Bury's owner Steve Dale has been given until 11.59pm on Friday to either provide proof he can fund the club this season or hand it over to someone who can – fail to do so and the Shakers will be expelled from the EFL and go bust.

Here, PA answers the key questions around the League One club's plight.

When did the troubles start?

Dale has claimed he has received inquiries from four parties and it is understood that at least one of them has been in contact with the league, too. But time is running out and it now looks more likely than not that Bury will become the first club to be expelled from the league since Maidstone in 1992. That means League One will continue with 23 teams, with only three relegated to get the number back to 24 next season. Bury will be invited to rejoin the league pyramid next season, probably at the seventh or eighth tier, ending the club's 125-year EFL tenure. However, this would almost certainly be a new or 'phoenix' Bury, as Dale will have no choice but to liquidate.