The town's mayor spoke to Chad after a week of silence at Field Mill about owner Keith Haslam's protracted plans to sell the club.

Ten days ago, on Friday 9th May, the club had issued a statement saying it 'anticipated a formal response within the next 72 hours' to a sale proposal put forward that morning.

But since then the Stags had remained tight-lipped, with Haslam and chief executive Stephen Booth, brought to the club in December to broker a sale, refusing to comment.

The lack of news had left supporters bewildered, particularly as the club only announced its retained list on Friday and has still to make a decision about the future of manager Paul Holland.

The fans point to other Blue Square Premier clubs already making signings ahead of next season - the Stags' first in non league football.

But on Monday Egginton told Chad: "I understand the frustrations of the fans. But I remain confident that there will be a positive announcement on the takeover very soon.

"From my point of view, it needs to come sooner rather than later.

"For the sake of the fans, the staff at the club and the preparations for next season we need to get this sorted quickly.

"And I remain encouraged by the positivity of the negotiations that are going on.

"I will remain here to try to help this in any way I can."

It is understood that Haslam is in talks with a local businessman, while he has also held discussions with former York City owner John Batchelor.