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Trust reject bid to redevelop stadium

Ben Marvell
BBC News, Wiltshire
Getty Images A football stadium stand with the words "Swindon" written in white letters against a red background. Stadium lights and and other buildings can be seen in the background.Getty Images
The Nigel Eady County Ground is tly owned by the club and the ers' Trust

of Swindon Town's ers' trust have blocked the redevelopment of the Nigel Eady County Ground.

The football club had requested consent for the introduction of executive boxes and hospitality facilities in the Don Rogers stand.

Trust STFC tly owns the ground with the club, with each holding a 50% stake. Whilst the vote achieved the required percentage of participating, it only received 478 votes in favour, falling short of the 717 votes required.

Swindon Town Football Club said while it respects and acknowledges the democratic process, it was "naturally disappointed that shareholder consent was not granted".

The trust, whose voted earlier this month, said it recognises that the Nigel Eady County Ground is "in desperate need of redevelopment following decades of neglect".

But it added that the "result of the vote was not unsurprising, given the consultation ".

"Nonetheless [it is] disappointing that improvements cannot proceed at this time," it said.

'A moment to reflect'

The primary concerns raised by included a lack of trust in the club's ownership, lack of clarification over funding, concerns over a "risky" business plan and the design and the lack of an overall masterplan.

"With this in mind, the trust board are committed to working with the club to find solutions to the issues highlighted above," the trust added.

"As we have said repeatedly, restoring good governance and meaningful dialogue will lead to greater trust in the ownership of the club."

For consent to be granted, at least 50% of eligible were required to cast a vote, with at least 75% of those having to vote in favour of granting consent.

Some 1,263 trust were eligible to participate in the vote, with 955, representing 76% of the hip, eventually participating.

But with only 478 votes in favour of the proposal, consent for the club's request was declined.

A spokesperson for Swindon Town Football Club said: "We are grateful to all who took the time to engage with this important matter and to those who provided thoughtful as part of the process.

"We will now take a moment to reflect on the result and review in due course."

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