Tributes paid for 'great' late Swindon Town fan who funded £2.3m County Ground deal
Lifelong Robins supporter Nigel Eady died in 2012
Tributes have been paid to a late Swindon Town supporter, after he funded the purchase of the Club's stadium.
Last weekend, Swindon Borough Council confirmed it had sold the historic County Ground for £2.3 million.
The buyers are a 50/50 joint venture, formed of Swindon Town Football Club and the Supporters Trust. They will each own a 50% stake of the site.
The Nigel Eady Trust paid for the deal. It's funded by proceeds from the estate of a lifelong Robins fan who died in 2012, aged 74.
Who was Nigel Eady?
Mr Eady was born on 15 April 1937 at Church Farm in West Hanney, around 20 miles from the County Ground, and lived there for his entire life.
The farmer had a season ticket from the 1940s until his death, attending his last match two weeks before his passing. Town famously won the FA Cup tie against Wigan Athletic, then of the Premier League, 2-1 at the County Ground.
Mr Eady was well known to many fellow supporters, often recognised by his long red and white scarf that his wife had knitted.
Later in life, Mr Eady converted part of his farm into woodland. He called it the Fjortoft Woodland, named after the Robins' famous Norwegian striker.
Swindon Town has thanked Mr Eady for his "incredible donation".
The Club called him "an incredible individual whose kindness will help us build a brighter future ... a great man".
'Nigel would be over the moon'
Mr Eady's close friend John Carter was a trustee of his will and has worked tirelessly to arrange the County Ground purchase over recent years.
He has spoken to Greatest Hits Radio at the County Ground.
"We spent many, many matches sat here together. In fact, his name is on a seat and mine is next to him ... this was Nigel's life, a big part of Nigel's life.
"Nigel would be absolutely delighted (with the purchase), over the moon. There's no doubt about that.
"I shall be visiting his grave in a short time and I shall be telling him all about it," Mr Carter said.
Swindon Town Chairman, Clem Morfuni, added: "This is a major step forward for the club and lays the foundations for our future success.
"I’d like to place on record our sincere gratitude to the Nigel Eady trustees who have been so supportive and helped us get the purchase over the line".
What's next at the County Ground?
The joint venture has considerable plans to renovate the stadium, which has been home to Swindon Town since 1896.
It wants to redevelop the Stratton Bank, with work potentially starting next year. Installing a roof on the stand and improving its facilities for away fans are thought to be the main priorities.
A further £20 million is also expected to be spent building a new Town End, conference centre and hotel, with that project likely to get underway in 2026 or 2027.