Former Newcastle defender Olivier Bernard - the absent owner of 'England's worst football team' Durham City - has denied suggesting he doesn't have time to run the club and instead claims he is plotting their revival.
Durham had conceded a staggering 128 goals in 13 matches, while scoring just twice, in the 11th-tier Wearside league this season before withdrawing from all competitions amid turmoil behind the scenes.
Having picked up one win since 2019, furious supporters have been calling for Bernard to part company with the club almost nine years since he took the reins.
The Frenchman, who made over 150 appearances in a five-year spell with Newcastle, vowed to make Durham 'one of the best feeder clubs in the north east' upon arrival, but almost a decade on they are bankrupt, homeless and, as a result, in dire straits.
And to rub salt in the wounds, Bernard is quoted as saying by The Sun that he simply doesn't have the time or energy to sort out the mess - while also claiming Durham are lacking genuine fans.
'I've got the power to change things but do I have the time? No,' he said. 'And the last thing I want to do is go down to Durham — it's another hour's drive.
'There are no Durham City supporters. They are now Spennymoor or Darlington fans.
'They've never been supporters because, for me, fans don't switch teams. You wouldn't switch to Sunderland if you support Newcastle.
'It could be me today but tomorrow it could be someone else. Either you love the club or you don't and we don't have many lovers.'
Durham's steep decline began when they failed to gain promotion to the National League North in 2009-10 because of their artificial pitch, which resulted in a number of players and sponsors departing.
Fast forward over 13 years and the club now have no permanent home following a row with the owners of New Ferens Park in 2015 over failing to provide match officials with tea and coffee.
They now play matches eight miles from Durham in Houghton-le-Spring near Sunderland, with Australian Chris Tanner and his Zenith Sports and Event Management company running the club from Sydney since December amid Bernard's absence.
However, that was before the saga took a fresh twist this week, with Durham's Twitter account revealing that they have officially withdrawn from all competitions while Tanner and Zenith have also departed.
'It is with sadness that we must announce that we have advised @DurhamFA and the @WearsideLeague that we have withdrawn Durham City from all competitions effective immediately,' the statement read.
'@Zenith_SEM has terminated its relationship with Olivier Bernard, senior management have also resigned.'
Bernard then took to Twitter himself to deny admitting he doesn't have the time to run Durham in his interview with The Sun, saying: 'Would like to apologies for the twisted story you all been reading . A lot of it is taking out of context again but I’m not surprised as we all know this Newspaper !'
'As from today Chris Tanner and his Zenit team will no longer be part of the Durham city football club. I will give you more information asap on the club new direction shortly.'
But the 43-year-old's posts did not go down well with fans who remain desperate to see the back of their unpopular owner.
One replied: 'Come on Oli- being an Ex-Newcastle player will only carry so much favour. Get rid of the club- pay the debts and be remembered for being a footballer- not a failed owner.'
Another put: 'Please sell to the fans. We've been through emough (sic) already. No more experiments.'
A third wrote: 'What new direction? Unless & until you pay the fine coming your way there is no direction. All current players suspended until fines paid is the usual outcome.'
While a fourth said: 'Hope ya happy what a shower of s***e you have caused. Unreal.'