Chairman Bobby Hunter was close to naming a successor to the sacked Jim Hackett when a large independent company entered negotiations to buy the Quay, who have enjoyed 17 unbroken seasons in the Welsh Premier League.

The company, who wish to remain nameless, told the Chronicle talks are at an advanced stage and will continue over the weekend as there is still work to be done before a deal can be sealed.

If a deal does go through, Nomads can expect to operate on a far greater budget than the one Hunter offered to prospective bosses.

Hunter, who took over the chairman’s role after main benefactor John Gray stood down in November, was particularly impressed with one local-based applicant, who was willing to work within the tight wage structure, and another who said he could guarantee to bring players with proven top-flight quality to the Deeside Stadium