Hotelier Innes late on Thursday thrashed out a management deal with the club's interim liquidators similar to that granted to Steve Archibald earlier in the season.

But Innes insisted that, unlike Archibald, his group would be able to come up with the cash that would conclude a full takeover.

And he has appealed for the backing of the club's fans, who up until now have remained behind former Scotland and Barcelona striker Archibald.

Innes said late on Thursday: "Yes, we have signed everything and we will be working with KPMG until the end of the season."

Only solution

Prospective manager Ian McCall will now spend Friday signing enough players capable of fulfilling Saturday's home fixture with Falkirk.

But Innes said: "''This is the best solution for everyone involved with Airdrie FC - and it's the only solution.

"I am appealing to everyone in the town to get behind us, because the club and the new management team needs their support.''

KPMG had rejected a late, improved bid by Archibald, while former Livingston chairman Bill Hunter had also dropped out the running.

Happy with undertakings

Innes will now resign from the board of Third Division Dumbarton and expects that the sale of Airdrie will not be concluded for some months.

''Negotations will continue with KPMG over the long-term future of the club, but they are happy with the undertakings we've given to pay off the club's creditors,'' he said.