Apparently my letter and others upset Mr Heaton-Jones as we didn't answer his question.

Sorry, Mr Heaton-Jones, I didn't realise you actually had a point to make underneath the sneering, sniping and stirring. But apparently I and others did not answer the question as to why the council should not immediately call in the money it is owed by Swindon Town and force the club to fold?

Well it's quite straightforward, really Mr Heaton-Jones. First, the club employs dozens of local people who work very hard and I would imagine get very upset when radio presenters casually demand they be tossed out of their jobs. Second, with an average gate of 6,500 last season, the club brought significant revenue to the town not just from away fans but Swindon fans from other parts of Wiltshire and the South West who may not otherwise have chosen to visit Swindon to spend their money in our pubs, clubs, restaurants, garages etc, etc.

Significantly more than your angling friends spend on maggots, I'll wager.

The club also makes significant contributions to the community in the form of the excellent learning centre for children and adults in the town, the many fitness and sports programmes run by the club for the benefit of local children at a time when the 'couch potato culture' is a cause of national concern, such programmes are crucial.

Finally, and perhaps most importantly, is the fact that a vibrant healthy football club is a vital part of any town's culture the club is part of what makes our community and it would be a foolish and blinkered council (or minor local radio presenter) who would be prepared to let all that go to the wall.

So there you are Mr Heaton-Jones: local jobs, money coming into the local economy, and strengthening local community bonds. If that isn't a core part of the council's remit, then what on earth is?

No-one is proposing that the club should not pay back the money owed to the council of course it must. But if the council pulls the plug, not only will the money be lost but an irreplaceable and vital part of the town's life will die forever.

The fact is you wrote a snidey, nasty piece designed solely to stir up a fuss well fair enough, you presumably see that as your job, but don't now get on your high horse and pretend you had a serious point to make.

Paul Davis

Coate Cottages

Coate, Swindon