LIONEL Newton has launched a furious attack on the Kidderminster Harriers board for failing to make the Aggborough books available for inspection by a Hampshire consortium.

But Harriers directors have hit back, insisting they are still awaiting official notification from the Farnborough group.

The stand-off between the parties seemed to be moving forward when the "away" consortium broke their silence by issuing a public statement this week.

The group accused the Harriers board of being obstructive and denying them access to the club's accounts and legal documents - and major shareholder Newton has echoed their criticisms.

Chairman Colin Youngjohns, however, has responded by saying the club will not open its doors to the outsiders until they are up front about who is involved in their takeover bid.

Newton's exasperation was evident yesterday when he issued his angriest blast to date to the Shuttle/Times and News, accusing the board of delaying tactics.

He said: "This could have been done four weeks ago because it's been going on since April 29.

"I informed the auditor then that I'd got an interested party and I reported back to the board the day after that."

He said the board had been aware of the consortium since he brought a representative to the Grimsby game on April 30 and spelled out the interest.

He said: "I sat in front of the vice chairman Barry Norgrove, financial director John Baldwin and chairman Colin Youngjohns and they told me on that day that they (the consortium) could do due diligence.

"Now they've done a complete U-turn and blocked it. They still won't let these people in when it could've been resolved a month ago."

Newton fears the drawn-out saga will damage Harriers' chances next season.

He added: "The problem now is it doesn't matter whether Stuart Watkiss goes or stays because whoever comes in, the board are doing harm to the club.

"Whoever comes in will struggle because the board have not thought this through.

"We should be looking to launch ourselves back into the league, not putting up obstacles."

He added: "I'm not responding to the board in any way, shape or form from now unless they go through my solicitor. I'm washing my hands of them."

When the takeover issue is resolved, Newton has threatened to lift the lid on the saga.

He added: "I am concerned but I'm not saying anything at this stage. I don't think it's for the good of the club, but I warn you, my time will come to reveal all."

If and when the outside consortium are allowed to do their due diligence, Newton will set a 14-day deadline from the moment they set foot inside Aggborough.

Newton has reiterated his intention to sell all of his 680,000 shares for the sum of £1 providing they invest £400,000 into the club.

Meanwhile, the Harriers board have declared they are unwilling to lay their books open until they have more information on the identity of the Hampshire consortium.

Youngjohns took delivery of a faxed press statement from the group, issued through Newton's solicitors Wall, James and Davies earlier this week.

The release did not state, specifically, who it was being issued on behalf of, nor did it include a contact address or a name for the consortium's solicitors.

It did include a mobile phone number for a Chris Farnell.

Youngjohns believes himself and the current board are being reasonable in requesting more information.

He said: "We await their response with interest so we can ask them what ideas they've got for our football club.

"We've left messages on the mobile phone because that's the only point of contact we've got for them and they've not come back to anybody.

"All we ask is that the people who want to look at our books tell us who they are.

"Would anybody let people look at their books if they didn't know who they were? We've had no letter heads, no official names, nothing."

He added: "They haven't told us when they're coming, who they are... normally you'd have a phonecall saying 'I'm Joe Bloggs' or 'I'm acting on his behalf can we look at the books' and we'd say 'put it in writing and we'll take it from there.'

"We've been above board and straightforward about everything as we always are. Sooner or later everybody will smell the coffee and I can't believe it's taking as long as it is."

l Harriers fans have their last chance to renew season tickets at the reduced rates on Saturday when the ticket office will be open from 10am to noon.

The club's friendlies with Sheffield Wednesday and Halesowen Town have been cancelled amid fears Harriers will not have enough players.