Swindon Town Chairman Lee Power has stated that David Flitcroft is the perfect man to help the club secure an immediate return to the Sky Bet League One.
The former midfielder was announced as the Reds’ new Manager last week with hopes high that a promotion push can be mounted in 2017/18.
And, speaking at Flitcroft’s first official Press Conference as Town Manager earlier today, Power revealed why the 43-year-old was his number one target.
“After relegation we had to take a review of everything that was happening at the football club because you obviously get relegated for a reason,” he said.
“There were a number of mistakes that happened last year and a number of people involved in them but, at the end of the day, I sail the ship and I’ve got to take full responsibility for that.
“We find ourselves now in League Two, which is a completely different proposition to League One and I needed to find someone that is well versed in getting promotion.
“David got Bury out of this league and his teams are always fit, experienced, dogged and his knowledge is second to none.
“I just feel that is what we need for this season coming up and we’re delighted to have him.
“I like to think the mood is upbeat. You’ve got to move on and you have to look at the mistakes that were made and try not to make them again.
“We feel that we’ve got the right man to try and get us back at the first attempt and David will be doing everything he can to get us back to League One.”
Power also stressed that Flitcroft will be in charge of all footballing matters, while he also made it clear that promotion is the aim in 2017/18.
“We needed a change,” he added.
“With the way that things went last season it was getting harder and harder to take these loan players and find these young players and, especially in this league, we probably need to go with a little bit more experience.
“When you’ve got someone like David who is well versed in League Two and in League One and has a promotion on the CV, then there is no reason why I need to have any involvement in that.
“David’s got the reigns and we look forward to him trying his best to get us back to League One.
“Promotion has got to be the aim because you can’t have a football club this size in League Two.
“It isn’t going to be easy. It is great because everyone is saying we’re one of the biggest, if not the biggest clubs in League Two but that doesn’t win you anything.
“You can’t go into Tesco’s and say you’re the Chairman of Swindon Town and get your food for nothing – it is one of those things.
“It could be a plus if everyone gets together and the supporters come out and back David and the team and we could make this place a fortress, but if it doesn’t go well then it can work against you.
“But we’re optimistic and we know what we’ve got and what we’re going to get. David will spend the budget wisely and we’ve got every confidence that he is going to do everything he can to get us back to League One.”
Finally, Power revealed what convinced him to appoint David Flitcroft as Town’s new Manager.
“His CV speaks for itself but as soon as we got on the phone we were laughing and joking and we are very similar people,” he continued.
“We’re not from a privileged upbringing and we’ve had to go to work and work hard for what we’ve got and maybe that has been missing here a little bit.
“We got through to the Play-Off season in our first year but we couldn’t build on that and it has been difficult since.
“Having David around in the last 48 hours has ensured that there is a completely different feel to the club, there is a lot of optimism, everyone has got a smile on their face and hopefully when the players start to come through the door that will be relayed on to them and all we can do as a football club is try and get the best team on the pitch and make the fans proud again.”