Fitton completes Swindon takeover

Fitton, who has been installed as the Robins' new chairman, confirmed his consortium is now running the Coca-Cola League One side, who are around £4million in debt, putting an end to a long-running saga which began in November.

"Of now we are completely in control," Fitton told the club's official website, www.swindontownfc.co.uk.

"The board of Swindon Town Football Club will be made up of myself, Jeremy Wray, Russell Backhouse and Nick Watkins who has taken on the role of chief executive.

"I will act as chairman and that will be the board for the foreseeable future. We like to operate our businesses with a small board at the start, but that may change as time goes on."

The Wiltshire businessman also used this morning's press conference to unveil the man he and his associates want to take the club forward on the pitch - former Motherwell boss Malpas, who has spent the last 10 days waiting for the takeover to be completed so his appointment could be sealed.

Malpas, who will be joined by former caretaker boss David Byrne as his assistant, admitted his relief at finally being able to take charge and has immediately set his sights on guiding Town into this season's play-offs.

"It's been a frustrating week for me because I have been desperate to get started," the ex-Scotland international said. "I spoke to Andrew Fitton and Jeremy Wray and I was very pleased with what they had to say.

"The squad is a little top heavy with everyone fit so we may move players both in and out. Both Dave and I have been working hard behind the scenes trying to do our homework on players.

"I believe the play-offs are feasible - difficult, but feasible. The players are looking to achieve that dream too."

That target will be more achievable now the Robins can sign players again, subject to approval from the Football League, after they agreed to lift the club's absolute transfer embargo.

"The takeover has been completed today and now we have made an agreement with the Inland Revenue and some of the creditors," said Fitton, who plans to have cleared the club's £900,000 tax bill by the end of the season.

"On the back of that the Football League have lifted the absolute embargo on the club. This means that they can keep us honest for the next few months and make sure we do what we have promised to do between now and the end of the season.

"They have downgraded us to what is called a flexible embargo. This means we have to keep them informed of what we are doing. Provided we do that there is no reason why we shouldn't operate normally."

Malpas' first game in charge will be on Saturday against Nottingham Forest, while tonight's FA Cup third-round replay at Barnet was postponed due to a waterlogged pitch. The game will now take place on Tuesday 22 January.