FANS and the former owner of Ilkeston Town have described the High Court winding-up order issued against the club as a "tragedy".

Chek Whyte was speaking after time finally ran out yesterday for the Conference North side to settle its £50,000 debt with the taxman. Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs successfully gained an order for the club to be wound up and handed over to an official receiver. The club is to appeal.

Owner Gary Hodder, who took ownership of the club from Chek Whyte in March, was unavailable for comment last night. But Mr White said: "It is a disaster. From the point I took over we had got it up to the next league and the league above that, which is the highest the club has ever been.

"The only reason we let the club go was because the new owner could take it to the next level, but he has not done that. I can't believe it, it is a tragedy."

Mr Whyte denied that his time at the club had contributed to the club's demise. "How can we contribute to it when we took the team to the next level?" he said.

At last night's academy game at the New Manor Ground, more than 200 fans turned out to cheer the young players at their first – and possibly only – game for the Robins' youth team.

Alan Stevens, 86, of Kenilworth Drive, Kirk Hallam, has been watching the Robins for more than 60 years. He said: "Someone told me before the season not to buy a season ticket. I wish I had listened to them now because it looks like I haven't got a club to support any more."

Bryony Smith, of High Lane Central, West Hallam, said it was her saddest day in more than 20 years supporting the club. "It is just so upsetting, I feel very emotional about it," she said.

Last night the club's secretary, Keith Burnard, said he had been trying all day to contact chairman Mr Hodder without success.

"I've left a number of messages for him so we can find out what is happening, but he has not returned any of my calls," he said.

Erewash Borough Council's leisure spokesman, Michael Wallis, said the authority had been looking at ways of helping the team but was awaiting the outcome of yesterday's hearing. He said: "This is a massive shock."