Stags Fans United (SFU) is launching an appeal to supporters and other businesses to cut off all income streams to Field Mill until the club is sold 'to an owner who has the best interests of the Stags and Mansfield at heart' — and who would then benefit from that money to try to rebuild the club.

• Stags fans United full statement

SFU was formed in the aftermath of the Stags' relegation from the Football League after a proud 77-year history — and after 18 months of uncertainty at Field Mill and ultimately fruitless on-off takeover talks.

And the appeal comes just three days after manager Paul Holland and some of the players publically questioned the future direction of the club.

Now fans are being urged to boycott season ticket sales for next season until a suitable owner is installed.

And businesses are signing up to a 'Haslam free zone' — withholding sponsorship and commercial activity at the club until a takeover is underway.

Already several, worried about the effects relegation will have on the town's economy which could lose £2m-£5m through relegation, have agreed to support the income boycott.

A public meeting is also planned for the next few weeks, when fans can contribute to a fighting fund aimed at giving supporters the chance to support any suitable new owners – and have a say in the running of their club.

Mansfield MP Alan Meale, who last week said it was time for an immediate change at the club, is also being asked to take an active role. The MP said local business people should take over the Stags, in collaboration with the fans, and Stags Fans United agreed.

In a statement, the united group called on the MP to 'bring the various business leaders and supporters together. We expect urgent clarification of what he intends doing over the next four weeks to facilitate this'.

Stags Fans United has been launched by the Stags Supporters Association (SSA), Stags Fans For Change (SFFC), TEAM Mansfield (TM) and Ollerton Stags Supporters Club (OSSC).

The fans' drastic action call comes after reports that last week's relegation to non league football could cost the town as much as £5m in lost business each year — as well as lead to a fall in revenue at the already troubled football club.

Most supporters blame Mr Haslam's management of the Stags for its current predicament — and chief executive Stephen Booth admits that the low attendances and lack of real commercial activity at the club because of the 'Haslam Factor' cannot be sustained.

Mr Haslam, who put the club up for sale 18 months ago and is still at the helm after an unprecedented season of drama off the field, has previously said that he wants to sell with a zero balance sheet. That is why the SFU believes that any money from the sale of season tickets and sponsorship deals before a takeover would not benefit the club or any new owner.

Already several businesses have agreed not to renew sponsorship deals at the club or become involved in new commercial activity until a sale to an appropriate owner is completed.

These companies include last season's main sponsor A. Sutton Pipelines Ltd (ASPL), together with East Midlands Plastering, the Fiducia Group, Phoenix Plumbing, Opsis Consulting, NDM Building Contractors, ASIS, Chad and 103.2.

Several other high profile businesses have agreed to join the boycott, but asked not to be named at this stage.

Businesses wanting to add their voice to the growing protest are urged to contact PO Box 6430, Kirkby, Notts, NG17 8RA

Stags Fans United is also considering launching a major appeal to raise money to support any suitable buyout. Details of this and a planned public meeting open to all fans to attend will be given in Chad as soon as possible, a spokesman said.