THE mystery bidder trying to save Wrexham FC today told the Leader: I'll know in seven days if my bid has been accepted.

And Surrey businessman Andy Smith today promised fans that his consortium would keep the club at The Racecourse.

Mr Smith was in Wrexham yesterday talking to Various interested parties' about a club buy-out but took time to speak exclusively before he set off back to Surrey.

"I'm not sure I should say anything at this point," he said. "But I'll listen to your questions and if I can answer them I will."

Mr Smith, who runs property businesses from his commercial and home base near Woking, said he, as the main figure in a consortium, wanted to lift Wrexham FC out of administration and put it back on its feet.

He said: "We are looking at buying Wrexham FC as part of a consortium. I've been in Wrexham all day today talking to various interested parties."

Mr Smith wouldn't answer detailed questions about the consortium or the talks, but wanted it to be known that he was prepared to fight to keep Wrexham as a football club.

Mr Smith said: "There is no intention on our part to see Wrexham close.

"We've made an offer subject to conditions. That offer is being considered at the moment but we hope to hear within seven days if it has been accepted."

Mr Smith said he had first become interested in Wrexham FC when he saw and heard about the club's plight on television.

He travelled up from Surrey to watch the Stockport game this week and was impressed with the stadium and the club.

"I think it's an excellent club. It's had its problems but what club hasn't."

But he wants fans to rally round and turn up in greater number to support the team, especially for home games.

"I was shocked by the low turnout for the Stockport game," he said. "The survival of any club relies on its gate."

Mr Smith would not be drawn on details of the offer made by his consortium, but it is likely that any deal will involve development of part of the Racecourse site.

"I have to leave now," he said as he set off on journey down south to begin a waiting game back in Surrey that could mean the long term future of Wrexham FC is saved.

Mr Smith is a businessman who runs a property company and a series of pubs. He is also a former Surrey county councillor.

He's a down to earth approachable man who doesn't stand on ceremony. Friends have told us that he prefers to be called Andy rather than Andrew.

Members of Wrexham Supporters' Trust met with him after the match with Stockport on Tuesday.

Trust board member Lindsay Jones said: "It was a very brief meeting. The talks could be described as constructive. As yet there have been no deals signed and as a result Mr Smith was not able to give us very much information about his plans.

"However, he did tell us that he intended taking the club out of administration as soon as possible and also keeping the club playing at The Racecourse.

"In turn, we told Mr Smith that we would back any buyer who had the club's best interests at heart. We have agreed to meet again when the situation has become clearer."

Staff at Mr Smith's local football club in Surrey talk very highly of the man trying to take over Wrexham FC.

He was more than happy to stump up a four figure cheque to support Woking FC's football in the community programme, and gave up his time to support a youth tournament set up by the club.

Woking FC Football in the Community co-ordinator Jane Spong said: "Andy Smith is one of the most genuine and generous men I have ever met.

"He's not one of those who's in it for the money, other things matter to him like giving something back to the community."

She said she met Mr Smith in The Victoria, in Woodham, Surrey, just after he had bought the pub.

"I noticed there was a popular pinball machine and he told me all the proceeds from it went to a local hospice. That was when I asked him if would think about sponsoring our football in the community programme.

"He wanted to know all about it and then he came up with a substantial cheque. That's just the kind of guy he is."