BURY'S board of directors are considering every option to save the Shakers from extinction including putting the club up for sale and even the possibility of it going back into administration.

The club's future remains uncertain despite last week's sales of David Nugent and Danny Swailes. Fundraiser-in-chief Neville Neville hopes to accumulate '70,000 in the next couple of months from a succession of money-making ventures.

But he admits the prospects for survival are bleak unless pleas for leniency to the Inland Revenue meet a favourable response later this week.

And Neville says the Gigg Lane doors might already have closed for the final time but for help from the Professional Footballers' Association.

'The PFA have been brilliant with us and we've now got to hope the Inland Revenue accept our proposals,' he said.
said Neville.

'If not, then by the time we get to mid-April, things will be desperate. Going back into administration is not an option. But it might be an option if it means sustaining the football club.

'We might end up in the Conference but at least there would still be a football club in Bury.

Serious

'We will also be advertising the club is for sale, though we haven't got the money to advertise,' he added with a wry smile.

'But, really, it's never not been up for sale in recent years and we will consider all serious offers from anyone who think they can take the club forward.'

Bury are seventh from bottom of League Two, 11 points clear of the relegation zone. Going into administration would bring the loss of 10 points leaving Graham Barrow's team perilously close to Cambridge and Kidderminster.

'People must realise how serious this situation is,' added Neville. 'Selling Danny Swailes has made me feel a little easier though we hadn't intended to let him go. But it only gives us breathing space for a couple of weeks.'

Bury owe '10,000 a month as part of their CVA arrangement with most of it going to fend off the Inland Revenue.

The PFA are also owed money but they have agreed to accept reduced payments.

'If we could only get another 1,000 paying spectators at each home game, it would make such a difference,' Neville said.

'And this time we've got to keep the club alive ourselves. We can't expect the national coverage we got last time because there are many other clubs in the same boat.'