Swindon Town

Swindon wait for news on Aljofree
Swindon are hoping that defender Hasney Aljofree will not be set for a spell on the sidelines after he had a knee scan. The Robins captain, 29, was stretchered off after only eight minutes of the 1-1 draw at Hartlepool at the weekend. Physio Dick Mackey told Swindon's website: "Initial findings of the scan suggest cautious optimism regarding Hasney's knee injury. "A clinical assessment will now take place which should give let us know more as to the extent of the injury." Mackey added: "It would be unprofessional to try and put a timescale on his recovery until we have spoken to our consultant orthopaedic surgeon."

Paynter display thrills Sturrock
Swindon boss Paul Sturrock believes he could have discovered a quality striker in recent recruit Billy Paynter. Paynter, 23, grabbed a hat-trick in the 4-1 win over Bournemouth and Sturrock was impressed with his new forward. "There is a lot of work we can do with him and I think we could have a bit of a diamond on our hands," Sturrock said. "Things didn't work out for him at Southend and he was in need of a home but he has come here and surprised me with how clinical he can be."

Win was not deserved - Sturrock
Boss Paul Sturrock felt Swindon had not deserved to win their stormy West Country derby against Bristol Rovers. Swindon won 1-0 with a disputed penalty, while both sides had two players sent off by referee Rob Styles. "I don't feel we merited the three points, but we have ended that poor run," Sturrock explained. "I didn't see too much in some of those challenges - I am hoping the referee will take a look at Jerel Ifil's red card but I will view the tape myself."

Rovers and Swindon lodge appeals
Bristol Rovers and Swindon have appealed against three of the four red cards which were shown in Saturday's fiery derby, which Swindon won 1-0. Rovers striker Richard Walker and Swindon defender Jerel Ifil and midfielder Sofiene Zaaboub have all lodged claims for wrongful dismissal. A Football Association regulatory commission will consider the claims. Pirates defender Steve Elliott, the fourth player red-carded in the game, will not contest his dismissal. Rovers face Leyton Orient in an FA Cup replay on Tuesday evening.

Allen to apply for Swindon post
Former Leicester City manager Martin Allen has declared his interest in becoming Swindon Town's new manager after Paul Sturrock's departure. Allen, 42, said he will "be applying for the job" and believes he can take the Robins into the Championship. "It's definitely a job I'm interested in," Allen told the Wiltshire Gazette and Herald. Leyton Orient boss Martin Ling described speculation linking him with the vacancy as "flattering". Dave Byrne and Ady Williams have stepped into the breach following Sturrock's departure for Plymouth "I don't think me and Ady need to apply because we're already in the job," said Byrne. "All we've got to do is steer the ship in the same direction as Paul Sturrock did." Allen has been out of work since August when he left Leicester after only three months in charge. Before that he guided MK Dons into the play-offs in his first and only season in charge of the League Two club. Despite working with a limited budget at Brentford he twice reached the League One play-offs and the former West Ham midfielder believes he can do a similar job at the County Ground. "They are three points off the play-offs with a game in hand and I want to manage in the Championship," Allen added. "It's been done before at Swindon and who's to say it can't be done again? "Once you've worked at Brentford under tight financial constraints like I did, you learn to get used to it. "Which football clubs haven't got financial problems? That's life." Sturrock was appointed as the new Plymouth boss earlier this week, a club he left in 2004 to take over at Southampton. Former Town player Ling, who would be a popular choice with supporters, said: "I'm under contract at Leyton Orient and still have a big job to do here. "If Swindon were to make an approach for me they would have to make it to my football club. "It's a great job for someone though. Having said that I think sorting out the takeover should come first, then finding a manager." Ex-Burnley manager Steve Cotterill has also been linked with the job but has refused to comment on any speculation.

Robins fear extended bans for duo
Swindon duo Jerel Ifil and Sofi Zaaboub face being banned for two extra games after admitting Football Association charges of improper conduct. Both players failed to leave the pitch immediately after being sent off against Bristol Rovers in November. An FA committee will now decide whether they should miss extra games on top of their initial three-match suspensions. "They are looking at giving them two games more each," joint caretaker-boss Dave Byrne told the Swindon Advertiser.

Aljofree fears relegation battle
Captain Hasney Aljofree has warned Swindon they face being dragged into a relegation battle if there is any repeat of their display at Carlisle. "We just did not perform," Aljofree told the Swindon Advertiser following the Robins' 3-0 defeat at Brunton Park. "Carlisle outplayed us in every department and I hate saying that. It was very, very disappointing. "For me, that is relegation form and we know if we keep playing like that we won't be in this league for very long."

Swindon boss proud despite defeat
Swindon caretaker boss Ady Williams was proud of his players efforts as they suffered a late 2-1 defeat at Southend. He said: "All the players can look in the mirror and know they have given their all. We were all pretty numb in the dressing room and it's devastating. "The lads put so much effort, passion and commitment into the game. We made changes and I think that helped us. "None of the players let us down. There were 11 men out on the pitch for us and everyone gave their all for the cause."

