WREXHAM manager Denis Smith last night appealed for financial backing when he addressed a meeting of the club's supporters.

The Dragons boss, who has been working on a limited budget since he arrived at the club just over three years ago, was given a standing ovation when he took the microphone but he warned: "You haven't heard what I'm going to say yet."

Praising the work of Wrexham Supporters' Trust, Smith said: "I'm pleased to see the people who have put so much hard work into making sure people all around the world know what's going on at Wrexham and how much trouble we are in.

"But of all the money you are raising I'm not getting any of it. The good thing is that Alex Hamilton is not getting any of it either. But I'd like some help with paying players and scouts and the like - and maybe a bit too for a night out with the lads."

On a more serious note, Smith said everyone at the club was backing the Trust's fundraising efforts, which were appreciated by his staff and the players.

Commenting on the proposed buyout by Surrey businessman, Andy Smith, the Racecourse boss demolished rumours that club captain Darren Ferguson was linked with businessman.

"Mr Smith is no relative of mine and he's definitely not related to Darren, who did get a phone call. He asked me what to do and I passed the details on."

The Trust has so far raised more than £50,000 for its fighting fund - £34,000 of which has been raised in the past eight weeks through a variety of initiatives, all of which have been boosted by the publicity generated by the club's plight and the support from football fans across the country.

But a new scheme designed to generate substantial capital in a relatively short time is set to be launched in the new year.

Working with the Co-op Bank, the Trust is setting up a loan note scheme through which supporters can lend a minimum of £100, or multiples thereof, with the sole intention of buying shares in the club.

Trust treasurer Mark Williams said the loan note scheme would be ring-fenced, with the capital being used either to support the Trust's own buyout bid or in partnership with other buyers.

Board member Charles Wardle, who drew up the Racecourse redevelopment proposal in the Trust's buyout bid, said the emergence of two new potential buyers since Wrexham were put into administration last week was being watched closely.

"Until we know a lot more about the proposals from either of the new parties the jury is still out," he added. "But we have made it clear we will only back buyout proposals which involve a guaranteed long-term future for Wrexham FC at the Racecourse."

And he said the Trust, which has twice been rebuffed by current owner Hamilton, was also involved in talks with yet another party, who was interested in forming a joint bid with the Trust and Wrexham Council, which wants to secure the future of the Racecourse as a national sports stadium for the region.