TOWN fans should brace themselves for an unpleasant surprise when the new board reveals the depth of the financial hole the club finds itself in.

Although the next bank statement is likely to come attached with a health warning, the directors are adamant the truth 'must out'.

Board member Bob Holt said only when the true financial picture was known could the club really start to move forward.

At last Friday's EGM, former director Ian Blatchley claimed the club was £3.5 million in debt.

All the indications are that Mr Blatchley's maths may be 'there or thereabouts' to use footballing terminology.

Holt and his colleagues are adamant that fans will be put in the picture but the plea is for a just a little extra patience.

While supporters were watching the cup tie with Hereford on Saturday, a team of accountants was beavering away in the bowels of the County Ground.

Sorting out the club's finances is the new board's pressing priority and the search for the financial truth is proving a 24-hour operation.

Holt said: "We're not yet in a position to provide a figure.

"But I can assure all the supporters that we are working around the clock to find out just what state the club really is in."

The former Robert Maxwell aide admitted that adding up the sums was proving 'arduous'.

He said the financial records inherited from the Donegan board were far from perfect, which made a difficult task even trickier.

As well as trawling through the books, Holt is in the process of setting up a meeting with the council.

He said: "That is clearly important and we want to develop a good relationship with them."

One matter Holt is absolutely certain about is the need for clicking turnstiles and a winning team.

He said: "Finances off the pitch can be helped in no uncertain terms by what happens on the pitch.

"We had an exciting game against Hereford and I hope the fans will show the same backing for the Huddersfield game on Saturday."

A meeting between Roy Evans and board members has yet to take place and the director of football's future is unlikely to be resolved until the 'books' have been sorted out.