AHEAD of their crucial High Court date today, Salisbury City’s new consortium owners have spoken publicly about the Whites’ current situation.

They say they are absolutely appalled by the situation that controversial owner Otail Touzar has placed Salisbury and their supporters in, writes Tim Birkbeck.

City's lawyer Chris Farnell stressed: “It is about time that the fans were made aware of the serious damage that Mr Touzar has caused the club by his actions and promises, all of which have amounted to absolutely nothing.”

“The club now has to fight for its survival as a direct consequence of Mr Touzar failing to make himself available in the correct legal channels.”

“The situation the club finds itself in presently is almost unique in football history.”

The Whites will discover their fate from the High Court, but the possibility of an FA appeal still hangs over the club.

Salisbury have struggled to get a proper pre-season under their belt with the new season kicking off on Saturday, August 9.

Fans have been left in suspense as they watch players walk out the door, unsure if they will have a club to play for come the start of the season.

Club CEO Paul Smith added: “The legal costs alone due to the appalling behaviour of this man have crippled the club.

"We are, as a club, fighting for our very existence. If Mr Touzar genuinely believes he is the owner of the club then where is he?”

The added sum of £50,000 for court costs is another burden the club can do without, with plans put into place if the outcome is in the favour of the club.

The future of Salisbury City FC still hangs in the balance.