THE VIC MORGAN COLUMN (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

THE VIC MORGAN COLUMN

10:39pm Wednesday 17th October 2012 in Sport

Former Swindon Town chairman Jeremy Wray

“THINGS may come, Things may go, but the Art School dance goes on forever...” The title of a long forgotten progressive rock album by Pete Brown may seem irrelevant to the average Swindon Town fan but somehow this week it’s never been MORE relevant. A fortnight ago I wrote that all seemed well at the County Ground. Results were going well and the football was beginning to flow. So what could possibly disturb the equilibrium? Well this week it’s been well and truly disturbed. We’ve a new chairman and rumours abound about the future of the manager. “Will he stay or will he go?” The various statements from the relevant parties have all tried to reassure that things won’t change. It appears Sir William Patey has been brought in to secure new investment and press ahead with ground redevelopment. All good.

Sir William’s diplomatic credentials appear immaculate and he also looks a very big hitter in the business world. Again all good. So why the uncertainty? Mainly it’s because any change unsettles. As Swindon fans we’ve seen our share of comings and goings. Just when you think the water’s lovely a great big shark comes along to make you think again. Last week our main concern was the transfer embargo recently placed on the club. Somehow, even though that was said to be a minor problem, it became the precursor to these major changes in the past few days. So is there any need for panic? Well if you look at the various social networking sites and forums it’s an event of cataclysmic proportions. Every view has been expressed from “let’s wait and see” to something akin to the apocalypse. The MOST important thing is the football club. It appears the men in charge are still thinking of a place in the Championship. I’ve seen no signs that they’re about to withdraw investment and plunge the Town back into the financial abyss I mentioned last week. In fact it appears more investment is what they seek. So let’s keep the wailing and gnashing of teeth until that’s necessary. Too much teeth grinding can be painful.

To finish, a word about Jeremy Wray. Thank you for being a chairman who was approachable, open and willing to talk to the fans. Sometimes boardrooms are a closed shop to supporters and that shouldn’t be. That dialogue HAS to continue under the new structure to build trust. We wish you well Mr Wray and thanks for an unforgettable few months in charge. Let’s hope that Art School dance goes on forever.