MARK DEVLIN'S personal vision is to see Swindon Town thriving in a new stadium within the next three to four years.

To that end, several sites in the town have already been looked at, with a preferred choice being identified.

Speaking at the club's fans forum last night, Town's chief executive left supporters in no doubt that the future lies elsewhere.

He said: "Without doubt the board believe that the long term future of the club is probably away from the County Ground and at a purpose-built stadium with modern facilities.

"Facilities which will allow the club to generate the extra revenue thhat we need to compete in Division One.

"I understand supporters do become attached to a stadium and maybe a particular seat in it but to move on and progress you need new facilities.

"Several sites have been looked at. Several interested parties keen to assist the club have been spoken to although we haven't reached any agreements with anyone in particular but we're close with several people.

"There is one site that we probably prefer more than the others because it fits with the criteria that we're looking for but it also meets the criteria of all the interested parties such as the the Highways Agency and the Council."

As for a time scale, Devlin has a clear idea of how he would like things to develop.

He said: "My personal vision would be that maybe within the next three to four years that we could be able to move into a new stadium.

"I can't guarantee that but it's what I very much hope we can achieve."

Devlin confirmed that if a new stadium was to be built, the supporters would not be faced with a journey into the back of beyond to roar on their heroes.

He said: "It would be as close as possible to the current site."

As for the more immediate future, several supporters present at the forum raised the issue of ticket prices once again and Devlin stressed again that the prices were in place to ensure the club was not left with a void it was unable to fill.

Manager Andy King dealt with numerous football-related questions, revealing that Leigh Mills has yet to reach a decision on his future and that Tranmere Rovers have cast admiring glances in Sean O'Hanlon's direction.

He is therefore anxious to tie the deal up as speedily as possible.

As for current stars, King hailed Tommy Mooney's role since arriving at the club, rejected talk of a return for Michael Reddy and admitted that some players would be surplus to requirements if the team achieved promotion to Division One at the end of the current campaign.