http://www.swindontownfc.premiumtv.co.uk/page/News/NewsDetail/0,,10341~946382,00.htmlFor some considerable time there has been speculation regarding a potential bid for the club by an unnamed consortium.
Having had initial contact through Michael Wilks, at the end of November the Club invited the consortium to make contact with its lawyer, Trevor Watkins of Clarke Willmott who works extensively within sport and as Chairman of AFC Bournemouth has previously dealt with similar situations. Nothing further was heard from Mr Wilks until late on Tuesday 19th December.
The much-anticipated bid, however, was limited to a short eight paragraph letter. It contained no figures nor the offer of funding for the Club. The document did no more than to suggest that the unnamed consortium had a "genuine" interest in taking over the Club. The consortium would apparently, if they were to make a bid, consider a number of outcomes, none of which involve any commitment to invest in the Club, payment for shares nor any explanation of the consortium's plans to take the Club forward. They did, however, propose that amongst the benefits offered would potentially be the renaming of the Stratton Bank in honour of the Wills family and repayment of capital and loans "upon completion of the redevelopment of the County Ground?.such sums to be repaid from retained profits after deductions for tax and [unspecified] expenses".
The County Ground
Having been asked to provide further detail the consortium have not named those behind the approach save to explain that Mr Wilks and Bill Power are their appointed representatives.
Whilst welcoming any assistance that can take the Club forward, this speculative and general approach does not offer any meaningful detail to enable the Club to properly determine what merit there is in taking discussions further. The Club have been advised that unless and until a substantive proposal is forthcoming it should concentrate on the key issues of securing promotion to League One, an enhanced stadium and long term financial sustainability. This has been communicated to the representative of the consortium.
Sir Seton Wills has expressed his desire that, until such time as the details requested above are forthcoming, the unwarranted and needless speculation that has caused him and his family so much unnecessary aggravation over the last four to six weeks now subsides and everyone now focuses on the achievements of the team this season so far - 13 wins, 43 points, 2nd in the league, and still in the FA Cup. Sir Seton is looking forward to the rest of the season with great hope and anticipation, and wishes Paul Sturrock, his Management team, the Players and most importantly the loyal Supporters of Swindon Town a very Merry Christmas and prosperous New Year.
