Accrington boss John Coleman pleads for unified front

(from left to right) Eric Whalley, manager John Coleman, assistant Jimmy Bell and David O'Neill

Coleman (second from left) led Stanley to the Football League in 2006

Accrington boss John Coleman believes it is time for the club's three major shareholders to sort out their differences and appoint a figurehead.

Chairman Ilyas Khan, managing director David O'Neill and former chairman Eric Whalley still need to agree who actually owns the club.

"My wish is that all parties should be recognised for what they're doing for us," Coleman told BBC Radio Lancashire.

"No-one's demeaning the club but they don't seem to be pulling together."

He added: "The big problem is there is no figurehead.

"Sometimes you feel like a child who is in the middle of a divorce and you want your parents to be friendly, and to an extent that's the way it's getting here.

Ilyas showed a magnificent gesture in saving the club from being wound-up and I'd like to think he has a big part in our future

Accrington manager John Coleman on chairman Ilyas Khan

"If you look at the three big players in the whole scenario I know they've all got Accrington's interests at heart, but sometimes the way they go about it may be misguided."

Accrington faced a winding-up order by HM Revenue and Customs last season over unpaid debts.

But after Khan stepped in to save the League Two club, Coleman believes the local businessman is just as keen to see stability.

"Ilyas showed a magnificent gesture in saving the club from being wound-up and I'd like to think he has a big part in our future," said the 47-year-old.

"He's very emotionally tied to the area and I think he'd see it as a legacy if he could get the club on a firm standing."

And the Liverpool-born boss, who signed a new contract which will keep him at the Crown Ground until 2015, feels O'Neill's decision to cut the players budget last season has strengthened their financial status, despite some initial concerns.

"I know he gets pilloried but one job that Dave has done very well is pruning the playing staff budget," he said.

"I was a big objector to the move two years ago when he [O'Neill] first came on board. But we managed to do it last season and still produce some good football and to a lesser extent we've done it again this season so it can be done.

"It puts the club in a good, stable financial position, rather than having to pay wages that you simply can't afford."