Mr Haslam, who on Thursday rejected a takeover offer from the James Derry consortium, has appointed a new person - chartered accountant Stephen Booth - to take over the day-to-day running of the club and actively seek a new buyer.

• Haslam rejects consortium offer

Mr Haslam, stepping down as CEO, said today on the club's official website: "I don't believe it is tenable position for me to carry on as chief executive.

"I will no longer have any day-to-day involvement at Field Mill."

Mr Booth, of Nottingham, whose main job for the past 10 years has been around the regeneration and selling of businesses, has been brought in to stabilise and sell the club.

He said: "This is not a situation where one or two people can make all the difference.

"Both James (Derry) and I hope that now Keith has stepped down from any management involvement, the community as a whole will get behind the club to ensure that not only it survives, but prospers also.

"I have taken on this role on an interim basis and anticipate that I will be here for no more than three to six months.

"During that time my initial objective will be stabalisation, but the ultimate goal will be the sale of the club - but only on a basis which ensures its long-term viability.

"Part of my remit is to engage all interested parties. I would like to emphasise that the door is closed to no-one."

Mr Derry, who yesterday said he had decided to carry on as chairman and would 'try to thrash out a deal', added today: "I welcome the decision by Keith for him to step down as it is in the best interests of the football club.

"My consortium is still interested in doing a deal.

• Derry to stay as Stags chairman

"Judging by Stephen's background this is a positive sign.

"One of Stephen's roles will be to try to market the sale of the football club. Stephen and I will be working closely to promote the best interests of Mansfield Town FC.

"Following this period of uncertainty, hopefully we can now move forward."

The surprise announcement will be seen by many fans, angry at Mr Haslam's decision not to sell to the consortium, as a move to divert attention away from their call for other supporters to 'boycott all income streams to the club'.

• Fans group call for Field Mill boycott