THE ongoing crisis at the Newcastle Jesters Ice Hockey Club appears to have deepened after a fourth set of wages failed to appear on time.

While three months' wages, estimated at £150,000, is still owed to last season's roster, payment to nine players and three members of staff currently on the payroll of owners Fablon Investments has not arrived.

The latest wages were due to arrive on Friday, and the Ice Hockey Superleague (ISL) and the Ice Hockey Players Association (IHPA) have been informed.

The lack of payment has apparently been due to a problem with a courier, although when the February wages failed to arrive, starting the saga, similar excuses were reportedly made to staff.

Director of hockey Glenn Mulvenna is among the unpaid from last season and this, but has been striving to assemble a squad for this season, which was due to start a month ago.

But the Jesters have been unable to take to the ice because of a league-imposed ban on registering players until the original set of wages was paid.

Graham Gutteridge, Fablon's chief executive, last month said the team would not take the ice until October and was last week issued an ultimatum of "pay up or face the consequences" by the league.

And the latest move will test Mulvenna's patience even further and it is understood he would not be without other options should he decide enough is enough.

Fans have been praising his patience and efforts to rebuild the squad despite himself being in the centre of the pay dispute with the money he is owed.

Although The Northern Echo has been unable to speak to Mr Gutteridge, it is understood this latest delay has been blamed on a problem with a courier and photocopies of the wages have been sent to Tyneside to prove the cheques have been written.