Neville Dickens helped bring Wrexham out of administration

Geoff Moss has taken sole control of Wrexham Football Club after buying out the 50% stake owned by chairman Neville Dickens, who steps down from that role.

Dickens will retain a hands-on position with the club as senior vice-president.

Moss told BBC Sport Wales that Dickens sold to avoid any conflict of interest with redevelopment plans, as Dickens owns land around the Racecourse Ground.

"I've paid off the bank overdraft so the club is in good shape now financially," Moss said.

"Neville didn't want to have what he felt was any conflict of interest because of his piece of land there, so this takes it all out under one banner.

"Neville will be very much at the forefront of the club."

A statement released by the club read: "This will facilitate negotiations to take place with a group of north Wales businessmen about long-term investment in the club.

"It is envisaged that the club will form its own property development company and, subject to planning permission, undertake a building scheme to develop the land around the stadium, including Mr Dickens' former garage.

"As part of the scheme, a new stand will be built at the Kop End of the ground.

"This development will provide the necessary funds to repay the club debt and establish a long-term income stream for the club."

With Dickens, Moss - a local businessman who recently sold his travel company Elegant Resorts to Thomas Cook - was a leading figure in the consortium that took over at the Racecourse Ground in August 2006, helping bring the north Wales football club out of administration.

Dickens became the chairman, with Moss as a director, but Moss will now become chairman after taking sole ownership of the club.

In April Dickens told the BBC Wrexham was not for sale despite relegation from League Two, but said new investment was being sought.

The North East Wales Institute of Higher Education (NEWI) has withdrawn from a joint proposal to build student accommodation on part of the Racecourse Ground car park.

But Moss said that the club has alternative plans in place and now expects new investment to arrive swiftly.

"It is going to happen and things will happen very quickly, and we will be building some student accommodation anyway," Moss said.

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"Hopefully all is not lost with NEWI, but that's not the end of the world because students still need accommodation."

Moss hopes that a firmer financial footing will eventually allow manager Brian Little to strengthen his squad for the coming Blue Square Premier campaign, as Wrexham look to bounce back to the Football League at the first attempt.

"Give us a little bit of time on that, Brian is fully aware of everything that is going on and we like to think that we've been very supportive of him since he came into the football club and will continue to be supportive," Moss added.

Dragons manager Little has spent the summer revamping his squad but could still recruit more players before the new season gets underway.

Wrexham begin life in the Blue Square Premier on 9 August, with a home match against Stevenage Borough.