But the consortium, led by David Bosomworth and Bobby Ham, that has been keeping the club afloat for the past 14 months is ready to make an offer to the administrator.

The Shaymen now face a mandatory Football Association punishment of a 10-point deduction which will leave them one point above the Blue Square Premier drop zone.

Click here to see how the league table will look with a 10-point deduction for Town

But Courier Sport understands the decision to seek administration now rather than wait and take the football punishment next season was made amid fears that they could be handed a 25-point ban in the summer.

Leeds-based business rescue firm Begbies Traynor has agreed to act as administrators and issued a statement this morning explaining the situation.

It said that consortium had taken the decision as they felt there was 'no end in sight to resolving the outstanding issues' in their bid to take control at the Shay.

In a statement released by the potential administrators, it said "The consortium has agreed to provide sufficient funds to pay the costs of the administration and all the ongoing trading debts of the club both prior to and during an administration to ensure the club's survival".

While the consortium has been negotiating to buy a 75 per cent share of Halifax Town, they have encountered several stumbling blocks along the way.

The latest was a winding up petition from former chairman Ray Moreland seeking £7,944.86.

"The debt resulted in other short term financial demands being placed on the club with the consortium left no alternative but to file for a notice of administration," said the statement from Begbies Traynor.

"The consortium has expressed its disappointment that the acquisition has been unable to proceed as planned due to a number of historical trading issues and the company's structure.

"On the assumption that the court makes an order for administration, which is to take place on March 26, Begbies Traynor would advertise Halifax Town AFC Limited for sale.

"However, an expression of interest in acquiring the business assets and goodwill has already been made to the proposed administrators by the consortium.

"The consortium has made it clear that it has filed for administration to protect the club and that, if successful in acquiring the club, it wishes to introduce new initiatives designed to take the club forward with the aim of regaining Football League status."

Peter Sargent, partner of Begbies Traynor, said in the statement: "It is clearly very disappointing for all concerned with the club that the presentation of the winding up petition has meant that action has had to be taken to protect it in the short term.

"Now is the time for the fans of Halifax Town and the people of Calderdale generally to support the club.

"Until the court hearing takes place, it is very much business as usual for the club."

Town last went into administration at the end of the 2001-02 campaign when they were heading towards relegation from the Football League and have been saddled with heavy debts ever since.

Earlier this campaign, the consortium paid a six-figure sum to stave off a winding up order issued against the club by the Inland Revenue.