This is Paul D's e-mail out to Trust members. Hope it clarifies it a bit :
I sat down yesterday evening to write what has become a depressing
ritual - an email to Trust members to say that as the takeover was not yet
complete, we would once again be calling on fans to join in protests
against the board at the game on Saturday. And as usual, I put in the by
now standard hope that this wouldn't prove necessary this particular
Saturday. I didn't send the email immediately and I'm glad I didn't as a
not very long after word started to filter through that the deal had
been signed. And that meant that finally this Saturday, protests won't be
necessary. This Saturday we can all once again go and watch a game of
football without worrying how many more there will be. We can focus on
the important matters (dodgy offside decisions, diving opposition
forwards etc) without being distracted by the constant fear that our club is
about to go down the plughole.
So let's enjoy it - let's turn Saturday's game into one big party in
the stands. Ring up your mates who haven't been to a game for ages
because of previous managers, the board and because they simply fell out of
love with the club and the game. And tell them, we've got our club back.
And we're going to celebrate it.
I know a lot of people still have some concerns over the term
"conditional agreement" and understandably so - this is Swindon Town after all,
surely we can't just expect to get good news without a nasty sting in
the tail. Well, we certainly can't guarantee there won't be any more bad
news - as I said, this IS Swindon Town, but as we understand it, the
"conditions" on the agreement relate to issues still to be resolved with
St Modwen and HMRC and we understand both are as keen to see the
agreement stand as we are. This is, to all intents and purposes, a done
deal. There's also been some confusion over exactly what has been bought
from whom - to clarify, Andrew Fitton's consortium have bought a 75%
shareholding in the club from the Holding Co - that does NOT leave the
Wills and Mr Diamandis with the remaining 25% of the club, that 25% is
owned by small shareholders, mainly individual fans. Andrew Fitton's
consortium have complete control of the club.
The nightmare's over, the club is safe. It doesn't mean there won't be
some rocky times ahead (who are we as mere Swindon Town fans to expect
good times without some bumps?) but our club now has a future. Each and
every Trust member has played a crucial part in securing that future
and as a Trust board we'd like to thank you from the bottom of our
hearts for the role you've played in that.
There's a lot of hard work to be done from here - make no mistake, the
damage done runs deep and this club needs completely rebuilding from
top to bottom. But we're confident that that's a challenge that the new
owners, the fans and the loyal staff of the club will rise to. As a
Trust, we look forward to working with the new owners to help rebuild the
club and its relationship not just with the fans, but with the town and
the local community as a whole, local businesses, the council and
wherever else we can help.
But for the moment, let's just enjoy some good news for once. Go to the
game on Saturday with your head held high, proud to be a Town fan,
drag your mates, family, work colleagues and anyone else you can lay your
hands on along to the game and let's party. And back the lads all the
way through the 90 minutes as only Swindon Town fans can - what better
way to finally put a seal on all the worry and strife than with a
well-earned victory?
I hope you and your family have a great Christmas - here's looking
forward to a very much brighter future in the New Year.
With sincere thanks from everyone on the Trust board
Paul Davis
TrustSTFC
http://www.truststfc.co.uk/PS If you do speak to any of the club staff over the next few weeks,
please remember they've been through hell and high water in recent years
- not knowing when or if they would get paid, not knowing whether
they'd have a job. But they've stuck with it and have served the club
loyally, despite everything (usually including their bosses). They deserve
all our praise and gratitude for their loyalty and perseverance. So if
you do speak to any of the staff, say thanks and give 'em a big hug!
