THE off-field future of Wycombe Wanderers won't be affected by what happens on the pitch, club chairman Don Woodward said this week.

This afternoon Wanderers face their biggest game in many years as they face off against Northampton Town in a match that could determine who falls through the relegation trapdoor and into non-league football.

Uncertainty around which division Blues will be in next year has stalled talks with three parties interested in taking a 75 per cent controlling interest in the club.

But Woodward said relegation wouldn't necessarily mean any takeover deal is dead in the water - and he said the club will have the funds to fight on in the Conference next season should the worst happen.

Woodward said a planned share issue, with fans pledging money to help swell the club coffers, will now go ahead regardless of whether a takeover is completed.

The Wycombe Wanderers Trust board hope the share issue will raise £2million over a five year period, and so far supporters have pledged £315,000 towards that total - with £115,000 of that being raised within the last fortnight.

Woodward said that backing is proof that Wanderers won't suffer the same financial turmoil as recently-relegated Aldershot Town and Hereford United if they do end up taking the drop.

Both clubs are now battling to avoid a second relegation into regional football, with the Bulls this month needing fans to raise £78,000 in two weeks to pay off a tax bill that could have closed the club down.

Woodward said: "We are in a better position than other people because of attendances and we've got the facilities. It's not great, but it's not a nightmare scenario.

"The share issue will go ahead. There's been a lot of work done and a lot of pledges so we will run it alongside [any takeover].

"We've had a lot of interest from people - they've said 'stay as you are', as a supporter owned club. That's been really encouraging and it takes the pressure off."

Regarding talks on the takeover - which still needs the backing of 75 per cent of Trust Legacy members before it can go ahead - Woodward said: "Things are still progressing on several fronts, although there's no front runner or clear leader.

"It [relegation] affects the planning for some of the people but not all. Some have said yes it will depend on where you are, others have said it doesn't rely on that."