ILKESTON Town's senior director believes the club is facing a bright future as he heads talks to find a new backer for the Unibond Premier outfit.
After being deeply involved in talks for a fortnight, David Morgan said he hopes the deal will be settled shortly to clear concerns among fans.

"Talks are continuing and are at an advanced stage in respect to a new owner and benefactor joining the club, following the passing away of Paul Millership, our benefactor for the last 15 years.

"I am very optimistic about the future. This will secure the club's financial future, which is the most important thing," said Morgan, the former Huddersfield defender and Arnold manager.

Solicitors and accountants are currently involved in sorting out the details of the deal, which would see the new man making a healthy financial contribution.

Morgan emphasised that the club is doing all it can to pull clear of the relegation zone, to enable the new backer to inherit a club in the Premier and just one step away from the lower rung of the Conference.

With Saturday's game off, attention turned to other results but these did not favour the Robins. Frickley hammered Hednesford and North Ferriby United also won.

The referee checked the New Manor Ground before 10am on Saturday, to save Whitby the trouble of setting off. He decided the game should be postponed because the goalmouths were frozen.

That left manager Nigel Jemson going on a scouting mission to Belper, where Cammel Laird were the visitors. He has been keeping an eye on a player from that division.

He gave the players a day off, after their hard night's work on a heavy pitch at Leek on the previous Tuesday. They were also put through their paces on a training session on Thursday.

And he pointed to the heavy schedule ahead, especially during March and April when they face sides in the same predicament.

"It is in our hands. We have got to beat the teams around us. If we don't beat those teams, we don't deserve to do anything.

"March and April will be key games for us and we have to be ready. It's not as if we are playing Witton or Gateshead," added Jemson.

- A hurriedly organised fixture gives Ilkeston Town hopes of easing relegation worries this weekend.

Mid-table Prescot Cables will visit the New Manor Ground for a Unibond Premier clash on Saturday, kick-off 3pm.

The Robins had been scheduled to play in the quarter finals of the League Cup, meeting the winners of the Eastwood Town and Guiseley clash.

But their opponents have not been settled with poor weather forcing postponements at the ground of the Yorkshire side.

League officials allowed Ilkeston to bring forward their clash with Prescot, which was due to have been playedon Wednesday March 12.

Ilkeston manager Nigel Jemson will be without experienced midfield man Justin Walker, who is suspended. He is hoping injuries clear up but welcomed the prospect of action.

"I am relieved to have the league game, to be honest. Not having had a game last week, it would have been difficult and this is a big game for both teams.

"Prescot are a hard-working side and it will not be an easy game at all but I am looking forward to it," added Jemson.

When Guiseley and Eastwood sort out their League Cup business, the winners will come to the New Manor Ground on Wednesday February 20.

And on February 27, Ilkeston will entertain Whitby Town in the league for the game which fell victim to the weather last Saturday.

As well as filling in a blank Saturday, the Prescot switch should help the club in March, when seven matches had been due to be played.