TOWN chairman Willie Carson believes the club are on the threshold of "an exciting new era" but admits he is refusing to turn any cartwheels before the ink is dry on a proposed takeover.

The club's future suddenly seems a lot brighter after the board released a statement yesterday revealing they have attracted "significant investment" that will see a new consortium take over within the next eight weeks.

Carson insists the Robins are "in the best shape they have been for the last 10 years" but admits he is reluctant to count his chickens after previous disappointments.

Due diligence is expected to commence soon with Carson cautiously optimistic that brighter times are ahead.

He said: "We are at the start of getting things done and hopefully it will all go through without any problems.

"But I don't want to be saying too much until it all happens.

"The ink is not dry on the paper yet but of course we are hopeful it will be soon.

"This will be a significant move forward for Swindon Town and everything seems to be in place to take this club out of the financial problems they have had for years.

"But Swindon have been dogged by complications in the past so I don't want to say too much until the padlock is actually padlocked."

Carson admits the last few years have been a "nightmare" financially for the club but is confident the potential investment would finally secure the club's long-term future.

He said: "Over the last six months there have been meetings and things going on and hopefully finally we have been able to achieve some investment to move the club forward.

"At the moment my position is still unclear.

"It looks like we are at the start of a new era though.

"We are getting there.

"This club is in the best shape it has been in the last 10 years.

"It has taken a long time but our financial problems look like they are over.

"Hopefully that will enable us to buy some better players and put a great team together again.

"We already have a great manager.

"All I can say is that Swindon Town are on a good road.

"We are on a flat straight autobahn but being Swindon Town you half expect a tractor to dig a trench in front of us."