Wests Tigers need an urgent cash injection of $1 million to survive - something powerful stakeholder Wests Ashfield will only provide in exchange for control of the joint venture's board.

Fairfax Media can reveal the embattled club has come to the most critical crossroads of its turbulent history, with the Magpies side of the partnership no longer prepared to provide funding without greater control.

Troubled times: Tigers fans face an uncertain future. Credit:Steve Christo

While they steadfastly want to remain in partnership with cash-strapped partners Balmain, Wests have demanded an extra director on a reduced nine or seven-man board and the chairmanship for the next three years in exchange for new funding to remain solvent.

Wests Tigers chairman Mike Bailey - who is also chairman of Wests - said on Monday night: ''I don't know what Balmain's view is today, but we live in hope that good sense will prevail and the need will be recognised for the sort of money we're contributing and that the club can flourish. I would have to say, when you look back over this joint venture, there have been times when we have reached a similar situation. The difference this time is that we do have a financial problem that needs to be addressed. We have one side, potentially, to address that. The [ARL Commission] understands the situation and they are keen for us to address it. From our point of view, we need to bring this to a head and march on with a more secure financial base.''