THE English Football League has said it is "extremely concerned about the developing situation" at Bury FC.

The Shakers survived a winding-up petition at London’s High Court yesterday after a judge adjourned the order against the club until 15 May after being told terms had been agreed to pay an undisclosed “historic debt” owed to former assistant manager Chris Brass.

Meanwhile, it is understood that staff and players at the club have still not been paid their March wages.

Bury North MP James Frith and Bury Council have both expressed concern about the club's current financial predicament, with both having written to Steve Dale to seek assurances.

In a statement published this afternoon, the EFL said: "The board is extremely concerned about the developing situation at Bury and has asked the Executive to provide whatever practical assistance it can to the club."

Yesterday, the club's chairman Steve Dale, who took over back in December, assured the club's fans that he was the man to save the club.

However, he added that “major changes” would be needed in order to do so.

He also said the reason staff were not paid their March wages on time was funds being frozen in a bank account.

At yesterday's hearing at the Insolvency`and Companies Court, the League Two club’s barrister Nathan Webb, told Judge Sally Barber that proposal terms had been agreed to pay off the debt, and asked for five weeks for full payment to be made.

Mr Webb explained where the money was coming from to pay Mr Brass’s outstanding debt.

He said: “The source of the payment is payment from the English Football League and from season ticket sales.

He continued: “My instructions are that the petitioning creditor will be paid in five weeks but if the company continues to trade it will generate revenue which can pay other creditors.”

Five other supporting creditors, plus HM Revenue and Customs which is owed £277,640.77 in unpaid tax – the largest debt – were all represented at the hearing.

Who and which companies they were was not revealed. But, after a question from the judge, it appeared that no one was owed more than the sum outstanding to the tax authority.

At a previous court hearing two supporting creditors were identified as SM Impact Ltd and Stellar Football Ltd. Between them they were owed over £27,000.

In light of the payment agreement with Brass and in anticipation of his winding up petition being dismissed, HMRC applied to be substituted as petitioner, in effect, taking over the winding up proceedings from Mr Brass.

The case will go back before the court on 15 May once the legal paperwork has taken place.

The supporting creditors will have to choose whether they now line up behind HMRC’s application.

Mr Webb, for Bury FC Co Ltd, had asked the judge to put off HMRC’s substitution until after Mr Brass, of Barrowford, Nelson, had received payment and his petition was dismissed, in five weeks’ time.

But Judge Barber disagreed, saying, there was no point in delaying making the substitution order.

Bury FC have been approached for comment.