An offer by Farsley Celtic's administrator to transfer control of the ailing club to its fans has been dismissed as a "PR stunt".

Celtic's administrator, accountancy firm Mazars, has put forward a deal that it says would allow them to be run on a not-for-profit basis by their supporters' club.

Mazars says it is "confident" its plan would let Farsley complete their fixtures in the Blue Square North this season.

But the firm's proposal has been rejected as "unworkable" and a "PR stunt" by a source close to a consortium fronted by club president John Palmer, which has made several unsuccessful attempts to bring Celtic out of administration.

 The source said: "If this is the solution to all our problems, why hasn't it been put on the table before now?”

It is believed that debts total £750,000, but £200,000 of that relates to fees the administrators are charging for their work since last July.   T

he club have the backing of Leeds City Council who say they won't grant permission for land around the ground to be developed unless it is still used for football.

If it proves not possible to rescue the club, it is likely that a reformed club would apply for membership of the Unibond Division One North next season.

The club appeared to be close to expulsion from the Conference after failing to fulfil three successive matches, including last Saturday’s home clash with Workington.

The Reds are keeping a close watch on the situation, hoping that Celic survive even if it would mean having to fit in yet another away trip. But it is almost certain that Farsley are beyond saving as things have gone too far now.

Blue Square Premier club Chester City's punishment for failing to fulfil two fixtures this season was expulsion from the Conference.

If Farsley suffer the same fate they could, in theory, apply for membership next season of a division further down the English football league pyramid.

It seems likely, however, that they will also have to find a place to play matches away from their current Throstle Nest ground.

Mazars is now understood to be speaking to parties that have already expressed an interest in buying some or all of the land at Throstle Nest, as opposed to the club.

Mr Palmer's bid to bring Farsley out of administration was the only one on the table that would have allowed them to continue in their present form.

Mazars said it had been turned down because it involved only a "negligible" increase in funds on a previous offer - also rejected - from the club president.

Philip Morris, Celtic supporters' group chairman, described the decision as "profoundly disappointing".

Celtic's creditors' committee called a halt ten days ago to the interim funding agreement that has been keeping the club alive since it went into administration last July.

The move followed Mr Palmer's failure to come up with what the committee saw as a suitable offer, despite months of negotiations.

The axing of the funding agreement effectively stopped Farsley from trading, forcing the cancellation of their game at Telford United last Tuesday; at home to the Reds on Saturday and at Harrogate on Tuesday.
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This Saturday’s home game with Hinckley United is still being listed in the Blue Square North fixtures but is unlikely to be played.

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