He was set to sign the papers on Wednesday after months of detailed talks involving his professional advisers during which he made several visits to the New Manor Ground.

Director David Morgan and secretary Keith Burnand played major roles in the switch, which enables the club to plan for the coming season.

Mr Burnand said on Wednesday: "Myself and Dave have worked extremely hard to try and get the deal through and we are expecting it to be signed today.

"We have had one or two hiccups on the road but hopefully it will all be signed and sealed. It has been a worrying and busy time.

"We wanted to make sure that Ilkeston Town does exist as a football club ready to start in the Premier Division next season. We will have to take it from there."

Ilkeston-born Mr Whyte has gained his reputation with the construction and restoration of landmark buildings. The headquarters of Chek Whyte Industries are at Stanford Hall.

He is currently working on plans to build Nottingham's tallest building, a glass-fronted structure in Lower Parliament Street which would include a hotel, offices and 266 apartments.

Mr Whyte takes over following the death in November of Paul Millership, who saved the club when Erewash Borough Council sold the Manor Ground to a Scottish chain of supermarkets.

He organised the move to the New Manor Ground and developed it into one of the best arenas at this level of football, largely using his own cash.

The Robins narrowly avoided relegation from the Unibond Premier Division last month under the managership of former Forest striker Nigel Jemson, who is expected to be replaced.

A handful of players are already under contract, including promising youngsters Matt Baxter and Jordan Hunter. New terms have been offered to several of the existing squad.

- Fresh uncertainty surrounded Ilkeston Town this week as it emerged they could be moved back to the Southern League.

The Football Association will make a final decision for geographical reasons - because so many northerly clubs are heading for the Unibond Premier Division.

Robins' officials are closely watching the situation but whichever league Ilkeston will ply their trade, kick-off has been set for August 16, a week after the Football League swings back into action.

The possible switch partly comes because of the location of three sides which have been promoted to the Unibond Premier Division. These are Nantwich Town, Liverpool-based Cammell Laird and FC United of Manchester.

FC United are one of the wealthiest and best-supported clubs, playing at Gigg Lane, Bury.

Their gates match those of AFC Telford, who provided a huge boost to takings at every away match before they battled their way out of the Unibond set-up.

Halifax and Boston United could also end up in the Unibond Premier League with Hucknall, who finished in the relegation places in the Conference North.

Ilkeston secretary Keith Burnand said the position would probably be discussed at a meeting of the FA Leagues' Committee. He said: "All clubs will be advised what leagues they are going to.

"At the moment, it is pure speculation that clubs are being moved about. Nothing has been decided," he added. Director David Morgan said: "This is all in the hands of the authorities."

The Northern and Southern Premier Leagues are at the same level of the pyramid but Ilkeston would have more local clashes if they stay put. As well as Eastwood Town, they would play Matlock Town and Buxton as well as other additions.

On top of three home matches in their pre-season programme, the Robins will travel to old rivals Gresley Rovers on Saturday August 9 in their final warm-up game.

Manager Nigel Jemson has provisionally fixed attractive games at the New Manor Ground. Notts County are lined up for a Friday night match on July 18.

This is likely to be followed by a visit from Mansfield Town on Tuesday July 22 as the Stags prepare for life outside the Football League. Another relegated side Leicester City are due at Ilkeston on Wednesday July 30. But none of these fixtures is set in stone.

Last summer, the club received a double windfall with the visit of the Nottingham Forest first team squad and a senior side from Derby County, in their first public match after winning the Wembley play-off final to reach the Premiership at the expense of West Bromwich Albion.

But this year Forest are off to China instead of Ilkeston and the Rams are also otherwise engaged.