Bury’s second game of the season at Accrington Stanley has been suspended by the EFL.  

Having not been given the go-ahead to start the season at home to MK Dons on Saturday the Shakers, in the midst of a financial crisis, have now not been given permission to play their next scheduled game of the League One campaign on August 10.

The league are looking for reassurances from owner Steve Dale that having agreed a company voluntary agreement to reduce debts, the club has the funds in place to cover those and finance the 2019-20 season.

The EFL say progress has been made but not enough for them to sanction the game at Stanley a week on Saturday.

“The EFL Board has today received an update of the position in respect of ongoing matters at Bury,” the league said in a statement released on Friday evening.

“Following a lengthy discussion the EFL board agreed that progress had been made with regard to the outstanding evidence requested by the league.

“However, the information provided is still not enough to demonstrate that Bury have the ability to immediately settle all football debts, meet the obligations to unsecured creditors and ensure the club has the appropriate financial resources for the 2019/20 season.

“As a result the board has regrettably determined that Stanley’s Sky Bet League One fixture with Bury, scheduled to take place on Saturday 10th August, will be suspended under the provision of EFL Regulation 28.2.

“In accordance with EFL Regulations, Stanley were consulted on the matter prior to the decision being finalised.

“The EFL acknowledges this remains a difficult and challenging period for Bury, their players and supporters; and will continue to work with the ownership at the club as it looks to resolve all outstanding matters.

“This comes after Bury’s opening game with Milton Keynes Dons was also suspended on Monday 29th July.

“The game will now be played at a later date that is mutually agreed by both sides.”

Dale, who bought Bury for £1 in December, issued a furious response for the second time in a week.

On this occasion he insisted that he had provided all the evidence the EFL required, including for a line of credit to the tune of £1.65 million.

Dale also said that players ready to sign for the club will leave, only a handful remaining on contract after promotion from League Two last season.

“I today have seen the biggest injustice I have ever seen,” his statement read.

“Again after submitting all that was asked from the EFL from our lawyer, we got a call late tonight saying they are postponing our fixture with Accrington Stanley.

“We were just waiting for them to say all is good so we can sign our players who 100% want to play for Bury and have waited patiently.

“The EFL are aware these players will have to sign elsewhere and seem to be dragging this out until we lose them as nobody expected us to save Bury never mind get players signing of the calibre we have so clearly there is an agenda here.”

The Shakers' financial sorrows lifted slightly on Wednesday when the High Court dismissed a winding-up petition from HM Revenue and Customs for £1million in unpaid taxes.

The council’s Safety Advisory Ground have also decreed that Gigg Lane is fit to host games and signed off the necessary safety certificate.