there was about to be some sort of pitch invasion to bring attention to their plight. I know that there was a bit of a demo behind the main stand at the end, but it does appear that there is an element of resignation or even ambivolence about the position they find themselves in. Sadly for the club this seems to have spread to the players, they must have been considered play-off contenders a few weeks ago, now they appear to be heading southwards for the winter.
 






Couldn't Be Hyypia

We've come a long long way together
NSC Patron
Nov 12, 2006
16,732
Near Dorchester, Dorset
What are the rules about administration and winding-up?

Administration 10 points but if they are put out of business? Assume they are removed from the Football League and their results are expunged?

Would be very sad to see a team removed like that.
 






Superphil

Dismember
Jul 7, 2003
25,680
In a pile of football shirts
I believe that is the case Swindonseagull. A real shame, and highlights once again the problems facing (lower league) football clubs.

Bad management, bad ownership, as has been said on here before, there is a good likelehood this won't be an isolated instance over the coming years.

Thank goodness for DK and his attempts to run our club sensibly.
 


bhafc4eva

Well-known member
Nov 21, 2003
2,247
At this moment in time i hate Swindon and their little minded fan base. I wouldn't like to see any club fold, but if they were to make swift progress towards the conference you wouldn't hear any complaints from me.
 




At this moment in time i hate Swindon and their little minded fan base. I wouldn't like to see any club fold, but if they were to make swift progress towards the conference you wouldn't hear any complaints from me.


Probably be much lower down the league pyramid than the Conference, anyway good luck to them and I hope they come through it ok.
 


Skaville

Well-known member
Jun 10, 2004
10,236
Queens Park
It's a sad day when Brighton fans post threads like the ones above about other clubs in crisis.
 


Jul 5, 2003
12,644
Chertsey
At this moment in time i hate Swindon and their little minded fan base. I wouldn't like to see any club fold, but if they were to make swift progress towards the conference you wouldn't hear any complaints from me.

Can I ask why you "hate" them?
 




Kent Seagull

Well-known member
Jul 5, 2003
2,062
Tenterden, Kent
It's a sad day when Brighton fans post threads like the ones above about other clubs in crisis.

My thoughts exactly. So many supported and helped us win our battle, we owe it to other clubs in crisis to return the favour.
 




















Beach Hut

Brighton Bhuna Boy
Jul 5, 2003
72,324
Living In a Box
If they go bust could we buy their ground on the cheap and wheel it down the road to Falmer and save costs on a rebuild ?
 


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