I read with amazement last week that Swindon Town FC have to fork out £14,500 a month in rent over £150,000 a year. For what?

Recently, members of the council have, through your newspaper, reminded us that unless the football club pays up its gates will be shut.

Ian Dobie was quoted as saying that the council has "put in a lot of money over a number of years "

Town fans will be amazed by this outburst and many are scratching their heads to think of any visible signs of where this money has gone.

The best, most forward-thinking, councils in this country support their professional clubs, recognising that they provide much needed employment. Furthermore, they realise that success for a team on the pitch raises the whole profile of a town off it (remember the fantastic scenes after the Wembley triumph in 1993?)

The posturing of the council has encouraged other nonentities like your Mr Heaton-Jones to jump on the bandwagon and have a pop at the football club.

The chairman and directors should respond to his irrelevant drivel by inviting him to attend the Town's first league game against Barnsley. Seat in the Town End, Peter?

MARK MERRIMAN

Cheltenham Drive, Chippenham