A court case sparked by a dispute between two former directors of the club is threatening the future of Swindon Town.
Club owner Andrew Fitton has told the Swindon Advertiser that the dispute, between Bill Power and long term owner the Wills family, has already cost him and his board £400,000 and the bill could top £2million if Power wins the argument as many expect.
Power is suing the club for the £1.12million he invested into the Robins in 2006. The Wills family, Fitton says, agreed to indemnify his new board and the club against the action but their holding company that issued the guarantee subsequently went bust leaving Power squaring up directly with the club he tried to buy in early 2007.
Fitton subsequently bought the club around 15 months ago from the jaws of oblivion, with £5million of debt and missed CVA payments meaning that the club would have folded but for his takeover. However this court case, which was heard last month with a judgement due shortly, could force the club over the edge: "This thing is hanging over the club's head and we cannot get it to go away because it is not our fault – but ultimately the club is going to pay the price.
"Let's see what happens. We have to hope for the best and plan for the worst."