Swindon announce consortium sale

Swindon announce consortium sale

Published Jan. 31, 2013 6:15 a.m. ET

Norwich boss Chris Hughton hailed Spurs star Gareth Bale after his superb goal in the 1-1 draw at Carrow Road.

Bale equalised after a magnificent solo run from inside his own half. But Norwich midfielder Alex Tettey came under fire from Spurs boss Andre Villas-Boas for his attempted tackle on Bale early in his run.

"Had the boy got on to Gareth's ankle it's an injury that takes him out for six months," the Portuguese said.

Hughton was not happy with Villas-Boas' comments, saying: "I'm surprised by that.

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"The way that Bale went past him there didn't seem too much wrong with Gareth Bale to me. I don't think anybody got near him.

"We could pick holes in where the play started, could we have stopped it at the source? And arguably we could've done.

"Occasionally you have to hold your hand up and just say it's a great goal by a top-class player."

The Robins were recently placed under a transfer embargo and there was speculation that the npower League One club could fall into administration.

However, the club have now reached agreement on a takeover which should safeguard their future. No details of the consortium itself were released, though reports suggest it is led by Banbury owner Jed McCrory.

A statement on swindontownfc.co.uk read: "Completion of the sale is dependent upon approval from the Football League, which we hope to obtain in the next few days.

"Upon completion, most of the club's existing debt will be written off, the threat of administration will be avoided and Paolo Di Canio and the squad will be able to concentrate on football and the challenge of making Swindon a Championship club next season."

Chairman Sir William Patey added: "This is an important day for the club, with the current owners writing off most of their debts and the new consortium's funding, the club has a strong financial base to continue the battle for Championship football."

Swindon sold star winger Matt Ritchie to League One rivals Bournemouth on Wednesday night for a fee believed to be in the region of ?400,000.

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