New owners closing in on Swindon
Wiltshire businessman Andrew Fitton and his consortium have agreed a conditional takeover of Swindon. Consortium member Jeremy Wray told SSB he was "absolutely thrilled" and said there were no major stumbling blocks left to negotiate. Wray said: "We haven't resolved a couple of small things but the important thing is both sides are working together to sort those out." The new owners will start to oversee the running of the club immediately. The consortium has taken control of 75% of the club's shares under the conditional agreement, which must now be finalised by 11 January, and have named former QPR director Nick Watkins as chief executive. An initial deal between Fitton and the club fell through earlier in December. But it was recently revived and after protracted negotiations which saw various deadlines come and go, an agreement has now been struck. Wray added: "Were there points when we wanted to give up? The truth is absolutely not. "You've always got that possibly naive dream that you can get in there and put this club back where it should be. "Andrew feels the same and he's very keen to get in and hit the ground running." Fitton said: "I am pleased that we are nearly there. The hard work of reorganising the club will start immediately. The cash-strapped Robins' existence has come under threat with the club a reported £5m in debt and the threat of closure looming large. And Wiltshire businessman Fitton and business partner Wray have pledged to wipe it out, although there are still outstanding issues involving the future redevelopment of the ground and unpaid tax bills. A statement read: "Swindon Football Holdings announces it entered into a conditional agreement to purchase 75% of the issued share capital of Swindon Town Football Company Limited. "The agreement is conditional on the vendors satisfying the purchasers on certain conditions (including matters relating to Shaw Park Developments and HR Revenue & Customs) not later than January 11, 2008. "The purchasers will have an active involvement in the management of the club with immediate effect." Town currently sit 16th in the table following their promotion last season, five points above the relegation spots.

Byrne relaxed over Swindon future
Swindon caretaker boss Dave Byrne said he is feeling no pressure despite continued speculation over who will be given the role of new Robins manager. New owner Andrew Fitton has a reported five men on his shortlist for the job. But Byrne and Ady Williams have impressed with a 100% record from two games since the new consortium came in. "I've said all along I'll do the job with Ady as long as need be. Until we're told otherwise we'll just carry on doing what we're doing," said Byrne. In total Byrne has presided over three wins from six games since Paul Sturrock left the County Ground for Plymouth. But there has been an upturn on the field since Fitton and his consortium agreed a conditional takeover before Christmas. "It's given everyone a boost," said Byrne. "There's a set of people in charge now that want to take the club forward and the tempo around the club and in training has been taken up another level. "And it's been a great Christmas for the fans with Mr Fitton coming in and us getting six out of six. "I've always said if we're going to be judged judge us when we've got a full squad of players to select from. "No disrespect to the lads, but when you go in with back-up squad players it's asking a lot." The victories over Hartlepool and Yeovil were both characterised by improved second-half performances after Byrne and Williams did a spot of half-time "fine-tuning". But while Byrne will be looking to make it nine points out of nine when Swindon travel to Bournemouth, his future in the hot seat is far from secure with interviews for the manager's job set to start. Leyton Orient boss and former Town player Martin Ling has been linked with the job, along with out-of-work trio Micky Adams, Martin Allen and Steve Cotterill.

Fitton confident of closing deal
Andrew Fitton is hoping to solve the final problem with his takeover of Swindon Town at a meeting this week. Fitton, who has agreed a conditional takeover, is due to talk to HM Revenue and Customs about the £3m the club owe the tax man on Friday 4 January. But Fitton says the consortium remains on course to finalise the deal in time and get the transfer embargo lifted. "I'm confident we'll be officially in charge by 11 January, so long as we get all the paperwork completed," he said. The Football League imposed an embargo on the Robins because of monies owed and Fitton knows he has to move fast to get that lifted so the club can make the most of the transfer window. "There's a bit of negotiation still to happen and it is not quite as clear as everybody would hope," he added. "We need to talk to the Football League and we hope that we would get a fair hearing. "I'm hopeful the embargo could be lifted around the same time that the takeover is finally completed."

Malpas set to become Swindon boss
Maurice Malpas will become Swindon's new manager once Andrew Fitton's takeover of the club is completed. Malpas, who left his role as Motherwell boss in the summer after one season, will be assisted by caretaker boss Dave Byrne at the County Ground. Chairman elect Fitton told the club website: "He was head and shoulders above the other candidates interviewed. "He will offer Swindon stability, leadership and discipline. He is highly competent, passionate and loyal."

Conditions met for Swindon sale
Swindon Town have confirmed the conditions for the sale of the club to Wiltshire businessman Andrew Fitton's consortium have been met. SSB understands the final paperwork remains to be completed, but the deal is all but done. A club statement has also revealed one of Fitton's backers is Sir Martyn Arbib, a 67-year-old Henley-based businessman worth an estimated £370m. The club's new owners are set to hold a press conference on Tuesday.

Swindon Town takeover completed
Swindon Town's new chairman Andrew Fitton has revealed the new board of directors following his successful takeover of the Wiltshire club. Maurice Malpas has also been confirmed as the Robins' new manager following the completion of the takeover. Local businessman Fitton outlined the new setup at Tuesday's news conference. "The board will be made up of myself, Jeremy Wray, Russell Backhouse and Nick Watkins who has taken on the role of chief executive," he said. "We like to operate our businesses with a small board at the start, but that may change as time goes on." An earlier club statement had also revealed one of Fitton's backers was Sir Martyn Arbib, a 67-year-old Henley-based businessman worth an estimated £370m. But Fitton confirmed Arbib would not be taking a role at the club. "Sir Martyn Arbib is not joining the board, but will be following things closely," said Fitton. "He is involved in a lot of projects and will remain in contact." Fitton's vision is to get Swindon back into the Championship within three years, and this ambition was matched by new manager Malpas. "I believe the play-offs are feasible. Difficult but feasible. The players are looking to achieve that dream too," said the ex-Motherwell boss.

Swindon clinch pair from Watford
Swindon Town have signed Watford duo Anthony McNamee and Moses Ashikodi. Winger McNamee joins for an undisclosed fee after signing a two-and-a-half year deal and striker Ashikodi moves on loan until the end of the season. McNamee, 23, played a key role in helping Watford reach the Premier League three years ago but spent a spell last season on loan at Crewe. And 20-year-old Ashikodi has recently recovered after breaking his leg while on loan at Bradford earlier this year. The pair, who are Maurice Malpas' first signings, could make their debuts against Nottingham Forest on Saturday.

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