AN MP has called on the football league to give Bury FC more time to organise a sale.

In a letter to the EFL chair, Debbie Jevons, James Frith called for an extension to Friday’s deadline to resolve the “huge issues” facing the club.

As things stand, the club has until the end of the week to provide evidence of proof of funds or arrange a sale to avoid expulsion from the league.

Mr Frith has accused Bury's owner, Steve Dale, of “exploiting the situation” by “promising to sell but not selling up”, and called on Ms Jevons not to make an example out of the Shakers.

The Bury North MP has also expressed concern about Dale’s failure to prove he has the funds to sustain the club and says he should have been “prevented ownership in the first instance”.

He called on the football league to give the club more time to save itself, referencing local efforts to organise the sale of the club.

"I am asking in the strongest and most humblest of terms that you and the EFL board grant the club and our wider community efforts for sale, a further extension from Friday 23rd August should no sale be achieved before then," he said.

"Suspending the expulsion order, in effect, will allow for suitable, credible and sustainable alternative ownership to be sought."

Mr Frith went on to appeal on the history of Bury FC.

He added: "Football is never just about the kick off or full time whistle. It enriches life and living in Bury. For many, it’s a livelihood too, provided they are honestly paid.

"Our club has been part of the consciousnesses and identity of our town for an almost unprecedented 134 years. It is part of our town’s cultural capital and history. All this is set to be destroyed but we can and must resist."

Within the letter, the MP also said he had been made aware of several “historic financial dealings” with the club that required further investigation.

These include lending agreements in which Bury has not received the full amount borrowed and questions over the Company Voluntary Agreement (CVA) process.

In closing, Mr Frith said: “So I urge you to ensure Bury is not sacrificed on the altar of example nor can it be a sleepwalking victim of the wider issue where an absence of timely due diligence and toxic intent means the loss of a club that matters so dearly to so many."

His argument was set to be discussed by the EFL at a meeting on Wednesday.