Andy Cryer talks exclusively to former Town hero and Sky Sports football pundit Chris Kamara about his old club's prospects.

CHRIS Kamara believes the promise of new investment could finally help Town start looking like a top club again while tipping Paul Sturrock to restore the glory days on the field.

The former Town midfielder and Sky Sports pundit admits the County Ground needs to shed its shabby image before any dreams of further progress can be realised - and believes the imminent investment could be the answer.

With just two days to go before the big League One kick-off, Kamara has assured Town fans they could not wish for a better man at the helm but warns before the past can really be revisited changes need to be made off the field.

He said: "I was very interested to hear about this investment that could be coming into the club.

"I wonder what has happened to all the money they got from their success.

"They were in the Premier League but you would not know that by the facilities.

"Looking at it it is the same as when I was here under Lou Macari all those years ago.

"The dressing rooms are exactly the same. I remember getting promotion from the old division three and being in the baths afterwards. They are exactly the same as they are now.

"I hope someone can come in and invest in the state of the stadium as well as on the pitch.

"Players appreciate playing in nice surroundings and maybe Town don't have that pull at the moment.

"You know you are being successful when the facilities are good."

While insistent a revamp is needed around the ground, Kamara believes all the ingredients are already in place to achieve success on the field.

Town travel to Northampton for their season-opener on Saturday and Kamara insists if things are right off-the-field, Sturrock's men will do the business on it.

He said: "Paul Sturrock knows exactly what he is doing. He is a good manager who did brilliantly at Plymouth.

"I think he was a little shortchanged at Sheffield Wednesday and Southampton, at Sheffield they were definitely on the rise and it was Swindon's gain and their loss.

"He is an astute enough manager to know exactly what is required in League One. He knows the foreign market as well and knows what type of players he can bring in.

"I would say maybe not next season but the year after they should definitely be looking for promotion again. This season would be a bonus."

A combative midfielder in his prime, Kamara made 298 appearances for Town between 1977 to 1988, during two spells at the County Ground.

His first spell at the club saw him help Town to a League Cup semi final, before losing to Wolves, while between 1985-1988 he was part of Lou Macari's side that won back to back promotions.

He said: "I am sure the good times will come again at Swindon. I tell people about the days under Bobby Smith when we had 27,000 people out there, and some fantastic cup runs.

"They don't believe me but it did happen.

"People are even still sceptical that Swindon were a Premier League side 10 years ago but it is a fact.

"It is in the history books and shows Swindon do have good times.

"These times have been very few and far between but they have been there and they will come again, I am sure of that.

"Team spirit got us through a lot. The thing I have noticed in my involvement in football is it is the same everywhere.

"No matter what level you play, it is the team that is the most together will come out on top.

"If you have one or two problems in the camp then you won't get the best out of the team. It shows on the pitch."