DEFIANT protests turned into unbridled joy at the County Ground last night as a conditional Town takeover was finally signed to pave the way for a brighter future.

Andrew Fitton's multi-million pound consortium put pen to paper on the deal late last night, with the Swindon Advertiser exclusively breaking the news to the supporters on our website.

Clarity is still wanted with certain conditions needed to be ironed out by January 11 for the takeover to become permanent, but for now Town fans will just be relieved they still have a team to support at tomorrow's clash with Hartlepool United.

As our revelation trickled through last night, an angry throng of fans had assembled at SN1 to voice their fury.

But the jeers soon turned to cheers with the club's future seemingly secured at last.

The consortium, called Swindon Football Holdings Limited, has entered a conditional agreement to purchase 75 per cent of the club's shares, with former owners the Wills family expected to retain 23 per cent.

The agreement is conditional on the vendors satisfying the purchasers on certain conditions, including matters relating to Shaw Park Developments and HR Revenue and Customs, not later than January 11.

With crippling debts hanging over their head, concerns still remain about the club's immediate future, but both parties are confident the remaining issues will be ironed out, securing a sound financial future.

Fitton's consortium will take control of football matters at the club from today with former QPR director Nick Watkins expected to be unveiled as chief executive designate.

The purchasers, who include Jeremy Wray, are keeping the identity of some of their backers anonymous but the Advertiser understands the consortium are worth well over £500 million.

The new owners are expected to step up their hunt for a new manager with the intention of appointing Paul Sturrock's successor in time for the FA Cup third round clash against Barnet on January 5.

Andrew Fitton said last night: "I am pleased we are nearly there.

"The hard work of reorganising the club starts immediately."

Leyton Orient boss and former Town midfielder Martin Ling is thought to top their wish-list, but names such as Martin Allen, Micky Adams and Walter Zenga have also applied for the County Ground hot-seat.