A consortium of Crystal Palace fans has taken the first steps to buying over the club after agreeing preferred bidder status.

Joint administrators Brendan Guilfoyle, Christopher White and John Russell of The P&A Partnership announced yesterday that the CPFC Consortium had secured the status.

The identities of the men behind the group are being kept firmly under wraps with the club only willing to say it was headed by businessmen who have been associated with Palace for some time and were fans.

The main protagonist though is believed the Steve Parish, the chief executive of TAG Worldwide, an international design and production agency that sponsored the back of the Palace shirts in the 2007/2008 season.

Guilfoyle said: "I am very pleased to have granted preferred bidder status to the CPFC 2010 Consortium.

"I am satisfied they have the finances and the ability to purchase the club and reach agreement with the creditors of the club.”

The consortium's major stumbling block though is the ownership of Palace's home ground, Selhurst Park, as their offer is only conditional upon them acquiring it from administrators PricewaterhouseCoopers, which must be done before Palace cash runs out in the summer.

Guilfoyle said: “The key to the proposed sale is the stadium and I am hopeful that the CPFC 2010 Consortium can have constructive negotiations with the stadium administrator, Laurie Manson.

"However, time is of the essence, I think everyone knows that I am not currently funded beyond the last game of the season.”

Spokesman for the consortium, DJ and Eagles fan David Jensen, said: “I am pleased to be assisting the CPFC 2010 Consortium who are grateful and privileged to be granted preferred bidder status.

"Like me, the club is important to them and they have come forward with an offer to save the club from closure."

Jensen also revealed the consortium is looking for any other fans that might be interested in joining them.

He said: "The consortium is well funded and can complete the transaction, however they want the maximum investment to move the club forward.

"Should anyone be interested in joining them, they should contact the administrators.”