AT A meeting organised by the Swindon Advertiser last month, Swindon Town chairman Jed McCrory pledged to answer fans’ questions on various topics to do with the running of the club.

Following the Robins’ exit from the League One play-off, McCrory has now given the Adver answers to 62 queries which span a broad range of issues - from playing budget to ground redevelopment and beyond.

His answers are reproduced as they were received by the Advertiser.

QUESTIONS SUBMITTED BY TRUST STFC

Q: Can you confirm the current make-up of the board in both Seebeck 87 and STFC - as rumours are circulating Rice and Hooper have already left - what was the Hall thing all about?

A: The board has not changed.

Q: Could you clarify the position of the board members and what they do/what they bring to the club?

A: Steve Murrall brings PLC and structural expertise, Gary Hooper is from the commercial sector, Callum Rice has a background in events. I am a mixture of all three.

Q: Can Jed confirm rumours that a “SC” is potentially joining the board?

A: To be announced.

Q: Why Swindon Town? None of you supported the club in the past and you already have long-term links to a football club at Banbury, so why us? What’s in this for you?

A: As I said at the beginning, I came in to aid a football club. I have no long-term links to Banbury, just an affection for them. What is in this for me? A headache.

Q: Jed, you reputedly have £7million behind you, can you give us some insight as to how you’ve amassed your fortune?

A: Data businesses and leisure.

Q: What are the long-term plans? Where do they see us in three years from a footballing view?

A: Championship football with a self-sustainable business model in place.

Q: We’re keen to know what the board’s exit strategy is. We don’t want a repeat of what happened with Andrew Black.

A: On a self-sustainable model there should not be a problem upon exit although, as of now, I have no intention to leave in the foreseeable future - as per my previous comments.

Q: Is it true Lee Power wanted to buy the club outright in January, but that he couldn’t push his deal through in time?

A: No

Q: Is it also true that Lee is responsible for getting the club out of the embargo in January?

A: No

Q: Could you clarify Lee’s position? And what does ‘shared equity’ mean? What do you expect him to contribute to the club?

A: He could possibly contribute to the club. I’ve asked Lee to come in. He understands the game, agents and players - he’s got a skill set of knowledge in the game we haven’t currently got.

Q: Would you consider fans taking percentage of club a la Swansea, and under what conditions?

A: Not currently as we need to settle the club.

Q: Would you be willing to have a fan sit on the board?

A: As above, we will take the same model as the previous board.

Q: Would you agree to regular Q&A sessions - be it before games, live on the Adver website or evenings hosted by the BBC?

A: No, not currently. However, we have pledged to take part in meetings with representatives of fans’ groups.

Q: Can you give us a high-level overview of the board’s strategy for financing the club going forwards?

A: It’s a self-sustainable model which involves creating new revenue streams and cost-cutting.

Q: Has the funding held in the escrow account by the Football League actually been transferred to the company account, ie available to spend today?

A: We’ve continued the same funding model as was previously in place at the club and is common in other football clubs. That is based on funds being put into the club as and when required.

Q: Apart from concerts how will you increase revenue streams?

A: We have a social media concept which is to be launched shortly. Other projects will be announced when they are close to commissioning.

Q: Can you confirm the club was purchased for a single pound, and also what debt remains?

A: Answering this would contradict my non-disclosure agreement.

Q: Lee Power’s investment seems a short-term solution. His money keeps us ticking over for six months, but then what? Are there short and long-term plans in place for League 1 and Championship?

A: Lee Power’s investment will be made available to club after fit and proper and will be used by club if required.

Q: Can Jed confirm that he has/or is putting in £1.5m alongside Power as the word partnership was used)?

A: The facility is in place. The money is in place.

Q: Are board members paid salaries and/or have the club paid out ‘consultancy fees’ to board members, as has been widely rumoured? Also which board members have cars leased through football club funding?

A: Operational board members will be paid.

Q: When will the audited annual accounts for 2012 be published?

A: On due date, as normal.

Q: Could they commit to producing the May 2013 Statements onwards within the same calendar year - ie by December 31, 2013 so they are still fairly relevant?

A: No, as accountants will advise.

Q: When is the next AGM/EGM?

A: Unsure of the exact date. The intention is to hold it before the start of next season.

Q: Has the funding held in escrow account by Football League actually been transferred to the company account, ie available to spend today?

A: See my earlier answer.

Q: Can you provide more details on the recent statement about a deal being struck to host 12 concerts a year?

A: We are still finalising the acts. I am taking into account the pitch and want to review to make sure it’s okay.

Q: Can you confirm the £1.5m per annum figure is profit to STFC or is this revenue and we will incur costs as well which will significantly reduce the benefit to the club?

A: It would be £1.8million profit. We’ll be aiming to put the maximum possible profit into the club.

QUESTIONS SUBMITTED BY THE STFC SUPPORTERS’ CLUB

Q: What blueprint for the future is planned, both for the immediate and long term for the first team and its funding and also the youth set up. Are severe cutbacks likely in either or both?

