Strafford launches bitter attack on troubled Hillsborough board

But Howard Wilkinson, who took over as chairman following Strafford's departure, has warned the club's critics it will be 'tragic' if their efforts deter potential investors. The Owls, who host Walsall tonight in League One, are battling to avoid administration after being given 28 days by the High Court last week to secure the 1.4m needed to avoid a winding up order related to unpaid PAYE tax.

The club, which has total debts in the region of 30m, is also due back in the High Court on December 1 over 300,000 in unpaid VAT.

Supporters groups Wednesdayite, the Shareholders Association, and Time to Go will stage a joint demonstration on Parkside Road before tonight's game in protest at the running of the club.

And Strafford, who worked as chairman without pay for 16 months, has claimed that the club's board have treated supporters like 'mugs', and behaved 'beyond contempt' during the investment process.

"Like just about every Wednesdayite, I have given my club everything I possibly can in my time and never asked or expected anything back other than hoping that everyone involved in our club did their best for it," he said.

"I have always put the club first, sometimes even at times when I should have put my family first. Given that, I find it impossible to accept what I have witnessed, up to and including recent days.

"No one in our boardroom or their associates are free from blame on this anymore," he added.

The Owls have already rejected takeover bids from Leicester City chairman Milan Mandaric and Rotherham-based businessman Spencer Fearn.

Former Owls director Mick Wright, who is still owed 500,000 by the club, is leading another move.

Last night, sources revealed there was hope of a deal being agreed before the weekend.

Wilkinson, meanwhile, issued a statement saying: "It would be tragic if the prospects of completing one of these deals was to be prejudiced by intemperate and ill-informed comments which can only serve to deter investors from being associated with the club, not to mention the effect this may have on a team which is on a run of four wins and currently only four points from an automatic promotion position.

"I am also assured by the person heading the local fan-based investor group that he is in total agreement with this statement. As I have already stated, board members and loan note holders are not a problem in this process.

"This is a time for steady nerves and responsible behaviour," he stressed.