NEWCASTLE Jets CEO Lawrie McKinna has assured long-suffering fans "we'll get through it" as the search continues for a new owner to keep the club afloat.
Chinese businessman Martin Lee, who has bankrolled the Jets since June, 2016, has spent the past two years trying to offload the franchise that has drained an estimated $15 million from his coffers.
Negotiations with a number of interested parties have broken down, leaving the Jets facing a crisis that has evoked a sense of deja vu among their supporters.
With less than three weeks before the season kick-off, the Jets have a stopgap coach, an incomplete roster, liabilities that are reportedly in the millions, and an owner who McKinna revealed in October has "not given us one penny, for more than a year".
It hardly augurs well for the season ahead, but McKinna was optimistic the Novocastrian faithful would not abandon their team in its hour of need.
"It's not ideal, but we'll get through it," McKinna said.
"Everyone at the club is still working hard to make sure we put the best possible team on the pitch, in the circumstances.
"Times like these are when you need the support."
Times like these are when you need the support.
LAWRIE McKINNA
The Scotsman pointed to the club he has followed all his life, Rangers FC, as an example oif what fanpower can achieve.
"If you remember, about eight or nine years ago, Rangers were relegated from the [Scottish] Premier League to the fourth division [after they were declared insolvent]," he said.
"The first home game they had in the fourth division, they had 48,000 fans turn up. The fans stuck by the club."
Newcastle had about 10,400 members last season, which was severely disrupted by coronavirus restrictions.
McKinna expected all A-League clubs were likely to be a "wee bit down" on last season's numbers but felt Newcastle's early schedule would be a drawcard.
They open their campaign against derby rivals Central Coast in Gosford on December 31, a game that Jets members can attend for free.
Round two will be a grudge match between Newcastle and Western Sydney Wanderers - the team who recently poached Jets coach Carl Robinson. In addition, the Jets play Wellington Phonix in a trial match at McDonald Jones Stadium on Saturday that is a members-only event.
"We've already had 600 responses, whereas in previous seasons we might have had 400 or 500," McKinna said.
"So that's encouraging. If you're looking for a good Christmas present, sign up for a membership. If you get one this week, you can get in to the Wellington game."
Football Federation Australia officials, who have been trying to broker a deal on Lee's behalf, said on Monday they were still "in discussions with a number of prospective buyers".
If they are unable to find a suitable replacement, it has been reported that the Australian Professional Football Clubs Association - the body representing A-League clubs' owners - will consider providing the Jets with a financial safety net.
It is understood the plan would be to support Newcastle for up to 12 months, while continuing to search for a long-term solution.
In their statement on Monday, FFA said they were "hoping to have a new owner for the Newcastle Jets very soon".
But they also explained that a "thorough due diligence process" would be required.
"The end objective is to bring stability and future sustainability to the Jets, who are a very important part of the A-League competition with a proud history and a tremendous fan base," FFA said.
