Bury owner Steve Dale today made an extraordinary late plea for the public to donate £2.7million by midnight to save them from being thrown out of the Football League.
The 134-year-old club face that fate if Dale fails to provide proof he can pay off their debts or sell to someone who can.
As the clock ticked down to Friday night's 11:59pm deadline, Dale said: “Fans, anyone out there who will pledge money, come to us.
"If they come to us and say we will put £100 in, £1,000 in, if the big players put in £100,000, £500,000, whatever it is, we want it pledged to the company.
"We need a pledge of £2.7m plus to save Bury.”
The club could be given the weekend to conclude a takeover deal if Dale agrees one before Friday night's deadline, but the EFL have refused to grant them any longer and hopes of a new solution were diminishing this morning.
Dale has refused to sell the League One side he bought for £1 in 2018 and there was no sign on Thursday night of him producing the proof of funds the EFL have ordered or lowering his price for the club.
The EFL said on Friday morning: “The EFL board recognises the anger and frustration felt by all at the prospect of losing a club with such history and heritage."
