His return was revealed by Chad.co.uk on Tuesday evening after he broke his silence on the current takeover furore to talk to Chad.

• Keith Haslam back watching the Stags

He warned over stayaway fans and the failure of bidders to secure a takeover at Mansfield Town, saying: "This is all about survival. If fans don't want a club – and they don't seem to want one by not coming to matches – and no-one wants to buy it, then I will close the club down.

"I can't do anymore. I have said I will sell, I have said I will not come to matches, but we are just not getting anywhere."

Haslam insisted that the only bid his advisers were considering was from the colourful John Batchelor, although Stags chief executive Stephen Booth replied that there was yet to be an official offer from the former York City owner.

But Haslam did leave the way open for a possible future deal with Mansfield District Council over the stadium – as suggested by Chad this week.

He told Chad in an exclusive interview: "At the moment John Batchelor is the only game in town. James Derry's three bids have all fallen away at the 11th hour when backers reneged and I was ready to sign – and that saddened me.

"So what do people expect me to do now though? I have said I want to see £0.5m working capital and the club is available for £1, plus the rent – as it was 15 years ago.

"The great and the good of Mansfield had a chance to buy the club then, but didn't. Now where are they, these local businessmen who say they have the good of the club at heart?

"Everyone says they can run the club better than me. Well, where are you? If you can run it so much better, then your money will not be at risk surely?

"I am just waiting to see if John Batchelor can prove absolutely that his funds are liquid. No-one else is coming up with the money at the moment, apart from him.

"I understand why people say they don't want John Batchelor because of his background and past – but where is the alternative? If he is the only option then I will continue to talk to him.

"The rest of the people supposed to be interested have all gone very quiet and I don't hear from them.

"Mansfield District Council? Perhaps there could be a partnership there. If Tony (Egginton, the new club chairman and town mayor) can come up with a way forward, then I will listen. I have not closed the door on anyone."

Haslam also blasted fans group for their protests against him and lack of support for takeover bids.

And he told supporters that he was now back at the club because 'I want to support the club, I own most of the club and tonight and the rest of the season are very important. It is all about League survival and the players'.

The owner added: "I don't hear from the supporters groups, TEAM Mansfield and the SSA, wanting to help.

"So I have no alternative but to come back. These fans groups are leading people on, but they don't represent the majority.

"Haslam Out protests and campaigns, what have they achieved? It has taken it out on the players and they have been brave enough to come forward and say it has affected the team. I am not having a go at the individual fans, but the supporters groups.

"What have the supporters groups done? They have assisted in the destruction of Mansfield Town. It is shameful. I have no time for them.

"What has it all achieved? I have stayed away as they and others have asked, I have allowed others to run my club, but no more fans are coming through the turnstiles, the protests and campaign against me has continued and we are at the bottom of the table. It can't be a coincidence that this is now the worst run at home ever.

"The fans groups have just created a hostile environment. It is all political and has not helped the team."

"I may well be back now for all home matches. I can't stay away for ever. I am the longest standing owner in the Football League, 5 Live radio cited us as one of the two best run clubs in the League.

Haslam had pledged not to come to anymore home matches after the row over smoking a cigar at the match against Morecambe in February – when he again broke a self-imposed match ban. That led to a walkout by the then chairman James Derry and Stephen Booth.

Booth, who returned only on the understanding that the owner would stay away, said last night: "I am as surprised as anyone by this. But walking away now will achieve nothing. We need to keep the focus on the pitch and staying in the Football League. I am caught between a rock and a hard place."