OLDHAM Athletic owner Abdallah Lemsagam has told supporters he will not walk away from the club despite relegation to the football league basement.

Reports today in a national newspaper claimed a tax bill of £130,000, outstanding to HMRC, has gone unpaid and also that wages had not been paid on time for several months.

In a statement released shortly after the article was published today, Lemsagam said: “My long term aim and ambition for Oldham has not changed.

“I have never run away from any challenge and will not be doing so at Oldham.

“I am fully committed to this great club.”

Lemsagam, a former agent, says he remains committed Oldham, but conceded that the financial situation he inherited was a far greater challenge than he had anticipated.

“I have invested several millions in the club since my arrival but unfortunately the mess was bigger than we expected,” he added.

“Let me be clear, I am here for the long term.

“I will continue to invest whenever it is needed but our ultimate goal is to run the club in a responsible and sustainable manner.

“I would like to thank all our fans for sticking by the club.”

Oldham Athletic, the founder members of the Premier League in 1992-93, will start next season in League Two.