Wigan Athletic Supporters Club 'confident a credible way forward will be found'

The group - fronted by Oostende chief executive Gauthier Ganaye, and backed by American financiers Randy Frankel and Michael Kalt - were reported to have stepped back from the process after being seen as the frontrunners for several weeks.

However, the Supporters Club say they are still in touch with a view to possibly 'reviewing their position', and remain positive on the whole about finding a successful resolution.

"For the past four weeks, Wigan Athletic Supporters Club have been working closely with some of the parties interested in purchasing Wigan Athletic Football Club," the statement read.

"On Friday 18th September the Supporters Club agreed to support a bid from one of those interested parties, with the aim of using the monies raised by the supporters via the crowdfunder as planned – in return for an equity stake in the football club and to secure a voice for the fans in the boardroom.

"As has been reported via social media this bid, which we are unable to disclose in full, has been rejected by the administrators.

"Despite this, we remain committed to finding a solution. We have returned to make immediate contact with the bidder to review their position.

"We are also continuing to speak with other remaining interested parties, and we are still confident that a credible way forward will be found.

"Once again we ask supporters to understand that there are legal processes we have to abide by and we cannot share information as frequently as we would like.

"However, we will continue to update you at every opportunity, and we will keep working tirelessly until the survival of our football club has been secured.

"From all the team at Wigan Athletic Supporters Club."