Swindon blame falling attendances for the funding gap

Customs & Excise has given the club a deadline of 2 February to pay the debt, which Swindon's directors say will be paid within the next week.

The cash injection will come from major shareholder Sir Seton Wills and property developer St Modwen.

The club is blaming a shortfall in attendances for the problem.

At the start of the season Swindon said they needed an average of about 7,000 at each game to break even.

Family support

Some attendances have been down as low as 5,000 this season following patchy form on the pitch.

The winding up petition for unpaid VAT from Customs & Excise is the latest financial blow to the club which has flirted with administration before.

Director Bob Holt said in a statement that the funding gap was of "some concern".

"It is common knowledge that Swindon relies heavily on the support of the major shareholder, the Wills family, without which this club would not exist.

"Until we have bigger gates or additional revenue streams from a new stadium this club will continue to struggle each year to meet its financial obligations."

St Modwen and the club are currently investigating locations for a new ground to replace the aging County Ground.

In 2003, the club faced opposition to plans to build on the Shaw Community Forest in the west of the town.

The club, St Modwen, and the borough council are now examining the potential of developing on the County Ground in the centre of town.