BURY FC supporters’ trust Forever Bury insist they are continuing to work night and day to bring football back to Gigg Lane.

The group’s first public statement for several months comes amid reports Steve Dale is still in negotiations with the FA about the Shakers taking their place in the National League system next season.

It is believed the authorities are still waiting for more information from Dale before deciding if Bury meet the criteria for entry into the top two tiers of non-league.

Forever Bury say their aims remain the same as ever, their top priority being finding a buyer to take over following the club’s expulsion from the EFL last August.

Following a heated public meeting last December they also backed entrepreneur Robert Benwell as an alternative solution for the future of the two-time FA Cup winners, his plans involving buying Gigg Lane should the club be liquidated.

On Bury AFC, the new club that will take its place in the North West Counties League next season, Forever Bury’s statement said: “We still back this as our third option.”

The address to supporters added: “On April 25, 2019, Steve Dale reluctantly put Bury Football Club up for sale.

“Several interested parties have spoken to Steve Dale direct and some to Forever Bury.

“The information requested by interested parties that had been in touch with Steve Dale was not forthcoming and these various attempts to buy our beloved club have so far not been successful.

“Over the past 20 months, the board of Forever Bury have spent mainly seven days a week, hours of phone calls and emails trying to work through the chancers and undertake due diligence on anyone new coming into the club to work with the supporters and become an integral part of the community.

“From the outset we have stated that our aims are to achieve preserving Bury Football Club’s 135-year history and football at Gigg Lane.

“We want to reiterate that we are continually monitoring the situation and working to achieve this goal.

“Finally as we strive to achieve our goals we would like to remind our members that Forever Bury have the Asset of Community Value on Gigg Lane.

“Should Bury Football Club Ltd enter administration or liquidation, Forever Bury will need to remain in existence to aim to secure Gigg Lane for the future of football in the town.”

According to the BBC, news on Bury’s National League application could come this week with their three play-off finals taking place at the weekend.

There is a vacancy in the structure but that looks more than likely to be in the National League South with Lancashire clubs Chorley and AFC Fylde being relegated from the top tier.