FRIDAY the 13th is deadline day for the board of directors at Kidderminster Harriers who are battling to keep control of the Aggborough club.

Former chairman Lionel Newton is weighing up bids for his majority shareholding from current board members and a rival consortium from Hampshire.

Several of the key figures putting together the rival offer are currently involved with Farnborough Football Club.

The power struggle at Aggborough is set to come to a head over the next few days with the club's relegation to the Conference placing an impossible strain on their finances.

Chairman Colin Youngjohns and his board, and a group of local investors - including another former chairman Dave Reynolds - have offered Newton £450,000 for his shares.

The deal was put to Newton through auditors Howarth, Clark and Whitehill on Friday and the club's directors held talks with the Welsh millionaire after Saturday's game with Grimsby at Aggborough.

Newton requested 14 days to make up his mind and has given the Farnborough group the same period to make him a formal offer.

Mike Jenkins, who is believed to be part of the Hampshire-based consortium, was given a tour of the ground by Newton on Saturday.

Farnborough chairman Ron Higgins and associate Roy Maxwell were also believed to have been in the crowd, fuelling speculation they are part of the takeover group.

Higgins is believed to be on the brink of leaving his position as chairman of Farnborough who have just been relegated from the Conference.

Jenkins was employed temporarily as a coach during the season.

Youngjohns is concerned about the motives of the rival consortium and insists a deal involving the current board would be in the club's best interests.

"Why would these people from the South East want to get involved with Kidderminster Harriers?" he said.

"The club has got no assets, it has just got relegated. Why didn't they do it six months ago when it was still in the league and much more valuable?

"I can't see how they can benefit Kidderminster Harriers.

"I'm not against a third party coming in if they have got the club's best interests at heart but we're not prepared to let somebody ruin what lots of people, me included, have given a lifetime to build up."

Newton is still owed £465,000 by the club - but has re-iterated his willingness to write off the debt and release his shareholding for £1 if an investor with a minimum of £400,000 comes forward.

He added the new consortium and their accountant hoped to run the rule over the club's books early next week.

They have until Friday, May 13 to put together a formal offer before Newton considers his next course of action.

Newton said: "I have not been privy to any management accounts for some time and it was only very recently, when the situation became clear, the serious financial trouble the club is in."