THE BUSINESSMAN backing cash strapped Accrington Stanley has said he fears funds promised by the club may not appear in time.

As the club faced a winding up order in the High Court a week ago, bosses promised £100,000 from the Professional Footballers Asociation was in transit after paying only £96,000 to HMRC on deadline.

An extra £100,000 of directors’ cash was also pledged towards the total tax bill of £308,000.

However, businessman Ilyas Khan, who said he had been in contact with HMRC about the funds paid so far, said he feared there could still be a shortfall of cash.

He said he was in talks with the club about his concerns on whether the bill will be paid on time.

Wednesday is the club’s final deadline as it were given an additional seven days to pay, when Mr Khan and former vice chairman Peter Marsden stepped in as guarantors last week.

Mr Khan said a total of £206,000 had been sent to HMRC so far, including the original £96,000 from Accrington Stanley.

He said: “I realise the club will probably not provide an update to the fans and community at large.

"This is disgraceful in my view, and only one of many things that have been done – and continue to be done – that are beyond the pale.

“I know most fans will be focused on the big question of “what next”.

“Peter and I promised the court to uphold the shortfall of £110,000. We have fulfilled that commitment.

“But the shortfall might be much greater.

“I can confirm chief executive Rob Heys has been helpful and clear today.

"I have also seen correspondence with the PFA which leads me to believe that some amount might come in at some time, but I do not know when that sometime might be.

“For now I have asked Rob Heys to let me know what David O’Neill proposes to do about the new shortfall.”

No-one from the club was available for comment.