A WINDING-up petition against Bury FC has been adjourned after it was revealed that there were three prospective parties interested in buying the club.

At a High Court hearing in London today, a top insolvency judge adjourned the case against the club to allow owner Steve Dale more time to sell it and pay off creditors, including the tax man.

A barrister representing the club told Judge Prentis that the three potential purchasers needed at least a month more as any purchase would have to be approved by the English Football League.

The club is scheduled to appear in court again on June 19.

At a hearing last month, a judge adjourned a petition to wind-up the club up until today after being told terms had been agreed to pay an undisclosed “historic debt” owed to former assistant manager Chris Brass.

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

The club's barrister told the court this morning that, once the club had been sold, all creditors would “be paid in full”.

The Shakers recent promotion to League One meant that the club is expected to make more money next year, making it “more attractive” to a purchaser, he said.

Five other supporting creditors, plus HMRC which is owed £277,640.77 in unpaid tax – the largest debt – were all represented at today’s hearing. The others include the French bank, BNP Paribas, which is owed just over £42,000.

After being told that none of the creditors opposed the request for an adjournment, the judge said he would give the club until 19 June to pay or seek alternative arrangements.

“It seems to me that this is wholly appropriate, seeing as there is a chance to save this historic club,” he said.

If the move to wind up the company up had succeeded today its affairs would effectively have been handed over to an Official Receiver.

His job would then have been to do his best to ensure that debts are paid off by selling any assets available and then bringing business to a close.