INSPIRATIONAL skipper Hasney Aljofree has promised Town's long-suffering supporters he will not be following manager Paul Sturrock back to Plymouth Argyle.

With Sturrock unveiled as the new Pilgrims boss yesterday, fans had already begun to speculate whether the Scot would look to sign some of the senior Town players in the January transfer window, but Aljofree insists his future lies in Wiltshire.

The former Argyle centre-half, right, is just months into his three-year contract with the Robins, and says he is not about to jump ship for another crack at Championship football.

"I'm a Swindon Town player and until I'm told otherwise by the powers that be I will give everything I have got to this club," Aljofree told the Swindon Advertiser.

"I have come here and signed a three-year deal so I'm not going anywhere, unless somebody tells me I'm not wanted.

"We're sitting pretty in the league, we are quietly going along okay and we've still got a lot to play for."

Aljofree, who was made County Ground captain by Sturrock, described the news of Luggy's departure as a "sad day for all concerned".

Having played under Sturrock at Home Park, Aljofree said he was not surprised to see his mentor return to the Devon coast.

He said: "Paul tried to do a lot for the club but obviously his hands were tied half the time he's been here.

"He was said to say goodbye to us the other day but he feels he has unfinished business in Plymouth. He's a hero down there.

"It's a shame he's gone, and everyone's disappointed. Managers come and go, players come and go , but the football club is always going to be here.

"There's a big cloud over the club regarding this takeover business and now we haven't got a manager, so as soon as that is sorted everything will look a lot better."

As revealed in the Swindon Advertiser yesterday, head of youth Dave Byrne will not be following Sturrock back to Plymouth.

Byrne was confirmed as Town's caretaker boss along with club captain Ady Williams yesterday, and immediately moved to put the record straight.

He said: "I've read in the papers that I'm the next one out the door to Plymouth, but that's not the case.

"I'm happy at Swindon, I owe Swindon a great deal - they gave me my first opportunity back in the game as a coach.'' "So I aim to repay them, whether that is with the youth team or the first team who knows?"

In his farewell to Town fans yesterday, Sturrock said the town "deserved" the takeover to go through and that he was praying for a successful conclusion to the negotiations.

Town director Bob Holt revealed the Andrew-Fitton led takeover was not in jeopardy and believes a deal could be concluded as early as Friday.

Holt also revealed that Fitton would be consulted in the search for Sturrock's successor, which has already begun in earnest.