A: To be announced. A self-sustainable model will be announced. It’s apparent what we’re doing - we’re investing in training facilities and we intend to invest in the youth. We have a social media concept we’d like to partner supporters with which will aid revenue for supporters and the club.

We intend to invest in the youth setup. We see it as important to the future of a sustainable model. There will be a sensible reduction in salaries to bring it more in line with other top clubs in this division, but with more emphasis on maximising value for money - we’ve seen this with examples of Byrne and Luongo.

Q: Are there any plans to reintroduce a reserve or under 21 side next season?

A: It’s within our plans within the next two seasons to get an under 21 development team.

Q: What is the blueprint for ground development?

A: We have a vision to get a 20,000-seater stadium into Swindon and we’ll be reviewing all options. When we have concrete information we may be able to say more.

Q: Regarding future investment, is this likely to be external with new investors or internal with existing directors?

A: It’s a real mixture of external and current. We always look out for external investment and would welcome it if right for the football club.

Q: How long do you see your term of office at STFC?

A: I’d like to see out the development process of the new training centre, the under 21s and the financial transition to a self-sustainable model. It’s going to be extremely tough times and stressful for all. I can’t currently see any other investors willing to oversee that project right now.

Q: How has the reported £1.2 million shortfall following the withdrawal of Andrew Black’s funding been covered for this season?

A: Investment.

Q: What is your plan for open and honest communications with supporters of the football club, as delivering this can make or break even the very best of business plans?

A: Small fan meetings with representatives of the board.

Q: Have directors or employees have been furnished with expensive new vehicles (over £15k) paid out of company expenses?

A: Company cars are required for businesses in general.

Q: It’s been said club officials or their guests have not paid for hospitality/beverages in the club lounges. Can you confirm company policy in this area?

A: Directors’ guests from both teams, plus FA and Football League guests and referee assessors are entitled to hospitality as is the case at all grounds across the country.

Q: Is it true that new employees of the club (not intended to related to footballing matters) have been hired on significant salaries (over 50k)?

A: There are no salaries of that size.

Q: It has been suggested there has been evidence of “misbehaviour” reported on matchday in the lounges. Can you comment?

A: Unfortunately incidents happen in football and we hope to avoid these going forward.

Q: It has been said that season ticket money has been used either to fund this season’s running expenses and/or used as a “bond” or otherwise to secure evidence of “means” with the football league or other body. Is this true?

A: Season ticket funds are in cashflow for the running of the club along the same principles this club’s accounts have always been run. There are strictly no bonds.

Q: Is there a holding company for the club?

A: Seebeck 87 Ltd.

Q: Who are the majority shareholders?

A: I am the majority shareholder.

Q: Is the investment in equity or by way of a loan?

A: An interest-free loan.

Q: Some fans feel that your “investment” is anticipated to be short-term with a view to a quick turnaround and selling to another willing buyer for a hoped for profit. What would you say to that?

A: I wish. Only joking. I intend to be here for the foreseeable future. I am aiming to see out the overhaul of the club.

Q: Can you comment on Lee Power’s alleged litany of involvement in various companies where football clubs have been losers in the financial sense?

A: See Advertiser statement.

Q: Can you comment on Lee Power’s apparent previous involvement with Mike Diamandis?

A: I don’t know who Mike Diamandis is. I’m unaware of the interaction between him and Lee.

Q: Is Lee Power’s investment equity or loans-based?

A: This has to be reviewed after fit and proper.

Q: As it has been reported Power spends much time outside the UK - what is his precise role and is he salaried?

A: This has to be reviewed, however I see him on the football side using his expertise.

Q: Is he still involved in the racing stables in Oxfordshire?

A: Unknown. This is private life.

Q: Have you received approval under fit and proper person’s test for Lee. If not, do you perceive any issues?

A: Awaiting Football League approval but do not perceive a problem.

Q: With just two listed directors, there are risks outside of the usual - ie dispute, illness. What contingency plan is there if one or either of you are unable to function in your roles?

A: Experienced consultancy staff will step in.

Q: What size crowd are you budgeting for next season?

A: We have averaged the last two seasons, which is roughly 8,400.

Q: The unchanged prices for seson tickets this season were very much welcomed by fans. What is your view of ticket pricing at the stadium? Do you see any radical shifting of price either way?

A: I don’t see any radical changes. In our short time here we have been extremely supporter-sensitive.

Q: Will player sales form an important (regular or otherwise) part of future funding of the business?

A: All football clubs review player sales. Every player has his price in football. Robin van Persie to Man United is an example.

Q: Are there plans in place to make a substantial investment to achieve Championship football as was the previous regime’s plan, or will STFC be a midtable third tier or top of fourth tier side for the forseeable future?

A: The aim is to achieve Championship football and do what’s required to sustain at that level.