Swindon Town share ownership of home ground

Image: Swindon Town

The EFL League Two club Swindon Town F.C. (UK) have exchanged on the purchase of their County Ground stadium, with completion scheduled for the end of March.

‘BBC Sport’ stated that the League Two club is buying the ground from the Swindon Borough Council (England) in a 50-50 split deal with their supporters’ trust.

The Swindon Town Football Club is a professional football club based in Swindon, Wiltshire, England (UK). The team currently competes in EFL League Two, the fourth tier of the English football league system. The club has played home matches at the County Ground since 1896, which now boasts a capacity of 15,547.

The County Ground is a stadium located near the town center of Swindon, Wiltshire, England (UK), and has been home to the Swindon Town Football Club since 1896. The current capacity of 15,728, all-seated, has been at that level since the mid-1990s.

The joint venture will then lease the ground back to the club for 250 years.

‘BBC Sport’ further stated that a statement from the club said contracts have been signed and a deposit of £230,000 has also been paid.

The purchase by the County Ground Stadium Custodians Limited will mean the club – who has played at the County Ground since 1896 – and its fans will have full ownership of the site for the first time.

Funding for the £2.3m deal has come from the Nigel Eady Trust, a lifelong Swindon fan who left the club money after his passing in 2012.

Said Clem Morfuni, Swindon owner, “This is massive for the football club and a significant step forward, as it means the joint venture is now fully committed to completing the purchase over the coming months. We’d like to place on record our sincere gratitude to the Nigel Eady trustees who have been so supportive throughout this long process.”

There are also plans in place to redevelop the ground and its surrounding area, including upgrading two of the stadium stands and building a hotel and conference center.

Stated Steve Mytton, TrustSTFC Chairman, “Upon completion, we can ensure the County Ground is developed in the best possible way for the benefit of both the club and the local community.”

The Swindon Town Community Mutual (Swindon Town Supporters Trust or TrustSTFC) is a democratic not-for-profit organization with a key aim of securing representation and strengthening the links between the football club and the community.

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