Crawley's owners have broken their silence to ease the growing unrest around the struggling club.

The SA Group have answered questions and concerns voiced by supporters through their website ctfc.net.

They confirmed:

l Director of Football Steve Duly is on gardening leave and is still discussing his future at the club.

l The playing budget under former manager Francis Vines was "astronomical" and has now been cut.

l The club will not go bankrupt if Reds are relegated and would stay full-time.

l They blame the club's lowly position on the players.

l Chairman Chas Majeed is running the club on a day-to-day basis.

l Alan Mullery is not paid by the club and has no involvement in transfers but is available on the telephone to give advice.

l Their long term aim is still to get the club into the Football League.

Crawley are battling relegation from the Conference against a background of growing unrest.

The mood turned ugly after Saturday's embarrassing FA Trophy defeat against Boreham Wood when boss John Hollins was confronted by supporters at the final whistle.

It followed an alarming sequence of one win in nine league games which has left Reds second bottom in the Conference.

The SA Group asked supporters to submit questions after criticism about their lack of communication.

Fans have become increasingly disillusioned with the way the club is being run following the dismissal of Vines and his backroom staff.

There are also worries about how Duly had become marginalised. The former managing director, who was instrumental in helping Reds reach the Conference, had not been seen at the club since October and was said to be "on holiday".

But assistant general manager Ben Taylor, speaking on behalf of the SA Group, said: "Steve Duly's current position is that he is on official gardening leave.

"There were reports Steve was returning to work but he was, in fact, having a meeting with the chairman about his future role with the club and they were unable to agree on a suitable position.

"Chas (Majeed) made him an offer which Steve turned down and they are still discussing what will happen in the future."

Fans became frustrated with Crawley's lack of activity in the transfer window.

They were told when Hollins took over that money would be available during January but only Omari Coleman was brought in after the departure of loanee Tris Whitman.

Taylor confirmed the playing budget has been cut because it was too high during Vines' time in charge.

He said: "When we first took over we heard from Steve Duly and Francis Vines that we needed to spend so much on the squad.

"But some of the players were on crazy money and had crazy deals.

"Francis Vines' budget was astronomical - we are talking in terms of approaching Stevenage's level - and Chas realised we couldn't sustain that level of spending. The current budget is still plenty to get the job done."

Despite cuts, the SA Group insist Crawley will not face a financial crisis if they are relegated from the Conference.

Former owner John Duly sold the club because it was operating at a loss and since the SA Group took over in the summer, Crawley have gone full-time and income from attendances has dropped.

But Taylor said: "The club is on a solid footing. We will not go bankrupt or fold if we get relegated. Grays were full-time for several years before they got promoted and Weymouth are full-time in the Conference south this season."

Taylor says the long-term aim of the owners is still to reach the Football League and has urged supporters to get behind the club in their current relegation battle.

He said: "We understand a lot of fans' frustration at some events this season and will endeavour to improve our communication with the supporters.

"Chas Majeed puts his money into the club and we want everyone to pull together. We are not here to flush Crawley down the toilet and end a great club with a proud history.

"Chas Majeed lived in Crawley when he was a little boy and he lives here now. He is backing the club because he wants to do something for the community.

"If he pulled out the club might well be finished. That's not meant to sound like a threat but it's the reality of the situation."