Forest Green Rovers' chairman Trevor Horsley has made an urgent appeal for financial help and more community support after revealing that the club is in crisis.

It urgently needs around £100,000 for wages and Inland Revenue debts plus another £200,000 for other creditors.

Mr Horsley is currently in Dubai and was unable to speak to the SNJ in detail but said all necessary information was released in an interview with BBC Radio Gloucestershire in which he revealed that: * he has spoken to potential investors in Abu Dhabi * the club did not budget for £250,000 in extra costs when it moved to the New Lawn * that the best option would be to sell the club to a majority shareholder but administration was a possibility He added that negotiations were underway with the Inland Revenue over a payment schedule which would protect players' wages.

Mr Horsley urged fans to help double the usual number of supporters at Saturday's match with Altrincham.

He said: "We have had two winding up orders in the past three months but have managed to fight them off.

"We need to find £200,000 to £300,000. We need about £100,000 immediately for the Inland Revenue and wages and the other £200,000 by the middle of the summer for the other creditors.

"We are in dire straits, we have had one or two hiccups over the last couple of years and things have come to a head now.

"We are struggling to meet the debts we have incurred on the new stadium and we need to put an appeal out to the community."

Mr Horsley said he had a positive response from the club's main sponsors, Stroud & Swindon and Marstons' Brewery, when he met representatives last week.

Tim Barnard, chairman of the club's supporters' trust, said: "I am backing Mr Horsley's campaign to double the crowd on Saturday.

"I would like people to bring friends, family and occasional supporters of the club to create a cracking atmosphere and raise vital funds."

In his column in this week's SNJ, MP David Drew urged the community to rally to the club's aid.

"It is beyond comprehension that we could lose this wonderful institution but unless we act quickly and decisively that could happen," he writes.

"Of course this means losing not just the football club but the wonderful facilities we now have at the New Lawn, something we must not just savour but use to a much greater extent to keep the pounds running in.

"I hope that others in the community will do what they can to help meet the temporary shortfall in finance brought about by a number of difficult circumstances." The FGR Supporters' Club Committee released a statement saying: "We would like to make a passionate plea to our fans - this is the time when Forest Green Rovers needs all of you.

"The team needs large crowds to help in the on-pitch battle against relegation, and the board of directors needs large crowds to help in the financial crisis off the pitch."

If you are interested in becoming a member of the supporters' club or would like to make a donation email fgrsupportersclub@live.co.uk *Comment on the club's situation here...