The businessman, who has been involved in the protracted takeover of the club, today pleaded for all round support.

Mr Peacock said the consortium had pledged their backing to the club through heavy investment and it was now awaiting on two important results - Saturday's game and the creditors' meeting on May 7.

"We are trying to put the club on a professional footing and that is no disrespect to what has gone before," said Mr Peacock, a Bradford businessman who is working alongside David Bosomworth and Bobby Ham, to turn the struggling club's fortunes round.

"There are more hurdles to get through yet if our new company can progress."

Mr Peacock said bigger attendances and business support would be needed and the new owners would be putting in place commercial activities.

The businessmen are prepared to take over the club which is losing up to £30,000 a month and fund a continuing shortfall until the club breaks even.

"We hope to get the club on a better footing off the field as soon as possible with stronger management - but we do need help from fans and the business community. We can't do it alone and we hope fans recognise an awful lot of time and money has been put in by the consortium."

Mr Peacock is the founder of Caterleisure Ltd, of Wilsden, Bradford.
Its business involves operating licensed bars, catering, and retail shop services across the UK including airports and tourist attractions.
Around 20 people are employed at the Bradford head office and many more at around 50 sites across the country.

Turnover is expected to reach £10 million this year.
Mr Peacock has been runnning his business for more than 30 years and in the early days he used to operate outlets at Bradford Council attractions.

It expanded into airports, railway stations, stately homes and Gloucester Cathedral.
Mr Peacock is part of the consortium which includes Wakefield BMW dealer David Bosomworth and retired building firm owner Bobby Ham.
They have put over £400,000 into the club since January 2007 and are hoping to take full control.
Mr Peacock is listed as a creditor via Caterleisure Ltd with the sum of £60,763 outstanding.
Mr Ham, of York, is listed as being owed £20,000.

*CALDERDALE Council will press ahead with completing the Shay regardless of whether the Stadium Trust has the money for fully fitting it out.

With a contractor about to be appointed, the council has confirmed that it will put up to £2.7 million into finishing the east stand and creating space for spectators, changing facilities, bars, hospitality rooms and toilets.

The trust is continuing its efforts to raise up to £1 million so that it can develop the new accommodation to make the stadium economically viable.

There should also be fund raising opportunities and outlets for Halifax Town and Halifax Rugby League Club.

In return for investing in the sports ground, the council is negotiating with the trust to release parts of the 13-acre site for other developments.

"The principles are clearly understood but nothing has been signed as yet because of the need to get the legal documentation in place," said the stadium's chief executive Geoff Butler.

"There is tremendous good will on the part of everyone involved to bring this to a satisfactory conclusion."

Work is due to begin on the stand on June 25, it should be completed by December 19 and ready for use on January 12 2009.