Council’s legal action adds to Swindon’s woes

SWINDON Town are facing legal action over unpaid rent for the County Ground. Swindon Borough Council, which owns the League Two club’s home, says it has not been paid rent in more than a year.

The club, who are embroiled in a court case over the club’s ownership, failed to pay the players’ June wages on time.

Last week, manager John McGreal, his assistant Rene Gilmartin and chief executive Steve Anderson left the club, while it is understood director of football Paul Jewell has also left.

Swindon Borough Council said it had made “every effort to resolve the issue, providing plenty of opportunities for the club to work with us on structuring a repayment plan”.

“We set the club a final deadline to respond with an offer to clear the arrears but, when this was missed, we had no choice but to start the necessary legal action for payment of the debt,” it added.

BBC Radio Wiltshire understands the club has not paid rent since April 2020.

In February, chairman Lee Power said the Robins were “on the brink” of bankruptcy, having warned in May 2020 they could go into administration after he failed to overturn an injunction to prevent him selling the club to an American company.

Pre-season training has been put back until Monday. The Robins had nine players under contract following the end of last season and have since signed goalkeeper Jojo Wollacott and defender Pierce Sweeney.

“We fully appreciate that the coronavirus pandemic has had a profound impact on the finances of lower league football clubs, including Swindon Town, but as with any tenant, the council will take the necessary action if rent is not paid,” Swindon Borough Council said.

Lee Power took control at Swindon in December 2013 and had a brief spell as interim manager in 2015-16. Power is facing two cases against the club over Swindon’s ownership - one in the courts and one from the Football Association.

Minority shareholder Clem Morfuni has been trying to buy Swindon and has been backed by the club’s supporters’ trust. But a court injunction is in place to stop Power from putting the Robins into administration amid a legal case over who is able to buy the club. Power is also facing FA charges regarding the ownership and funding of the club.

In April, Power, along with sports agency First Touch Pro Management and its company director Michael Standing, were charged with breaching FA rules on ownership. Standing had previously stated he acquired 50% of Swindon’s holding company when Power bought the Robins in 2013. However, under FA rules, agents are not allowed to own clubs due to potential conflicts of interest.

Menwhile, Town defender Pierce Sweeney’s contract with the club has been mutually terminated, meaning he is now a free agent.

The club said on its website that Pierce had decided that his future does not lie with the club due to personal reasons.