Here is the list if you fancy a laugh
March 2025 Advisory Board Supporter Questions
1) Would the club be shocked to know that minority shareholders' spouses have been
meeting prospective buyers when the chairman says the club is not for sale?
Swindon Town Football Club are not aware of this taking place. We have no proof to
confirm that minority shareholders’ spouses have met with prospective buyers. Clem has
always said the club is always for sale dependent on price and proof of funds. He has
always said he will look at a proposed offer and consider it.
2) Why did Zav Austin meet with Ian Holloway prior to his appointment despite having
no role at the club, and why were the club subject to investigation afterwards?
The club is not aware that this meeting has taken place. We have no evidence to prove
that this has occurred.
3) Why are programmes NOT sold in the ground (Don Rogers Concourse for example) via
concessions or by specific Programme seller “news stand”? It is very noticeable that
few fans have programmes - a massive commercial own goal (Would it be possible for
the disabled concession kiosk to sell them perhaps?)
The club can confirm that we do sell programmes in a number of areas including three
Programme sellers located outside the Arkells, Town End and Don Rogers Stands while we
also sell programmes in the Legends Lounge, Don Rogers stand, a number of Kiosks, the club
store and in Hospitality.
4) Does the Club feel they’ve misled the fans, stating that the debt would be written off
in Jan 2024, only for the debt owed (presumably to CM) to have grown yet further?
No, we have not misled the fans. We cannot write the debt off. The debt is only owed to
Clem, the debt that is owed to Clem is interest free and for financial reasons the debt
cannot be removed.
5) Does the club understand the concern that the Trust has expressed about the
growing debt exceeding the value of the club?
Yes, we concur that the debt could outweigh the value of the club.
6) At the last AB, the club replied to a question saying that minority shareholders had
no pre-emption rights. If this is the case, why does the Articles of Association for
Swinton Reds lodged at companies house in section 13 confirm they do?
Pre-emption rights is defined as the following, if Clem wants to sell the club he has to give
the opportunity for the minority shareholders to match the offer presented. The same
applies to the minority shareholders, thereby protecting the shareholders and clubs
interests.
7) The club might be in breach of HSE, having no hot water in the DRS stand toilets (and
presumably other Ground toilets) - which will be used by staff as well as fans
(customers). Can the club confirm they are aware of this issue and what plan do they
have to fix it and by when.
After review of the HSE safety guide, the club can confirm that we are not in breach of the
above. Page 84 of the guidelines, section 520 states “Where warm water hand washing
facilities are available, provide adequate supplies of suitable soap. Antiseptic hand wipes
or bactericidal soap should be provided where warm water is not available”
Is there any truth in the rumour that Chris Kiely and Eddie Paladorio were involved
and leading the redevelopment Master Plan with KSS Design? If so, why? What
qualifications does Eddie and Chris have in stadium redevelopment?
Chris Kiely and Eddie Parladorio are not involved in the master plan development –
furthermore they do not hold qualifications to be involved.
9) Why don’t you sell the club or put it up for sale? You’re clearly not wanted here, you
can’t afford to run a bottom half League 2 club and there’s zero evidence of the club
going forward under you after being here since 2017.
Clem first took over in the summer of 2021. Clem has always said, that if somebody with
the right price and a proof of funds proposes a figure to purchase the club, that he would
consider it. As long as they were the right person/consortium that could run it better, he
would listen to the offer.
10) Has the club established a clear plan to reduce net liabilities over the next 12
months?
Yes we have established the following:
1. Budgets for each department this will ensure we monitor our operating costs to make
them more efficient and minimising cost.
2. The foundation of the Football Club is critical.
We then need to build from that.
11) Do the club acknowledge that they could increase revenue by:
(a) getting supporters through turnstiles quicker. Then...
(b) selling those fans food/drink and merchandise inside the ground;
(c) crucially, have merchandise/food/drink stock available and ready to sell?
Basics of making money. Speculate to accumulate. Is cashflow a massive issue at STFC?
Yes we are looking at all possible revenue streams. We do believe we are getting supporters
through turnstiles quicker. We are looking to improve food inside the stadium including
kiosks and the downstairs kitchen in the Legends Lounge, in readiness for next season.
We accept that the matchday experience at the moment isn’t what we expect, and we
recognise that this needs improvement. We have invested in the kiosks in the Arklles stand
to allow the matchday food offering to be improved.
Cashflow is always something that creates issues amongst many businesses especially
Football Clubs in the lower divisions – hence the upcoming Football Governance bill which
we hope will bring a fairer distribution of funds.
