CONTROVERSIAL Halesowen Town owner Morell Maison has lost control of the club following a shareholder’s coup.

The Yeltz, reported to have debts in excess of £250,000, will enter administration within days after supporters group The Yeltz Trust were successful in gaining the support of a majority of shareholders.

A statement issued by the group yesterday (Wednesday) confirmed Maison, who has been at the Grove since October 2007, had now lost his controlling stake.

The statement said: “Morrell Maison has lost control of Halesowen Town Football Club due to actions taken by a consortium of shareholders who now hold a 51 per cent shareholding and have taken control of the Football Club.

“Kelly Gentles has resigned as a director.”

The latest development follows weeks of speculation at the club, which began when the Trust claimed the club’s debts were more than £250,000 and urged Maison to place the club into adminstration.

Maison, who is subject to an FA ban from football activity until August 11, now has no authority as either owner or manager of the Yeltz - though he retains a substantial personal shareholding.

In a further statement this morning the Trust has confirmed the club’s new controlling group have taken the first steps toward placing the club in administration, with the Yeltz now under court protection.

The group, which the Trust decribes as a shareholder consortium, have also begun paying off the club’s substantial footballing debts and are in contact with the FA and the Southern League.

The latest statement said: “In excess of 51% of the issued shares in Halesowen Town Football Club Ltd are now controlled by a shareholder consortium.

“This resulting position the new majority group to assume control of day-to-day running of the club and make an important first stage in a legal process by placing the limited company under court protection.

“Morell Maison therefore no longer holds a position of administrative authority as a controlling shareholder in addition to no longer overseeing the playing side as football manager.”

The statement claims the consortium has already been successful in lifting a suspension from all fixtures, which was imposed by the FA for failing to pay football creditors.

That news will come as a relief to manager Matty Clarke and assistant Rob Elmes, who have seen all pre-season fixtures so far cancelled.

Earlier this week manager Clarke admitted it was becoming increasingly difficult to bring players in because of the constant turmoil at the club.

He said: “I have probably spoke to four or five players who would normally jump at the chance to come to Halesowen.

“But they have seen what has been going on and it understandably puts them off.

“We still have around 15 players training with us but they need games.”