THE latest twist in the saga at Gateshead has left fans wondering whether it has a future – despite claims from the club’s owner suggesting they are close to finalising a playing budget for next season.

Heed owner Dr Ranjan Varghese has sprung a surprise by continuing his cost-cutting efforts and that has included sacking manager Ben Clark by email after a nine-year association with the club.

The former Sunderland, Gateshead and Hartlepool defender was handed two weeks’ notice along with press officer Dominic Scurr, leaving the National League outfit with no members of staff.

Despite a season when they only narrowly missed out on a play-off spot, Gateshead’s campaign has been shrouded in off-the-field turmoil.

As well as being placed under a transfer embargo and seeing key players plus popular members of staff leave, there has been a dispute over unpaid wages and an ongoing investigation into the club’s financial advisor Joseph Cala.

Gateshead have also been thrown out of the Gateshead International Stadium, where they have been based, because of unpaid bills owed to Gateshead Council.

There has been talk of a move to Newcastle Falcons' Kingston Park and Dr Varghese claims to be close to making an 'exciting announcement' in the next couple of weeks.

That has not stopped supporters of Gateshead from arranging a meeting on Wednesday night to discuss the ongoing troubles, culminating in a major cull of staff over the last week.

General Manager Alisha Henry was the first to be sacked via email and Ian Watson's dismissal as assistant manager followed. Kit manager JJ O'Donnell and club therapist Annie Davis have since been informed they were no longer required and then, on Tuesday, it was Clark and Scurr’s turn.

Clark captained Gateshead to the National League play-off final in 2014 and took over earlier this year when Steve Watson left for York. He almost guided the Heed into the play-off places with a threadbare squad.

Captain Scott Barrow is contracted until the end of June but the rest of the squad are set to become free agents and can talk to other clubs.

Dr Varghese – believed to have agreed a deal in principle for former Rochdale chairman Chris Dunphy to buy the club - has blamed financial difficulties for the latest round of severe cut-backs.

A statement from Dr Varghese read: "I took Gateshead FC over a week before the season started and inherited a club that was haemorrhaging money on a regular basis.

"This was unsustainable and I set about reducing the crippling monthly financial losses down to a more manageable figure. This has proven to be a significant challenge given the limited number of regular fans coming through the turnstiles.

"Over the past ten months we have had to make some very tough decisions that weren't always popular and weren't made lightly. They were crucial to ensuring the club's survival and these past few days in particular have been very difficult."

It continued: “It has become more and more apparent to fans, players, officials, staff and sponsors that the International Stadium is not ideal and we have been working hard behind the scenes to identify an appropriate venue that could become our new home.

“We are currently exploring several options and expect to make an exciting announcement in the coming weeks. Please rest assured that we are working towards long term sustainability, it has been a painful process but we are getting there."