BURY FC have been handed another reprieve as a winding-up petition against the club was adjourned once again.

The town's football club appeared at the High Court this morning for the third time in as many months to face the petition over unpaid debts.

Ahead of the hearing, Bury North MP James Frith, fans trust Forever Bury and Bury Council leader Rishi Shori wrote to today’s judge pleading for yet more time in a desperate bid to save the historic club.

And to the relief of supporters, the club was given further breathing space in order to seek a company voluntary agreement (CVA).

It came after the club asked the Insolvency and Companies Court for a moratorium for six weeks, which Judge Mark Mullen, one of the country’s senior insolvency judges, agreed to.

A CVA is an agreement between an insolvent company and its creditors. A moratorium is a stay on legal proceedings.

The judge gave permission for any subsequent debts that may arise to be added to the winding up petition which is led by HM Revenue & Customs.

Last month a judge granted more time after hearing that there were three prospective buyers for the debt-laden club, which was promoted to League One back in April.

Creditor, Capital Bridge Finance, said to be owed £3.5million, had intended to ask for a 28 day adjournment of the winding up petition pending payment in full, the court was told.

“However the company this morning indicated it is asking for CVA proposals and a moratorium of six weeks,” said HMRC barrister Giselle McGann.

She added that there was almost £1 million in additional debt.

Bury FC Co Ltd’s barrister said it was his application for CVA proposals and a moratorium.

Bury has numerous creditors and a handful of barristers were in court this morning representing them.

HMRC was said at an earlier hearing to be owed £277,640.

Among other creditors identified today were Capital Bridge, SM Impact Ltd, Quantum Finance Ltd (owed £87,000), and former assistant manager Chris Brass (owed £89,000). Other sums mentioned as owing by various creditors included sums of £465,000 and £4,800.

Another name mentioned previously has been Stellar Football Ltd.

The letter to the judge from Mr Frith was not referred to at the brief hearing this morning, but Mr Frith has revealed details of it on Twitter.

His letter told the judge that there were “at least two live considerations to buy the club with both interested parties having signed NDAs [non-disclosure agreements] as part of this commitment to progress”.

He said the club was one of the oldest in English football and said the hope was that a buyer could be found for it.

His letter spoke of the whole community collectively wanting Bury FC “to survive this existential crisis”.

Players have not been paid for months by owner Steve Dale, who bought the club last December from Stewart Day, and other staff have received their wages late.