Under orders

One of four interim directors appointed yesterday, Carson said the retention of Roy Evans was high on the list of priorities.

The new directors held their first board meeting after yesterday's EGM and decided Carson should serve as chairman.

It was also agreed that current chief executive Pete Rowe be asked to continue in his present role, to which he happily agreed.

Carson said the days of bold promises to supporters were in the past. The hard work now started to see just how a big mess the club was actually in.

Figures banded about at yesterday's EGM suggested the club's debt was about £3.5 million.

In a joint statement, the new board said an urgent financial appraisal of the club's present position was underway and that budget and cash flow forecasts were also being prepared.

Carson said: "We desperately want Roy Evans to stay.

"The team is doing reasonably well but it needs investment of course.

"We will have to talk to Roy but it is up to him whether he stays or not."

"We have got some funds available. We know there's not enough there but it will keep us going for some time until we can sort things out and get the club on a level playing field."

Carson said if Town were a likened to a horse then recent form left a lot to be desired.

He said: "We don't know the state of the club. But we do understand it's not in good form, to use a racing term, and we just want to tell the shareholders what the state of the club is and go from there.

"We're back on board just to try and straighten things out.

"There hasn't been an AGM here for over two-and-a-half years.

Carson said financial motivation was not the reason behind the consortium's desire to take control of the club.

He said: "The present board are not here to make money."

"We have all got ideas but whether we can put them into place is another thing.

"We are not going to give promises. The club's had enough promises that haven't been delivered."

Mr Carson said his racing commitments would not begin in earnest until March next year, so there would be plenty of time to devote himself to the club as a director.

He said: "Unpaid, as it has been in the past.

"Everybody's got the idea that directors get paid.

"Well I'm afraid Swindon Town directors pay for the privilege."

As for the dark cloud of Danny Donegan's £1.2 million debenture, the new board welcomed his public statement that he would not be calling it in.

The new directors said this news filled them with confidence that the club's financial and footballing future will be secure in its new hands.

Fellow interim director Nick Prescott said: "Now the real work starts.

As for dealing with club debts estimated at £3.5 million, Mr Prescott said it was difficult to make a comment without seeing the figures.

He said: "When we have a proper sight of the figures on paper we can make judgements from then."

"What everyone wants to know is are we going to start steering the ship in the right direction?

"Certainly Roy Evans is important at the moment and we'll be keen to sit down with him and see what his thoughts are."

"We will try and call an AGM before the end of January at which we can open up for more detailed debate."

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