ACCRINGTON Stanley joint chairman Dave O'Neill has hit back at the Ilyas Khan and the Supporters' Fund over the ongoing financial problems at the club.

The ASSF and their benefactor Khan are continuing to urge talks over a share issue that would allow the fund to put £250,000 into the club, who currently have until late October to pay off a £308,000 tax bill or face being wound up.

But O'Neill is angry that the offer is conditional on a share issue, which would dilute currently shareholders' stakes in the club, and believes Khan and the fund could have simply offered to buy the club in the hours before they went to the High Court on September 2 with Stanley's future in real doubt.

O'Neill, who took over the club from Eric Whalley in the summer and has expressed doubts that the fund are able to invest £250,000, said in last night's programme notes: “I will not enter a verbal crossfire in the local or national press with this group and I hope it will become obvious at some point to our fans why our negotiation has not been taken to another level.

“It is often said that talk is cheap and sometimes to say nothing is a sign of inner strength of being totally focused.

“All I will say is ASSF and Mr Khan, you had a chance to prove to our fans that the club is bigger than anyone when we were in court on September 2. Had you stepped up to the mark I would have handed you control of the club.

“You did nothing and would have let the club be wound up. That was the easy way out for you as everyone would just blame me.

“It is time to either come on board and help your club that so many people are doing (unconditionally) or stay away from our limelight and let the true fans and the community of Hyndburn save the club they love.”