SUPPORTERS Direct believe they can help Swindon Town’s Supporters’ Trust with their plans to purchase the County Ground.

The club’s fans’ group unveiled proposals on Thursday night at their annual general meeting about looking into the prospect of buying the home of the League One strugglers for £1.1million.

TrustSTFC, who have been in exploratory talks with Swindon Borough Council for the past two years about potentially becoming the new owners of the County Ground, have been backed by the national supporters’ body – Supporters Direct.

James Mathie, head of club development at Supporters Direct, believes Thursday night’s meeting was a promising start to the Trust’s project.

“Absolutely, it (the meeting) was really promising,” Mathie said. “I think it is fantastic the guys who have got involved and have reinvigorated the trust.

“The supporters know there is a credible representative group.”

Supporters Direct, who are an umbrella group for fan trusts all over the country, feel they have the experience and expertise to help TrustSTFC turn the proposal of buying the County Ground into a reality.

“I think the momentum behind the opportunity of buying the County Ground and how it can be a community asset can change the dynamic with the way that the club is being run and something that I hope Swindon supporters get behind,” Mathie said.

“I think fan activism is really prominent at the moment as there are so many clubs on the edge of being badly run, to missed opportunities or just not believing that the owner’s ambition is in line with the supporters.

“Across our membership we have a range of groups that are at war with their owner to those who own their club.

“Somewhere in there we have got the experience and network of people that can help.

“But we also know if right the offer is made to supporters they will put in money to support a proposition - whether that be ownership of the club or ownership of the ground.”