12) Could you please provide a breakdown of the Strength and Conditioning services
rendered to STFC through Adam Hart's S&C company? And the monthly/yearly costs
attributed to services rendered - so that this can be benchmarked against other club's
S&C services and costs in future?
We will not be disclosing the breakdown of Strength and Conditioning services, however
we are always looking and striving for the most competitive prices and best services for
the football club. As always this is reviewed at the end of the season.
13) Why are the club not funding drinks or food for the ball boys and girls?
Food and Drink for Ballboys and ballgirls is provided by the STFCTrust and Swindon Town
Community Foundation provides the ballgirls and ballboys on Matchdays.
14) Is it true that the Academy got rid of all the U16s so there isn't an U16s team
anymore?
There is still an U16’s team and there will continue to be. Every season retain and release
decisions are made for this age group at Christmas time, some years we may see more
players leave than others. We have already recruited additional players into this age group
following this who will be scholars for next season.
15) This question is for Clem Morfuni. The club is run at a loss, with debt increasing each
year. The club's losses are also increasing each year, while the team on the pitch is
getting worse. You promised openness but have failed to deliver - transparency is
clearly going backwards - the financial reports that you now publish have got even
less detail in them. You have reneged on previous written and spoken commitments
for financial transparency. So I ask, Do you really believe that you are equipped to
run the club, and are doing a good job?
Football has improved since Christmas, all staff at the club are continually working to
improve our poor start to the season, we hope to finish the season as strongly as we can.
Clem has made mistakes, however he feels that the more that he opens up, the more
criticism he receives and he remains transparent otherwise he wouldn’t be on the Advisory
Board every month.
16) Is Anthony Hall a permanent member of staff employed by the football club, or a
consultant whose company N5 Management Services Ltd (14723610) is paid in return
for his services?
The football club will not discuss personal individuals or salaries as previously advised.
17) Is it appropriate that matchday guests and external data analysis consultants are the
club's representatives when meeting with prospective managers, as per the meeting
Ian Holloway described that took place before he took the role here?
To confirm Clem Morfuni met Ian Holloway at Melksham, three years ago. An official Club
Representative met with Ian Holloway prior to his appointment.
18) Do the club accept and understand that their accounts are now less detailed than the
last set produced by former owner Lee Power, an owner this current hierarchy
routinely discredits?
We cannot comment on this because we have not seen Lee Power’s accounts therefore
we disagree with this statement and we will engage again with Fair Game as stated in last
month’s Advisory Board meeting to review and comment on our financials.
19) Can the Club provide a summary of the Profit & Loss Account for last financial year
(as per past years)?
The club will be engaging with Fair Game to produce the annual report which will be more
detailed.
20) Can the Club provide a breakdown of the Administration Costs headings and amounts
to aid transparency.
Same as Question 19 - Fair Game to produce the annual report which will be more
detailed.
21) Who produced the Unaudited Accounts - no firm of Accountants were identified on
the published accounts.
UHY are the accountants, which remains the same as previous years.
22) Why has Clem changed his mind about doing a Debt for Equity swap?
Clem has not changed his mind.
23) Can the club ownership confirm they will continue to openly and regularly engage
with the supporter groups on the AB and cease engaging with protest groups like
SO69.
Following the SO69 refusal for a follow up meeting with the club, our only official
engagement will be with Supporters Groups within the Advisory Board.
24) Did the Club receive (if so how much) a transfer fee for Harry McKirdy from Hibs?
Yes, the club will not disclose the fee, please note this was an undisclosed fee agreed
between the clubs.
25) Are Pro:Direct not supplying the club with shirts for players or the store, because of
outstanding payments?
We pay Pro Direct on direct debit, twice a month.
26) When I was a kid a fond memory of mine was a “fan day”. It was a day that there
were stalls, music, food and meet and greets with the players and manager and that
time it was Di Canio.I wasn’t a massive Swindon fan back then but meeting the
players, buying my first shirt made me become a huge fan. Would something like this
come back? I think it’s important to both our local communities and young fan base
to bring something like this back.
Yes this is something, Swindon Town Football Club want to create. We are already in talks
about improving our Family Excellence Award and by doing so, aim to improve Fan
Engagement and experience on Matchday. An open Fan Day adds to this overall Fan
Engagement and experience and is something we are looking at.
27) Have the club considered charging Zav Austin for the office he has at the NECG, it
may help with cash flow?”
We can confirm, that Zav Austin does not have an office at the Nigel Eady County Ground.
28) There is no open planning application on the SBC website for an advertising screen.
Why did the last Q&A say there was?
Swindon Town FC do not require planning permission, hence why there is no application
