Wiltshire | Archive | 2000 | May | 15
From the Swindon Advertiser, first published Monday 15th May 2000.
COLIN TODD has been assured that funds are there waiting for him to spend as he sets about rebuilding a team for the second division.
Swindon Town chairman Cliff Puffett told his new manager yesterday that substantial spending money will be within his grasp once the club is released from the administrators' grip.
The club's board is currently looking at four proposals from potential investors each one aimed at getting the club out of administration and then providing cash for new players.
Todd admitted on Sunday how he would require a big injection of new players within the squad if they were to compete next season.
He was given a pointer towards the future with a fighting display in his team's 2-2 draw at Sheffield United.
Two goals by Guliano Grazioli had put Town in charge but a late equaliser left them with only a point.
Todd had words of encouragement for captain for the day Adam Willis, Lee Collins, James Williams and Sol Davies.
He is ready for a busy summer of wheeling and dealing as he bids to rebuild the playing troops.
His job started on Monday when he informed nine out of contract players whether they would be offered new deals.
Details on who will be staying were not finalised this morning and an announcement on who had been offered new contracts was due to be made this afternoon.
Investment proposals include those of printing tycoon Terry Brady, who was influential in the appointment of Colin Todd at the County Ground.
He is keen to take over control of the club by ploughing in £2m and bank-rolling Todd's revival plans.
But any deal will have to go through the Town board and they are keen to ensure that the interests of the club are best served.
Mr Puffett said: There are up to four other proposals that the board are looking at and we have to make a decision within a week to ten days.
The very future of the club is at stake so we have to be sure we have got the right deal before we take it to the administrators.
I must say that we owe a great deal to Terry Brady and I still hope that he will come on board in some shape or form.
His interest has caused a number of other options to open for us and I feel sure that he recognises our need to choose the best option for the club.
The manager asked me yesterday if there was any money to spend and I said there will be substantial funds available for squad strengthening once we are out of administration.
Mr Puffett has also been turning his attentions to matters off the pitch.
He has also been trying to fill the vacant chief executive position and recently interviewed controversial businessman Barrie Pierpoint.
Barrie Pierpoint has an outstanding track record from his days at Leicester City and really made them a marketing force in the Premier League, Mr Puffett said.
Unfortunately we could not meet his demands, even though we did offer him a good incentives scheme.
Meanwhile, Todd has called for the players to return on July 6, five weeks before the start of the new campaign, for a tough schedule of fitness training. All the squad were weighed yesterday before leaving for their summer break, their ears still ringing from the manager's warning.
I have told them that while I want them to go away and enjoy themselves, to relax and have a good time, I also expect them to look after themselves physically, he said.
I expect them to report back for pre-season training in good shape so that we can get them fit and they will be ready for the new campaign.
© Newsquest Media Group 2008