SWINDON Town are planning to “create something special” at the County Ground after securing ownership in a joint venture with its fans.

The football club and the supporters’ trust will take joint charge of the site and oversee around £22.5 million of improvements over the next seven years after an agreement to buy the lease from Swindon Borough Council for £2.3m was agreed.

The council has owned the land since 1927 but the supporters’ trust proposed a transfer of ownership in 2015 then decided to split it 50/50 with the club. Ownership changes, legal disputes and the pandemic threw spanners into the works, but the sale has now been agreed and all that’s needed is for the legal teams to dot the i’s and cross the t’s.

A press conference held to announce the good news promised a positive outlook for the future of the venue which, in seven years’ time, will have revamped stands and facilities as well as a £20m hotel and conference centre complex.

Supporters’ Trust chairman Steve Mytton said a public consultation will be carried out once the sale has gone through so supporters can offer suggestions for the future of the site.

He said: “Within that vision, we can shoot for the sky and dream big then build a sensible development plan with improvements supporters approve of.

“We’ve sat and watched the stadium slowly decay, so something needed to change, otherwise it would have got worse. This joint venture is the best way forward and will ensure the ground is in good hands.

“It’s unique in world football - I’ve not heard of any arrangements like this, it’s usually just the club or just the supporters. It will put Swindon on the map and can be a huge positive case study other football clubs might want to look at in the future, it’s got all the ingredients of success.

“We have huge plans to make this stadium something to be proud of.”

Swindon Town CEO Rob Angus was part of the Supporters’ Trust when this process began then continued to work on its progress and sort out Town’s dismal finances after taking on a top role in the football club.

He said: “Taking on the ground allows us to invest in it, look at how to develop it, and ensure the future legacy of the stadium for generations to come.

“Clem’s invested heavily to get the debts balanced, there’s been good season ticket sales and we’ve had record attendances not seen since the Premier League years. The club’s next accounts will show a much stronger financial position.

“The challenge is to make sure the developments drive demand from people. If you’ve got sports bars and good restaurants, whatever we decide to put here, and it’s a great experience, hopefully we can attract more people down here and make them want to come back.

“Swindon does not have enough great venues so this is a real opportunity for us to create something special for the town. If all goes well, we’d hope to start doing the work in the off-season next year and we’re moving it as quickly as we can.”

Swindon Borough Council leader David Renard said: “This is a really important day for Swindon.

“The council owned many assets and a football ground wasn’t near the top of the list to invest money in. The club hasn’t had a stake in it so there has not been a will from any of the previous owners to invest in it, but this transfer will allow that investment to happen.

“It gives certainty and security for all parties concerned. I’m delighted to say the deal is nearly done and we look forward to a bright future for the club, the supporters and the town.”