In the last 15 years, the Swindon Town fanbase has been subjected to a wealth of unsubstantiated promises from various administrations with regards to the redevelopment of a super-stadium for the Robins.

In reaction to Andrew Fitton’s recent revelations about the scale and intent behind Town’s latest expansion claims, the Swindon Advertiser looks back over almost two decades of broken words.

In 1996 the board announced the construction of a casino at the County Ground. Billed as a way of creating local jobs and increasing the club’s revenue, the notion supposedly broke down over the 80-year-old covenant placed on the ground by the original leasehold passed down by the Goddard family.

Sources at the planning consultants advising the club, however, say that the 1997 general election result, causing a change of government and a tweak in gambling legislation, prevented work from being started.

In 1999 secret negotiations took place between the club, the council and planning consultants to move Swindon Town to the Wichelstowe redevelopment area.

A location owned by the council but leased by the Goddard family, in similar circumstances to the County Ground, was proposed.

Negotiations with the council broke down, however, before the embryonic blueprints could take shape.

In 2001, supposed ‘STFC Saviour’ Terry Brady believed that he would be able to relocate to Swindon’s ‘Front Garden’.

However, despite the council agreeing to afford Brady preferential status, the deal fell through.

“What does preferred status mean? It's like me saying to you that I'd prefer you to win the Lottery on Saturday but that doesn't mean to say you will,” fumed Brady at the time.

The council, meanwhile, worried about the potential loss of profits at selling 125 acres of land to Brady at current cost, remained unenthused. Brady soon left the club as it fell into administration.

Danny Donegan, a property developer with ties to Brady, believed the deal could be recovered but his brief association ended with yet another broken promise.

In 2004 reports insisted that Willie Carson’s boardroom would be moving the club to a “dream home” in West Swindon.

A state-of-the-art all-seater stadium was rumoured to possibly be ready in time for the 2006/07 season.

Costs were to be in excess of £20 million, with a 20,000 capacity but no official drawings were seen.

The proposed site was the Shaw tip, but local residents put up a stubborn fight and the club were forced to back down.

In 2006 a redevelopment campaign for the County Ground began with the club and TrustSTFC raising a petition to 'Save Our Home' urging the Borough Council to facilitate the redevelopment of the stadium and do everything they could to keep the club within the Borough. By and large, the campaign fell on deaf ears.

When Andrew Fittton took over the club in January 2008, his 10-point plan detailed various upgrades to the club.

Although many have been minor in the past twenty months - the replacement of seats and the upgrade of corporate areas - Town’s current owners show a long-term sensibility which many in the past have lacked.

Elsewhere in the country, however, clubs have successfully rebranded themselves within impressive modern stadia - the revenue accumulated from their various moves recouping the original outlay or at least allowing the club in question to survive, and more or less thrive, in the footballing world of today.

Reading opened the Madjeski Stadium in 1998 at a cost of £50 million. But the investment proved to be thoroughly worthwhile as the Royals flew up the divisions and enjoyed two years in the top flight in front of packed houses. The venue was voted as Europe’s Best Mid-Sized Arena by ESPN and international under 21 football, international rugby league and Guinness Premiership rugby is staged there.

The Britannia Stadium cost Stoke £14.7 million when it was unveiled in 1997. Housing 28,000, the ground saw the Potters sensationally secure a second season in England’s top flight last term.

Stoke Council played a major role in the development, but passed on ownership to the club in 2007. The ground has hosted international under 21 football and has options for extension should the side establish themselves as a top tier outfit.

Hull City’s extraordinary rise up the league structured coincided with the completion of the KC Stadium.

Finished at a cost of £44 million in 2002 despite the club stumbling into receivership in 2001, the ground holds 25,000.

Construction was completed within 14 months, on time and in budget and gave Hull the facelift they desperately needed after years playing at the dilapidated Boothferry Park.

Options are available to extend the capacity to 30,000 and the club have the full support of the council, who own the land.

It is evident, therefore, that financial success can be sustained with a move to a new footballing theatre or the redevelopment of an existing arena.

But club’s must support their management just as fans must support their clubs.

The way in which a football side develops from rags to riches hinges on the interaction and co-operation of several parties.

The club, the playing staff, the local council and the fans are all integral to relative success.

Andrew Fitton and his fellow benefactors have invested heavily in Swindon Town FC in their short term in charge, and their confident brief for the future development of the County Ground has an air of authority to it which should please the paying public.

But Swindon Town supporters have been moulded to expect a negative, even in a tide of optimism.

Past administrations ensured that and Fitton and co will have a difficult time proving otherwise - but the town, in all its elements, should allow this board the support they need.