The following is an excerpt from our newsletter sent to TrustSTFC members earlier today. We are formally sharing this to ensure all STFC fans are aware of recent developments.
Advisory Board
Following the events at the last Advisory Board on 7th November, together with the Official Supporters Club, we proposed updated Terms of Reference to ensure that the meeting remained transparent and true to its original aims when it was launched more than three years ago.
The Trust and OSC requested a date for the subsequent meeting to take place in early January but the Club pushed it back to the 28th. Last week, the Club cancelled the 28th and is yet to provide a date when they will be available.
We will continue to collect questions sent to us over the last two months and will advise members of the new date as soon as one is agreed.
If you have a question please raise it using “Question for Advisory Board” in the subject line to info@truststfc.com.
Joint Venture & County Ground Development
Despite numerous reassurances that initial development plans for the DRS would be presented to the Joint Venture Board on 28th January, as they have for the Advisory Board, the Club have cancelled the scheduled board meeting and no new date has yet been offered.
As we approach the second anniversary of the purchase of the stadium from Swindon Borough Council, it remains of great concern that with a little over 12 months before the deadline to achieve planning consent and to have signed contracts on a development project of at least £1m in value, no concepts have been produced by the Club.
At the May 2024 JV Board Meeting, a timeline was agreed which targeted first draft proposals by the end of September 2024.
Regardless of when the concepts are circulated, the Trust will ensure members and supporters are consulted with all feedback provided to the Club. This will then result in a final Club proposal being presented to the JV and then to Trust members ahead of a membership vote in relation to the scheme.
We will update members on the timing of next steps as soon as we are able.
Support from TrustSTFC
As a footballing community, we all benefit hugely from volunteers going the extra mile to help on matchdays or to support those who are less fortunate than others. Over the last couple of months, the Trust have been proud to make contributions to two different groups.
It’s not widely known that the ball boys and ball girls for every home match are arranged by the fantastic team over at the Community Foundation. Around 12-14 youngsters, all of which play in one of the many Foundation Park teams, volunteer their time to sit around the pitch and up on the Stratton Bank each week. They may not get much attention but the match couldn’t go ahead without them.
When the Trust found out that even on the coldest and wettest of days the youngsters had to buy their own refreshments from the Club, we were delighted to step in and pay for drinks vouchers for each of them for every match through to the end of the season.

A quick thanks to Shane and Grace at Foundation Park and Caroline and Chris at the Club for helping us put the vouchers in place so quickly. We were also delighted to help Caroline Lane, Disability Liaison Officer at the Club, when she told us how much the bad weather was impacting our disabled supporters.

The Trust has purchased and donated fifty blankets for use by an amazing group of supporters who turn up in all weathers to cheer on the lads. Blankets are available from Caroline or from the Disabled Kiosk in the Don Rogers Stand.
Both the blankets and drinks vouchers are only made possible by TrustSTFC members’ contributions and we are pleased that we are able to make such a contribution to the matchday experience.
…and finally
On and off the pitch, it feels like there are a big 12-18 months coming up at the Nigel Eady County Ground. There will be votes on the stadium development and an ongoing focus on the Club’s ownership and financial stability in the short, medium and long term.
The Trust exists to represent the footballing community of Swindon Town. Please encourage your friends and families to become a member and secure their vote and have their say in the future of our fantastic Club!
Come on you reds!
#COYR
TrustSTFC Board