Swindon Town fans call for change of ownership

A football supporters group has written an open letter to its club's chairman saying it has "lost confidence and trust" in the leadership.

The letter, written by Trust STFC to the club's chairman Clem Morfuni, called for significant investment, a redevelopment plan and complete transparency in communication.

"Alternatively, it is time for you to sell the club and find a new owner who can provide these things as soon as is practically possible," it said.

Swindon Town Football Club has been approached for comment.

The letter comes after Trust STFC surveyed more than 2,000 fans following the side's worst league position in modern history.

Trust STFC owns 50% of the club's stadium, the County Ground, in a joint venture with the club.

The letter said: "We, as a Trust led by our recent survey, are today declaring we have lost all confidence and trust in the leadership and ownership of our beloved Swindon Town Football Club.

"We have tried to support, encourage, advise you and give you constructive feedback in order to give you the best chance of success in running the club."

However, it said the feedback was "met with a consistent level of denial and a version of reality which does not relate to the facts".

"For example, you continue to insist the club is debt free. It is not," it added.

"The club has been found guilty of EFL charges relating to both undisclosed shareholdings and late payments and it is clear that the club is constantly struggling with cashflow."

James Phipps, vice-chairman of Trust STFC, told BBC Radio Wiltshire: "It's sadness and frustration really from the trust board, that we've had to issue this open letter."

He said most fans are "disillusioned" and feel dropping out of the EFL into non-league football is "coming next season".

"There's a sense of apathy," he said.

"The current manager debacle, if you can describe it as that after 120 days, is indicative of where it's at," he added.

"We're trying to avoid ending up in the same place, or even worse next season."

Swindon Town endured one of its worst ever seasons on the pitch.

The club finished 19th in League Two - the fourth tier of English professional football.

In May 2023, Michael Flynn was appointed the club's new manager.

But despite a good start, results plummeted, and Flynn was sacked just over two months after having signed an extended contract.

Gavin Gunning took the team on for the rest of the season.

Star striker Charlie Austin left the club at the end of the season and hinted at behind-the-scenes problems in a post on X on Tuesday night.

He said: "Why are you all acting surprised and shocked at what’s going on!

"You’ve been moaning about it for the last six months if not longer, so all of a sudden you thought it would change."

Trust STFC said while there were many things it "continues to appreciate", including the creation of the Advisory Board and the Women's team, it hoped the results of the survey would make management "see the level of feeling of the fans".

It also accused the ownership of carrying out a secret plan on its future without their consultation.

"We have no faith that a promised re-development of the County Ground is plausible under your ownership," the letter read.

"We are a proud club which has cherished our football league status for well over 100 years and we implore you to make the changes now before we lose that status under your tenure."

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