A NEW supporters’ consortium will take charge of Swindon Supermarine with immediate effect, finally putting any doubts over the club’s Southern League future to bed.

There were fears that Marine could be forced to ply their trade in the Hellenic League next season - or even fold - as the club fought for its life as a financially viable organisation.

But following a two-hour meeting last night between the now former executive committee and a supporters’ group, ownership of the Hunts Copse outfit has changed hands, and the new supremos have guaranteed the funds to keep Supermarine running as a competitive Southern League Premier Division side.

Former boss Mark Collier, who only quit the hotseat last month, has been reinstated as manager, with ex-chairman Steve Moore and ex-secretary Judi Moore taking on temporary advisory capacities before leaving the club.

No new chairman is in place yet, but the Advertiser understands the supporters’ group are confident of finding one before the start of the new season.

The Moores were unavailable for comment last night as the Advertiser went to print, but Collier believes there is a lot to look forward to at the club with these changes in place.

“I have been asked me to come back as manager and I was delighted to say yes,” said the 51-year-old, who was present at the meeting.

“I left because the club brought in a new director of football (Richard Carter) who I could not work with.

“But he has gone now so that problem has been eradicated.

“I am comfortable with the people running the club now.

“They are committed, have the best interests of the club at heart and really want to take it forward.

“This is a genuinely exciting time for Swindon Supermarine and we can really start to look to the future after a worrying few weeks.

“Now I have got the job of trying to sign some players as we are playing catch-up on other teams.”