Thetownend.com

BOB Holt has hit out at claims that Swindon Town Football Club are in the last chance saloon' and that their future is in the balance.

Speculation that the Inland Revenue and the club's creditors are on the brink of winding the club up is wide of the mark, according to Holt.

The Town director, pictured below, was desperate to reassure fans that, as far as he was concerned, the Andrew Fitton-led takeover deal was still very much on course and the club's commitments to its creditors were being honoured.

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"Contrary to some reports, it is not a case of this being the last chance saloon for the club, far from it, we are still busy serving drinks.

"We have a good relationship with the Inland Revenue, we are in constant dialogue with them and the creditors and, unless anyone knows anything different, they are still being patient with us because they want their money.

"They have been kept fully informed with all developments in the takeover and although it is running slightly slower than expected, we are not aware that they are losing patience with us. We are working to deadlines agreed with them and they are giving us every opportunity to make this deal go through."

While speculation mounted this week that Fitton's takeover bid had hit a stumbling block, Holt moved quickly to dispell the reports.

"The fans should not worry," added Holt. "I want to reassure them that everything is still on track. There is nothing for them to worry about.

"As I have said before a standard contract has been submitted and lots of elements of it will be crossed out and some will be contenious but that is only natural for a business deal of this nature. Both parties want the best deal they can get.

"There is nothing to worry about unless Mr Fitton has had a change of heart, which as far as I am aware, is not the case."

Holt also revealed that Town have a back-up plan if they encounter the worst-case scenario and the current takeover bid fails.

"If Mr Fitton does have a change of heart we have a back-up plan," added Holt. "The Wills family are already looking into alternative funding should things go wrong and we are desperate. However, we obviously hope that does not happen and we are still confident of this takeover deal going through."

10:21am today



http://www.swindonadvertiser.co.uk/display.var.1853969.0.we_are_not_in_trouble_holt.php

Ha ha we have a back up plan.  4 tickets to Zimbabwe!!

Why Bob, why?

Where on earth did this come from.  Is there a mythical paper that keeps producing reports on our club that nobody else bar the Board get to see?

Why the need to bring up a line about Fitton changing his mind, but as far as you know he hasn't?

Why can't someone, even if it's the Receptionist, just stop people gettng through to this man for comments.

Riiiiiight, so if the takeover doesn't go ahead then we won't get wound up because Bob Holt said so.

Pull the fucking other one.

 :nod:

So buying a club is like running a bar?  I thought it was like buying a house?  I'm confused :?

Some people have bars in their homes though.  Pat Butcher (the eastender, not the town end steward) has one.

They really think we're stupid don't they?

Nothing to see, move along.

Doesn't bode well does it.

Other funding, what other funding FFS?

Why cant this clown keep his gob shut

Of course. Buying a football club is like buying a house with a bar. Its a good job Bob is here to make things easy to understand for us plebs with his incisive analogies

Is this a fully operational Bar with pumps etc, or are we talking one of those dodgy 1970's cocktail style bars which just hold a few bottles of spirits?

I have a home bar in so far as I have barrell with pumps etc but the room it is in has not been properly converted in line with building regs.  When it comes to selling it I won't be able to advertise it as having a bar, so does Holt think this could be a similar problem?

I keep a selection of alcoholic beverage's in my fridge, which in a hotel would
be a mini bar. Doe's this count?

Maybe he didn't mean alcoholic drinks?? Maybe buying a football club is like buying a lemonade stall... He's too vague. I think this subject needs to be clarified.

If there are any hold ups it's down to the Wills lot. Fitton has made a formal offer. If they say yes it all happens, if they say no it's off. Most likely they are busy inserting a few clauses hoping that Fitton won't notice. Like thay did with the fans consortium prior to any due dilligence, like they did with BEST.
Holt's statement has me seriously worried. To the extent that I now believe we will hear bad news shortly.. (After the game on Sat obviously)
BTW, I have no evidence of this other than the fact that when ever Holt say anything the opposite is usually the case.

Maybe he is talking about the kiosk's, but he doesn't mention food, does this mean that the club are no longer selling food at half time?

Only drinks apparently, and he's not even telling us what kind  :evil: It better not be coke zero because that tastes like shit.

We need to protest.

Hmmm, is buying a football club a bit like buying a house with a licensed bar?  I can see that this could attract some difficulties with the licensing needing a bit of checking etc.

This is apalling, with us fan's being kept in the dark again. I forward a notion to protest, with the subjects of the protest being:

1) Is the club selling only drinks
2) What kind of drinks are the club selling

Bob Holt walks into a bar.......

And buys some chairs for a laugh!

Whens happy hour?

I heard that plans to redevelop the County Ground exist somewhere and include a drinking area, to be named after a current board member to show the fans' feelings for him, subject to approval of the licensing authorites. This area is marked on the plans with an asterisk and is referred to in all discussions as The Bob Holt Bar (starred).

I think Bob Holt is like the crazy grandad or uncle of your typical family.

Bizarre nonsensical outbursts at regular intervals, only without the charm or charisma one might associate with an elderly family member.

I have to agree with several posts on here....BH issues a statement.....

1. Why?
2. Why now?
3. Why mention any problems?
4. What BH says does usually mean exactly the opposite of what is going to happen.

How the hell has this man been allowed for so long to make a complete fool of himself in public? Dont the board realise that they are being made fools of by his statements as well? Do the club read the statements he gives out before he releases them? Do the club really care?

Is Bob Holt being sent out to try and force Mr Fitton into a statement of proceedings? if so....then they have failed as Mr Fitton is too professional to do this and in my opinion has handled himself very well so far and I cant wait for him to bring the club back into line under his ownership.

Maybe he has been testing the beverages before they go on sale!

If this is so, then thats a lot of Arkells to consume...hes gonna have an awfully squitty bum!

We have a good relationship with the Inland Revenue...


Yeah Bob, like they are really happy that you haven't paid the remaining money from the CVA that was due 5 months ago, along with the back taxes that you still owe them. Twat.

this bit worries me:

"they are still being patient with us because they want their money."

that gives me the distinct impression that our board have sstarted to actucally believe they're untouchable.

yeah, they might want their money but never count on their fucking patience.

More bar talk from the sheep himself.  When is Bob going to grow some backbone?

By christ he shot a robber dead and yet is the patsy for someone with who is held in business circles in the same esteem as Chris Langham in a secondary school.  Come on Bob grab that spine out of Diamandis’ bap and get a bit of self respect.

He either suffers from delusions of grandeur, is reading from script or really doesn’t have a clue regarding the current circumstances.

I really hope it’ll never come to it but for sheer curiosity I would love to know just wheat the hell the new backup plan is.

Personally i think these daily statements are a prelude to the whole deal collapsing.

Looks like Diamandis has won yet again and succeeded in railroading any hope that we have. Be prepared for any announcement post tomorrow to prevent protests

Find another sucker, get him to believe you actually do intend to sell the club, convince the Revenue that if they just hold fire until the end of January they really will get their money, string said sucker along until the end of January, collapse deal. Repeat ad infinitum.

I would wager Sir it'll be a hefty loan from a Panamanian bank, everyone is paid off, SSW grabs his cash, Diamandis a nice wedge and the club is left to rot.

Dont think they have ever had any intention of selling. Peoples game you have hit the nail on the head.

Creditors should basically say- sell now- pay your debts or we wind you up

I am sure that you are absolutely spot on again Bart,

So when does Sturrcok leave for his new post at Plymouth then?  :?

Takeover deal will be announced on Monday - any problems have been sorted... If you believe bape who seems to know whats going on...

I will believe it when i see it, very happy if this is the case though

Full steam ahead.