Representatives face a fight to save the club's senior status next week - with Monday providing an opportunity to appeal the recent decision by the Irish Football Association executive committee to reject Portadown's application for next season's 12-team Invitational League.
Last week's announcement rocked fans and left the future of the club under a cloud of uncertainty, with the risk of time in the domestic game's second tier a potentially-disastrous prospect.
Failure to submit an application form for acceptance into the proposed IFA Premiership within the deadline has led to a black mark against the club's name. Now the countdown is on for the chance to protect the Ports' position.
Club officials recently delivered a special message to all supporters offering an apology for the lack of information regarding the deadline error, with an appeal for patience and an understanding that further information cannot be released until the process has been exhausted.
With affairs in a state of limbo ahead of Monday's meeting, numerous rumours have been circulating offering a bleak outcome.
A legal challenge appears to be Portadown's only option if next week's appeal proves unsuccessful - although victory for the Shamrock Park-based outfit could open the door to court action by another side.
The final rankings for next season's revamped top flight were expected yesterday (Thursday) but it is understood that any announcement has been put on hold until after Portadown's appeal.
Midweek reports that Portadown have missed the window for the Premier Intermediate League - the restructured second tier - appear unfounded, with the May 31 deadline for announcing an interest in joining the division still standing.
Confusion over the issue of promotion and relegation remains rife, with some suggestion of a freeze to allow a period of adjustment but other views describing this policy as in breach of UEFA guidelines.
Although progress has continued on Portadown's ambitious ground redevelopment plans, other areas of club affairs would appear on hold - not least the ability of manager, Ronnie McFall, to kick off his highly-anticipated rebuilding programme.
Financial restrictions created by a drop out of the senior division would, of course, have a negative impact on next season's spreadsheet but until the club's status can be confirmed it will prove practically impossible to turn to on-field matters.
Portadown's situation is proving THE major talking point in Irish League circles - with some sympathetic and others enthusiastic over the prospect of the club's fall from grace.
Those connected to Shamrock Park will be hoping for an end to the whispering by Monday night and the chance to turn thoughts to the future.
Whatever that future may hold...