The club's financial year ends on 30th June and it is thought this may be key - at last - to the completion of any buyout.

But who will the new owner or owners be? Who will be the manager next season? And who will be lining up in the amber and blue for the first ever season in the Blue Square Premier as the Stags bid to regain their Football League status at the first attempt after May's sad relegation.

The football club has made no official comment since confirming a week ago that a sale agreement - first reported by Chad.co.uk - had been reached with Glapwell FC chairman and dentist Dr Colin Hancock.

This delay has fuelled some fans, already sceptical after the failure of other takeovers, with doubts that this deal will ever be completed.

But on Monday morning owner Keith Haslam, chief executive Stephen Booth and would-be owner Dr Hancock were all seen at Field Mill.

Over the weekend Dr Hancock was reported to have met club representatives in London on Friday to finalise the heads of terms of the agreement and make a 'down payment' on his deal to buy the club and Field Mill.

In the Non League Today newspaper, he said: "The strategy for the sale has been agreed, and we are hoping to complete the first stage of that strategy."

And it has also been reported that controversial owner Keith Haslam has cleared some possessions from Field Mill - sparking more rumours that a sale completion is imminent.

But takeover weary supporters have seen many twists in the past 18 months since he first insisted that the club was for sale - and further turns in the protracted negotiations would not surprise them.

However, it does seem as though an Australian interest and one from ex-York City owner John Batchelor - who also said he had reached an agreement with the owner at one stage - are no longer in the running to be the new owners.

Recently Haslam had at least four different sale options, also including an interest from a consortium of Mansfield businessmen, following the demise of various James Derry consortium deals over six months of on-off talks. This Mansfield consortium may still be in the running to take charge at Field Mill.

Also, a month ago both chief executive Stephen Booth and chairman mayor Tony Egginton insisted that news on season tickets was imminent - but details have yet to be announced, again adding to the takeover speculation.

One man also anxiously waiting for news is manager Paul Holland - still to be confirmed as the boss for the Stags' first season in non league football and still to be given the green light to add to his squad of just eight players.

Pre-season training starts on Wednesday, but Holland's plans for the Blue Square Premier have already been hampered by the restraints on signing new players.

If Holland is not given the job by the new owners, whoever they may be, then several names are beginning to emerge as potential Stags managers for next season.

The uncertainty among the playing squad is mirrored off the field. Secretary/finance manager Sharon Roberts, who left in May, has yet to be replaced, while commercial manager Tony Lormor left Field Mill last week.

Dr Hancock hinted at this turmoil in the Non League Today article, adding: "It seems not only will I be chairman, but will have to collect the empties and do the washing-up as well."