Trust members reject bid to redevelop stadium

Members of Swindon Town's supporters' 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 jointly owns the ground with the club, with each holding a 50% stake. Whilst the vote achieved the required percentage of members 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 members 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 feedback".

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

The primary concerns raised by members 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 members were required to cast a vote, with at least 75% of those having to vote in favour of granting consent.

Some 1,263 trust members were eligible to participate in the vote, with 955, representing 76% of the membership, 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 feedback 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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