But they admitted that accepting the new money meant the consortium could bring in their own man – Kevin Keehan.

Elliott described the new contributors as "local business people who are interested in Lewes Football Club – and Kevin Keehan."

He said. "They are supporting him, with Lewes Football Club.

"They're not coming in and buying shares. They're not coming in and, you know, throwing £300,000 at us. There are no new directors at all, no buy-out, no takeover. What they're doing is supporting their man AND the football club. And we'll get an influx of money via sponsorship, which will enable us to set a slightly better budget than we would have had. They are then going to work with us, and if we work together well and form a relationship over the next 12 months then there may be some changes in terms of people coming in to help on the board over that period."

Elliott and Powell said none of the potential sponsorship money was coming from Keehan himself, who will be installed team manager, commercial manger, and general club manager.

Powell said, "It's a commercial involvement by a number of people that will strengthen Lewes Football Club and make it more viable going forward on a trading and captial basis.

Elliott added, "We're getting a whole team effectively. We're not just getting a new manager, we're getting someone who comes from a commercial background – 10 years' exerience of working on the commercial side of Brighton & Hove Albion, which is going to strengthen our commercial side without a question of a doubt. And he's bringing in a whole team of football enthusiasts who are local business people, who are going to help, through sponsorship, Lewes Football Club."

When asked if he was able to name who these local business were, Elliott said, "We're going to do that over a period of time. But there is one name that is in the public domain which is Gareth Barry, an England player and a local lad. He's quite happy to recognise the fact that he's supporting us. We have met Gareth Barry and we know he's part of the team. In the discussions with Kevin that have taken place – and obviously a number of meetings have taken place – we have met a number of the people who are going to help us in the coming season. And we take a great deal of confidence from the meetings that we had with them. They're committed to the football club and we believe that they are committed to the agenda that we are."

Powell added, "The reason why this consortium is getting involved is not just for football – Active Lewes plays a big part in this too. They have the same ideals as we do that we are promoting Lewes Football Club in the community. The education side is key to us. I know it's not key to supporters – all they want to know is how the team's doing. But our process right from the word go was community, education and Active Lewes – and that haven't changed."

Elliott said, "Kevin Keehan is coming in to manage the first team, but he will also provide a great deal of experience, general management assistance and also help on the commercial side."

Referring to Keehan's CV, Powell said, "He has actually managed at (Horsham) YMCA but has no managerial experience at this level. But again, we've been there before. People at the time said exactly the same thing (when King was appointed)." And he'll bring in people round him, I'm sure. He'll bring in a good coach."

Asked whether Keehan had only been appointed as first team manager because of the money behind him, Powell said, "That's not quite right, actually, because, as we saw the potential in Steve King when we took him on, we as a board have considered Kevin and we believe that he will be able to bring together a team. He has a huge amount of footballing experience and knowledge – and a huge amount of contacts.

Elliott insisted Keehan had no extra influence of power as first team manager because of his links with the consortium. He said, "He has no investment, no money going in. Kevin Keehan is an employee of the company. If it doesn't work, we can change it.

"And it's a brave move on his part to leave the job that he has. Isn't that a vote of confidence in the board at Lewes Football Club and what's been achieved over the past few years?

You've got somebody leaving a position like he's got and been in for some while.

"I think you'll find the football enthusiasts of Sussex running around behind Lewes FC like you've never seen it before.

I honestly believe that."