THE proof, for many, will be in the appointment and this summer’s subsequent wheeling and dealing, but it certainly appears a sea change in the operation of Swindon Town under the stewardship of Lee Power is in motion.

The vibes emanating from the chairman’s direction, that his next manager will be handed a budget and be given 100 per cent control over incomings and outgoings represent not so much a 180 degree about-turn from previous practice than a complete ripping up of the ‘Swindon Town Way.’

Not before time for many County Ground followers, who have watched on in dismay as Town squads have been thrown together, augmented by a sprinkling of other people’s talent, and then ripped apart to be replaced by largely inferior versions in the last two or three seasons.

Their lament will be that it has taken a hugely depressing relegation to the English Football League’s bottom tier for that change to come about, when it seemed profoundly obvious to many throughout the past 18 months at least that the previous plan - or at least the implementation of it - was not cutting the mustard.

Firstly, a caveat. We have yet to have flesh added to the bare bones from Power (inset) about how this change in strategy will manifest itself, or how favourably or otherwise the budget will compare to previous incarnations, notwithstanding the new league circumstances that Town will be getting used to next season.

Secondly - and most importantly - the identity of the new individual into the Town hotseat has yet to be revealed, despite strong indications that Steve Evans is being heavily courted.

The former Crawley, Leeds and Rotherham chief undoubtedly divides opinion - as Power does in Wiltshire - but both his strong personality and experience managing in the bottom two rungs of the EFL would in all likelihood offer more convincing evidence that the change in approach at Town was genuine and tangible.

Which brings us back to the club’s owner, whose vision, actions and attitude have come under intense past scrutiny and criticism, particularly in the last few months of the recent dire campaign.

If, as is suggested, Power - who as recently as January said ‘nothing would change’ in his outlook for the club - has picked over the bones of the season just gone, delved into what went wrong and has effected a change in philosophy then the man who, by his own admission does not alter course easily, would merit considerable credit for such a volte-face.

It’s one thing to admit you got it wrong, quite another to act so decisively upon it.

Of course, there is no guarantee of success and it will be remarked upon that Town are again embarking on yet another new cycle.

And it would be self-defeating to throw out the concept of nurturing young talent, or carefully unearthing gems in the loan market, entirely, especially for a club in which ongoing finances remain a legitimate concern.

Yet one suspects many Town supporters would welcome the end of both a ‘head coach’ having his hands tied by playing style and personnel dictated to from above his head and the poorly-conceived and ill-fated ‘director of football’ experiment.

Their main desire all along has been to follow a team, rather than a project.