Swindon Town FC Exemplifies Lower League Problems

Lower league clubs are increasingly talking of big cuts in the size of their squads in the summer. The problems they face are exemplified by Swindon Town FC, lower mid-table in League 1. The Wiltshire club had one season in the Premiership, but has recently been in administration twice. A consortium bought it in January last year and paid off its £5m debts. The club was just beginning to get back on a sound financial footing when the recession struck. It is now difficult to find match sponsors at £1,250 a game or sponsors of individual players. The club has lost £30,000 because hard-hit local businesses are no longer hiring the County Ground's conference facilities. The charge for advertising boards has been reduced from £3,000 to £2,000 a season which will cost another £25,000. The club is raffling the naming rights to one stand and has reduced the size of the programme to save money. A FA cup run can help, but Swindon were knocked out in the first round. The club has begun selling half-price tickets to the unemployed. As for relegation, no one dares mention the word.