Swindon Town have urged fans to stay positive over the coming weeks, insisting yesterday's announcement of new investment has given the club renewed optimism for the future.

While the identity of the new suitors remains a mystery, while they undergo a short period of checking the books, Town are confident their arrival could prove the saviour of the club.

With BEST Holdings apparently not willing to go away quietly, with disputes still to be settled between the two parties, but Town have urged fans to concentrate on cheering their side towards the play-offs.

A lock-out payment" has been made by the new party, which will keep major creditor the Inland Revenue off their back for the next few weeks as they try and conclude a successful takeover.

An official statement said: "An agreed payment to HMRC has been made which will stay any potential legal proceedings while a period of due diligence takes place.

"This assurance has been confirmed to the supervisor of the club's CVA, Andrew Andronikou, by the Inland Revenue.

"Today's announcement gives the club renewed optimism for the future.

"We appeal to our loyal fan-base to remain positive over the coming weeks while contracts with the new investors are finalised.

"The shareholders, directors and staff at the club understand the concerns of the supporters.

"Everyone at STFC is striving for the same objectives, namely the successful transfer of ownership, financial stability and accompanying success on the pitch.

"The club would like to thank all Swindon Town fans for their continued support during this difficult time and look forward to everyone getting behind Paul Sturrock and his team on Saturday, when a win could take the team back into the play-off places."

The protracted takeover talks with BEST Holdings were looking increasingly troubled as time wore on with the deal at stalemate.

Town yesterday insisted it was the length of time taken by BEST Holdings to conclude the deal and provide the financial support immediately required that ultimately ended in its failure.

The statement read: "It has been well documented that dialogue continued between the club's shareholders, BEST Holdings and their respective legal representatives in an attempt to finalise the agreement.

"During September 2007 the shareholders and the club's CVA supervisor Andrew Andronikou of Hacker Young began expressing concerns at the time being taken to conclude the deal with BEST Holdings.

"In view of these concerns exploratory talks were initiated with another interested party.

"The club has now been able to grant this alternative investment group a short period of exclusivity to negotiate the purchase of the club.

"Over the last two months, while BEST Holdings talks continued the Wills family supported the club as they have done so for many years.

"However they accept that it is now time to pass on the responsibilities for so doing to new investors."