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Depending on whose anonymous sources you choose to trust, Red Bull is either stalking England in search of new club to add to its global soccer family, or it is doing no such thing.
What is indisputable, however, is Red-Bull-is-coming-for-your-football-club remains one of the more reliable bogeyman stories in English football.
Leeds United fans have been dealing with such rumors for a long time. Nottingham Forest supporters have had a more recent taste of Red-Bull-takeover gossip. And now Swindon Town fans have had a passing brush with a Red-Bull-wants-your-team rumor.
BREAKING: Red Bull are apparently in advanced talks to take over Swindon Town.
— Team FA (@TeamFA) November 10, 2016
Red Bull Swindon. pic.twitter.com/a9zM5kjf2q
It's not entirely clear why Red Bull was linked to Swindon, but it certainly helped to draw attention to the fact the club was having a press conference.
Press conference at #STFC today. It'll either be 'Red Bull Swindon' or they've sacked the tea lady, again.
— Pat Fagan (@Rabcnesbit1982) November 10, 2016
Swindon have called a "significant" press conference for this afternoon. Rumours circulating of a Red Bull takeover announcement!
— The Exiled Robin ⚽️ (@TheExiledRobin) November 10, 2016
And Swindon's PR staff did not discourage the Red Bull rumor...
Swindon Town are set to make a "significant announcement" at 1.30pm #stfc pic.twitter.com/HmwNPnuMBZ
— Alistair Durden (@alidurdenBBC) November 10, 2016
Nice refreshments at Swindon Town for this presser. pic.twitter.com/iMcKfqXyMN
— Sam Morshead (@SamMorshead_) November 10, 2016
Red bull cans at Swindon press conference. Please let this be true pic.twitter.com/P6JR3RWYTW
— Ashley (@AshleyElliott5) November 10, 2016
...until it was time to reveal the real news.
Good banter from the Swindon media team who have now removed the cans of Red Bull
— Alistair Durden (@alidurdenBBC) November 10, 2016
Tim Sherwood arrives with Swindon Town Chairman Lee Power. #stfc pic.twitter.com/QhveSrgqF9
— Alistair Durden (@alidurdenBBC) November 10, 2016
Lee Power confirms Tim Sherwood will now be in charge of transfers but denies any Red Bull investment talks.#stfc pic.twitter.com/Q3h4jyAQqp
— SwindonWeb (@SwindonWeb) November 10, 2016
Tim Sherwood is, of course, quite capable of serving as Director of Football for Swindon under new ownership. But his appointment would appear to have more to do with the club's present leadership than any future plan for adoption into the Red Bull Global Soccer family.
Think this is just making Sherwood's presence at #STFC official. He's been around Swindon for a while with his connects to Lee Power.
— Dan Johnson ن (@danwjonson) November 10, 2016
Tim Sherwood was best man at current Swindon owner Lee Power's wedding. Red Bull takeover nonsense or recommendation to new owners?
— Paul (@PaulSarahs) November 10, 2016
@PnutReid @TSBible No they aren't. Sherwood is best mates with Lee Power. Power categorically denied red bull connections
— Charles Overton (@FlashFlush87) November 10, 2016
Quite possibly not the last time Red Bull finds its alleged ambitions exploited by a club with its own news to share.