REPRESENTATIVES of Wrexham's longest-established supporters' groups will sit round the table with Racecourse chairman Mark Guterman next week to discuss the way forward for the troubled Second Division club.

In spite of the fact the Dragons are riding high in the Second Division and are still on course to clinch a place in the end-of-season play-offs, depressingly low attendances at home matches and the side's early exit from both the major cup competitions this season, have contributed to almost continuous cashflow problems.

And a pitifully-small gate of just over 3,000 - the second lowest of the season at the Racecourse - for Saturday's 3-0 win against Grimsby Town graphically illustrated Wrexham's plight.

An outstanding loan from the Professional Footballers' Association has put in place a transfer embargo, preventing manager Denis Smith from bringing in any new faces to boost a second successive promotion challenge and internal bickering at the Racecourse in recent weeks has never been far from becoming public knowledge.

Last week the Daily Post revealed that for the third time since October staff wages were not paid on time and that managing director David Rhodes had seriously considered tendering his resignation.

And frustrated fans are now beginning to seek answers from Guterman, who bought the club's 78pc majority shareholding from former chairman Pryce Griffiths in the summer of 2002.

Since his takeover, the number of directors in the boardoom has shrunk from eight to four and the Cheshire property developer seems to be no nearer bringing in new faces.

On Saturday, in response to the Daily Post's story, Guterman said a re-financing package was under negotiation but unhappy supporters are now comparing Wrexham's current plight with that of neighbours Chester City during the period that he was chairman at the Deva Stadium.

Although aware of the current unrest on the terraces and in pubs and clubs around the town, representatives of Wrexham Official Supporters' Association and the Shropshire Reds continue to publicly back the chairman, but they will be seeking re-assurances at their forthcoming meeting.

Carroll Clark, chairman of the Wrexham Suppporters, said: "I can understand some supporters making comparisons between what they think is happening at Wrexham and what happened at Chester a few years ago.

"But as far as I'm concerned that is water under the bridge and what happens now at Wrexham is what counts.

"There are so many rumours flying round I would hope to get some facts and figures at our meeting with the chairman. "We need to know exactly what is going on and then we can work out a way of doing everything we can to help the club.'' Shropshire Reds' chairman John Humphreys echoed Clark's concern. "The first thing I would like to say is that Saturday's attendance was disgraceful," he said.

"But in view of all the rumour, speculation and innuendo that's doing the rounds I am keen to get to the truth and, hopefully, this meeting will enable us to do that.

"I hope as things map out we don't see a parting of the ways between Denis Smith and the club."