SWINDON TOWN: SWINDON Town director Bob Holt says the club are still suffering a financial hangover' from their days in the Championship.

The majority shareholders held a meeting last night, called by Bill Power's business partner Phil Emmel, to discuss the club's overspend and to clear the air between directors.

Holt said: "We have got to look for savings because we are not a Championship side and we have to cut our budget accordingly.

"We no longer have a massive debt but we also do not have a massive income."

Holt added that Power's initial investment when he joined the club, thought to be around £1 million, had run out and it was hoped he would overwrite the cost of any shortfalls the Robins are suffering.

Chief executive Mark Devlin, who survived a plane crash in August, had been unaware of the overspend until recently.

He said: "For those of us who have been away recovering, the matter of overspend has only come to light over the last few days."

Devlin, who hopes to return to work next week, admitted he was disappointed board room wrangles had tarnished the club's good start to the season. He said: "I do not think it is very healthy and it is a really big shame when the team is doing so well.

"Something like this can creep up especially in business and the issues have to be resolved and the board have to give the fans and the club their full support."

Holt said the club needed to look at other sides in League Two as role models.

He said: "Many clubs in this division have their chief executive also working as their club secretary and their marketing manager, whereas we have a lot of people on high wages.

"Torquay United are a great example because they have so many volunteers."

Holt was keen to stress there was no blame culture in the boardroom and the common goal was to control the budget, which was stretched to the limit by the signing of Paul Ince.

He said: "We are not blaming anybody but we have got to find out when, why and who authorised the expenditure."

The club have reacted by laying off long serving secretary Linda Birrell.

According to Devlin, the Robins also had to prove to the Football League the signing of former England international Ince, part-financed by a £60,000 donation by James Wills, son of majority shareholder Sir Seton, would not push wages over 60 per cent of the club's turnover and break regulations.

Secretary Birrell, who had been at the club since 1999, had been used as a secretary by former managers Andy King and Iffy Onuora.

However, current boss Dennis Wise has so far had no need to use Birrell because he is only at the County Ground for board meetings and matches.

Birrell, 40, and who has lived in Swindon for 20 years, said: "It came as a complete shock, right out of the blue, once they told me I just left and that was it. I have received loads of calls and letters from colleagues wishing me well and enjoyed my time at the club."

Holt added: "The board took the view some time ago that we could save some money in that area.

"People think we have taken it lightly and it is not fun but unfortunately it happens. It was very difficult because Linda is my friend."

Holt allayed fears more jobs would be lost, saying: "I can't see where we can cut people but we can certainly cut costs."

Holt and the board have been running the club since the plane crash on the opening day of the season which almost claimed the lives of Power, Devlin, his son Stan, and sales and marketing manager Mike Sullivan.

Holt said: "We haven't had any contact with Bill except a letter saying he was still too ill to return and was suffering post accident trauma.

"It is terribly frustrating but we have the easy job of steering the ship while they recover."

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