As the Island's foremost football team faces an uncertain future, Keiran Fox talks to those most concerned and looks at the possible options.

MYSTERY and intrigue surrounds the future of the Isle of Wight's flagship football team.

The 114-year-old Newport Football Club went into voluntary receivership last week after Portsmouth-based chairman Bill Manuel decided to recoup his 51 per cent stake in the club when the sale of the team's training pitch to developers fell through.

At first supporters of the second-from-

bottom Dr Martens Eastern Division club were hopeful a buyer would come forward knowing that the receivers could only guarantee the club for the next three games.

But as time ticks by and with the last of those three games kicking off tomorrow at home to St Leonards fans are growing increasingly anxious.

Faced with receivers who are unwilling to discuss with fans the cost of buying out the club, mounting frustration has led the

supporters' rumour mill to work over-time.

Talk of a supporters-led consortium buying out the club prompted a meeting held between fans and club officials alongside the receivers last Tuesday, but to little avail.

Stand-in chairman of Newport's FC's supporter's trust Norman Arnold, who runs a recruitment agency on the Island, cannot understand why the receivers are not willing to give out basic information.

Mr Arnold said: "We can understand they (BDO) are trying to do a difficult job but how can supporters come to the club's rescue when we don't know what sums of money we are talking about?

"A lot of us are shareholders and together we own a 49 per cent stake in the club - it's frustrating."

The supporters' trust estimates it costs £300,000 a year to run the club and Mr Arnold believes that the club has an income of £200,000, leaving a considerable shortfall.

Mr Arnold said: "There is a definite swell of support to keep the club going but it is no longer about what we are interested in but a land issue.

"We have targeted £1.2m to buy the club out, based on the development price of the site and the 100 acres of land behind it. But we are never going to raise that kind of money."

At the time of going to print the supporters' trust website proudly claimed to have raised £3.50.

That would not even be enough to buy a set of studs for ex-Portsmouth and Sheffield Wednesday star-striker Guy Whittingham.

Guy has stuck by the club as a player despite being ousted as manager earlier this year.

Mr Arnold added: "I don't know many property developers who would be willing to stick the money needed into the club to keep us running for a few years before we are forced to move."

When the Daily Echo contacted receivers BDO Stoy Hayward - a Southampton-based firm of accountants - they were reluctant to talk, calling the matter a "commercially-sensitive situation".

Spokeswoman Nancy Corgan, of BDO Stoy Hayward, refused to discuss the level of interest from any potential buyers and she referred us to a press release issued by the firm.

The statement from receivers Edward Head and Dermot Coakley for BDO, said: "The club's position will be reviewed by the receivers next week.

"I cannot stress strongly enough how urgently we need to find a buyer for the club if it is to be saved.

"The club has some loyal supporters and it is hoped that someone will come forward.

"Saturday's home game against St Leonards is on. It is hoped the fans will turn out in strong support."

Yet the level of support for chairman Mr Manuel remains high despite his sudden willingness to pull out of the club.

Mr Arnold believes the supporters are not willing to criticise the chairman too heavily because of the money he has pumped into the club and his regular appearances at matches.

Club press officer Jim Baldwin is keeping his fingers crossed just like everyone else involved in with the team but he also feels continually frustrated by the attitude of the receivers.

Mr Baldwin said: "There is so little information coming out of the receivers.

"The meeting we had with the receivers on Tuesday night was no help. They would not accept any questions from the floor and could not discuss the asking price.

"The players have showed a great determination and will to carry on but the situation has not affected them yet, they are still getting paid.

"They are not going through the motions by any stretch of the imagination."

The Island's Conservative MP Andrew Turner would like to see the club pull through its current financial crisis and any planning permission issues resolved to the club's best advantage.

Mr Turner said: "Clearly the loss of the club would be very serious.

"My hope is that some one, a supporter, will get a good deal out of the receivers and continue to run it as a football club.

Of course there is always the possibility of majority shareholder Mr Manuel standing by the club providing the sale of the training pitch does eventually go ahead. When we tried to contact him Mr Manuel was away on a business trip. But chance of him standing by the club looks subject to the council granting planning permission for the site.

Mr Arnold added: "We wait with baited breath."

Anyone willing to come to the rescue and buy out the club should contact BDO Stoy Hayward Accountants in Southampton on 023 8035 6000.

FACTFILE:

Club formed in 1888 and played at Well's Field for the next 100 years, better known as Church Litten.

Founder member of the Isle of Wight football league in 1898 and were league champions on five occasions.

In 1927 joined the Hampshire league and won the title 11 times.

1931 won the Hampshire cup at the Dell beating close rivals Cowes 2-1.

1945 beat their only league opposition Clapton (now Leyton Orient) in the FA Cup.

Became founder member of the Wessex League in 1986.

1988 moved to their present ground St George's Park after selling Church Litten to developers.

1997 Bill Manuel bought majority stake in the club and Tony Mount appointed general manager.

Won promotion in 2000/01 to the Dr Martens Premier League after winning the Eastern division title.

Success did not last long and they were relegated after just one season.