ANGRY Wrexham FC fans carried a mock coffin yesterday to a game they believe could be the club's last.

Around 300 fans marched to the FA Cup first round clash at Hayes FC, which came just days before a petition to wind up the club goes before the High Court.

The fans' coffin was daubed with a simple message: "Rest in peace Wrexham FC - murdered by property developers."

The winding-up order from the Inland Revenue relates to a £900,000 unpaid tax bill and will be heard on Wednesday.

It means the League One club - which has debts upwards of £3m - faces liquidation and going out of existence after a proud history stretching back more than 130 years.

But fans hope the club's two directors, Dave Bennett and Dave Griffiths, choose to place the club into administration - a move which would see the hearing cancelled and the club saved in the short term.

It is understood the directors could leave it until minutes before the wind-up order is due to be heard before choosing administration.

This week the club's current owner, property developer Alex Hamilton, rejected a £2.5m bid by Wrexham Supporters' Trust to buy out the club.

But Mr Hamilton is still considering an offer from former business partner and ex-Wrexham chairman Mark Guterman.

Mr Guterman, who resigned as chairman earlier this year, is also unpopular with fans who yesterday waved red cards at him as he watched the game with former club striker and manager Dixie McNeil.

Charles Wardle, of Wrexham Supporters' Trust, said: "Unless something desperate happens we are facing administration or liquidation on Wednesday.

"I don't think anyone is going to come up with a rescue plan and a cheque for the Inland Revenue so I am praying the directors will take the club into administration.

"We will have 10 points deducted by the Football League but we will at least still have the club at Wrexham."

This weekend, one of the club's directors said they would opt for administration if Mr Hamilton rejects Mr Guterman's offer.

"Going into administration has got to be the most sensible thing to do," Mr Bennett stated. "I think Hamilton would take the club into liquidation and even if administration leads to us ending up in the division below it's not the end of Wrexham Football Club."

Former club chief executive John Reames, who quit the board last month, added: "The only sensible option is to go into administration before Wednesday.

"I've been advising the board to do that for weeks. It would give the club breathing space and stop the club's creditors taking action or doing something dramatic against the club.

"It would take the control of the situation away from Alex Hamilton. There aren't any other options as far as I can see."

Following Wrexham's 4-0 win at Hayes, team manager Denis Smith said: "It's important to save the club, first and foremost. Personalities shouldn't really come into it."

Wales on Sunday Comment

There is nothing worse fro any football fan than the thought of their club going out of existence.

Wrexham FC is Wales’ oldest club and it has a proud history.

It must not be allowed to die.

The directors now must pick the lesser of two evils – administration over liquidation.

It is in their hands to save the club.

Their decision is the most important since 1872 when the first club members met to form Wrexham FC.