THE CHAIRMAN of the Yeltz Trust says Halesowen Town are facing “a race against time” to be ready for the start of the new season.

Guy Cooper has also urged the club’s directors to co-operate with the Trust on its plan to place the club into administration.

The Trust, which claims to have the support of the majority of shareholders, believe it will take two to three weeks to put the club into administration without the support of the club’s directors.

Adminstration would see the club docked ten points but the Yeltz are also facing a suspension from playing fixtures if they fail to pay off football creditors - believed to be a former player and two clubs - by midnight tomorrow (Friday).

A ban on registering players is already in place, making the Trust keen to take charge as soon as possible.

But Mr Cooper revealed the Trust has had no contact with Yeltz owner Morell Maison for several months, while communications with chief executive Guy Simpson broke down last month.

Mr Cooper said: “We probably expect the directors of the club to try other things in attempting to solve the crisis.

“We have received no help from them in taking the prudent steps so far and we don’t expect that to change.

“We still need resolutions to be signed by the directors of the club but we think we have a legal process where we can take the club into administration without them.

“Unless we have co-operation from the directors that will take two to three weeks.”

The Yeltz are due to begin their pre-season schedule at Bromsgrove Rovers next Saturday but Mr Cooper believes it is “highly unlikely” that fixture will now take place.

He added: “We will strive to make sure football is played at the Grove next season.

“We believe we have a plan where the club can enter administration and come out the other side.

“But it is a race against time.”