BURY’S fight for survival has led to under-fire owner Steve Dale asking for fans to pledge money just hours before the Shakers could be thrown out of the Football League.

The Gigg Lane club have until 11.59pm to satisfy the EFL of their financial stability going forwards or face the potential of 134 years of history coming to an end.

Dale, under pressure to sell the club he bought for £1 from Stewart Day last December, claims there are interested bidders in the mix.

But on Friday morning he appeared on talkSPORT with a desperate plea to supporters and the wider community saying £2.7 million was needed to preserve the future of the two-time FA Cup winners.  

“Fans, anyone out there who will pledge money come to us,” he told presenter Jim White.

“If they come to us and say we’ll 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.

“If the company, Bury Football Club, needs the money and needs to use it, they’ll put up shares and pay 2.5% interest on that money.

“We don’t need it, let me say that, unless the EFL pull another stroke.

“So what we’re looking to do now is go out there and say to local businesses – we’ve got massive firms in our areas, we’ve got the Boohoo boys, Together Finance, the old card guy Ron Wood, we’re got loads of people within Bury who will maybe look at it and think, ‘well it’s short change out of my pocket, I’ll pledge some money’.

“If we take any money off someone we’ll pay interest on it and we will secure it on shares in the club.

“Let me make this clear, we’re not looking for charity here, because we don’t need it. But the EFL want it.

“The EFL have made this ridiculous claim that we need this money, but we’re saying we don’t!”

The EFL issued a statement early on Friday morning making it clear they would strive to find a solution, but once again warned of the possible consequences come midnight.

“The EFL will continue to provide all support available to the current ownership of Bury FC in order to find a resolution to the ongoing issues ahead of the Notice of Withdrawal deadline, which is 11.59 PM on Friday 23 August,” it read.

“The EFL Board recognises the anger and frustration felt by all at the prospect of losing a club with such history and heritage. However, the Board will continue to work tirelessly to achieve a solution, whether by the current ownership providing the required outstanding financial information, or by a change of control being completed with new owners meeting the EFL’s requirements.

“If a solution is not found ahead of the deadline, the club must transfer its share back to the League. If it doesn’t, the EFL Board can authorise the necessary share transfer on behalf of Bury FC which shall be legally binding on all parties

“Ultimately, either course of action will mean the club is no longer a member of the EFL.”