THE war of words over Wrexham FC's future, between club owner Alex Hamilton and rival Mark Guterman, intensified yesterday as more bids emerged.
The ex-chairman is making a last-ditch bid to persuade Cheshire-based property developer Mr Hamilton to sell his interests in the League One club before it is placed into administration on Friday.
Effectively challenging Mr Guterman to put his money where his mouth is, Mr Hamilton said a £3m cash offer by tomorrow evening could provide a starting point for negotiations.
But he wants Mr Guterman, his former business partner, to unveil the bid's financial backers.
"My legal advisers tell me £4m is a more realistic selling price, but I'm willing to talk only if Mr Guterman publicly names the people guaranteeing the funds," he said..
And Mr Hamilton claimed fresh interest surfaced yesterday.
"Completely out of the blue people from south east England got in touch and I'm meeting them on Thursday," he added.
"I'm looking forward to getting together with them because they seem to be people of substance. Hopefully we can make enough progress so the administration hearing on Friday is postponed."
An open letter by Mr Guterman accuses Mr Hamilton of deliberately seeking to liquidate the club to realise a potential multi- million pound windfall from the Racecourse stadium.
Mr Guterman wrote: "You have embarked on a course of action designed to bring an end to football at the Racecourse ground. You have acquired the freehold of the Racecourse, terminated the lease by which the club occupies the ground and you have refused to invest any further money to avoid liquidation.
"For almost two months you have steadfastly refused to engage in any discussion with me for the sale of your inter-ests."
Last night Mr Hamilton strenuously denied the allegation in the letter he had invited the Inland Revenue to issue proceedings, claiming he had instructed lawyers to defend the winding-up petition for nearly £1m in unpaid tax.
