Broadcaster Jeff Stelling has resigned as honorary president of Vanarama National League side Hartlepool in protest at owner Raj Singh's handling of negotiations to sell the club.
Pools issued a lengthy statement on Wednesday evening in which they said an agreement with one potential buyer had been reached in March, but that proof of funds for next season is yet to be deposited and revealing a plan to poll season-ticket holders over whether or not Singh should resume control.
The move came after local businesswoman Shelley Hammond, who has been linked with a takeover, suggested that a deal was close following an earlier update, and it proved the final straw for minority shareholder and high-profile fan Stelling.
He said in a series of posts on his X account: 'Following Raj's latest statement, I have resigned as president of @Official-HUFC.
'I know this is only an honorary role, but it is the best way I felt I could protest against the treatment of the party trying to take control the club.
'Supporters have been left in an intolerable position with a perceived threat to the future of the club should they not support the current owner.
'Let's remember it was him who wanted to stop funding the club. Yet now he seems almost affronted that others want to take over.
'Not once have I been consulted about this even though I am a shareholder. I have not met the would-be buyers, but I do know they have been trying to buy this club for over a year - not the actions of time-wasters.
'I will always love this club and wish all our fans the best.'
Singh initially put the club up for sale in the wake of relegation from the Football League at the end of the 2022-23 season and stood down as chairman in March amid fan protests as Pools limped towards an 11th-placed fifth-tier finish.