Tim Sherwood's appointment at Swindon Town was "one million per cent an old pals act"

Swindon Town chairman Lee Power has said the decision to bring in friend Tim Sherwood was "one million per cent an old pals act."

Sherwood was unveiled in a larger-than-usual press conference at the County Ground in November of 2016 on a non-contract basis but in the three months that has passed a number of supporters have expressed concern towards the ex-Tottenham and Aston Villa boss.

Mainly because, at the press conference, it was said that Sherwood had taken control of all footballing operations at the County Ground - being head of tactics, team selection and transfers at SN1 although the role of former two have now been handed back to head coach Luke Williams.

Speaking to Sky Sports News presenter Jim White on radio station TalkSPORT, Power said:

"One million per cent (the appointment of Sherwood) was an old pals act.

"I am very fortunate that Tim's a friend of mine and has been for many, many years. Tim came in in the middle of November, the football club were just above the relegation zone.

"Results haven't been great, and I'll be honest with you, I have always been in charge of recruitment, this season hasn't been great and mistakes have been made. 

"Luke is a young coach, a very good coach, and this is his first managerial job and we felt he needed help.

"Tim has obviously been a visitor to the club and to the ground many times and, with Luke's blessing, I asked Tim if he would come in - not to come in as manager otherwise he would be called manager.

"He turned down two Championship clubs only weeks before so if he wanted to be a manager he would have took one of those at a higher level."

Power then briefly explained why Sherwood, who has been at almost every game since his appointment, was not at the 2-1 defeat to fierce rivals Oxford United at the County Ground earlier this month.

"He was away doing some football business for the club that needed attending to and the only day that could be done was on that Sunday so that's where he was."

White did not ask Power what that business was.