BOB HOLT admits Town's High Court battle with Danny Donegan promises to be a lengthy and messy affair but insists it will not cost the club a penny.

A mystery third party is financing a legal claim which could net Town more than a million pounds if it is successful.

The same party will be saddled with the costs if the case goes against the club.

Administrator Andrew Andronikou, with the backing of the present board, has set in motion a process which could take at least a year to resolve.

Danny Donegan, Peter Rowe and Gary Lux are being sued for what the administrator calls 'several erroneous payments made between March 14, 2001 and October 18, 2001.

It is also being argued that Neil Ruddock's three-year contract was 'grossly excessive and unjustifiable.'

The club accept Ruddock's contract is water-tight but want money back to finance his wages.

Mr Holt is expecting Mr Donegan and company to put up a fight but he said it was not Swindon Town's future which was at stake.

He said: "I can't really go into details for legal reasons and fear of prejudicing our case but I want to make it clear this action is not being funded by the club.

" A third party is providing the finance for the administrator to pursue this matter.

"It is felt that money has been spent which should not have been and the case is being brought to try and get it back.

"These things are rarely straightforward and it could take at least a year to resolve.

"But this action will not effect the other areas of the club, including the playing side."

While the lawyers prepare to do battle, Town's next big clash is the CVA meeting, where creditors will effectively decide the club's fate.

That meeting is now likely to take place on or around May 21, following a delay in sending out letters to the creditors.

Mr Holt said: "We are hoping to get the notification letters out on Tuesday, but I can't guarantee that 100 per cent as yet.

"If the creditors agree to the package they are offered, as we hope they will, it will allow the club to move forward.

"Specifically on the football side, it will allow the PFA loan (around £70,000) to be repaid and the embargo will then be lifted."

That is music to the ears of Andy King, who has already missed out on Nottingham Forest winger Andy Gray.

He said: "I just hope the creditors situation is resolved and hopefully the embargo will then be lifted and allow me to do the 'shopping' that I want."

Some new faces would go down well with supporters who are still unhappy with the rise in season ticket and match day prices.

However, it seems likely that there will be some good news announced by the club tomorrow for season ticket holders in the wings of the two main stands and for those who purchase individual match tickets in advance.

Mr Holt said: "Prices are being discussed but nothing has been finalised yet."