THE North West Counties League say there are considering an application from a Bury phoenix club.

The group behind a new Shakers outfit hoping to emerge in non-league next season has submitted a proposal under the name Bury AFC.

The NWCL, the ninth and 10th tiers of the English football pyramid, now have to consider whether they will support the application ahead of a Football Association deadline at the start of February, with fans looking to ensure there is football in the town next season after expulsion from the Football League.  

The proposal includes details around financing and groundsharing and is separate to any plans by potential investor Robert Benwell who last week outlined his vision for football at Gigg Lane.

“The North West Counties Football League on Tuesday received an application from a newly formed club, Bury AFC, for membership of the league for season 2020/21,” a statement read.

“The application has been received as per the regulations of the National League System. The league will be working with the club, the FA and other interested parties in progressing the application. At this stage, we are reviewing the application and supporting documents.

“The league's board of directors will meet to discuss the application and whether, as this is an application from a newly formed club, to support the application ahead of the FA deadline of 1st February 2020.”

The Shakers are back in the High Court on Wednesday for the latest hearing relating to the winding-up petition brought by HMRC.

Benwell is then set to face supporters at an open meeting in the Elizabethan Suite at Bury Town Hall on Thursday night from 7pm.