Newly-promoted Bury FC owe the taxman nearly £1m, it has been revealed as discussions over a takeover continue.
Fans breathed a sigh of relief on Wednesday as a bid by tax officials to wind up the League One club was adjourned.
The amounts to owed to various creditors were detailed during the hearing at the High Court in London.
Lawyers representing HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) said Bury FC now owes 'almost £1m'.
The court heard the club has a number of other debts and creditors.
Judge Mark Mullen, who oversaw the hearing, the latest round of litigation in the Insolvency and Companies Court, made no decision on the winding-up application.
He said the case would be reconsidered in six weeks.
Lawyers representing the club had, at a hearing in May, said prospective buyers were interested and the debts could be paid off.
One of the town's MP's said in a letter to the judge ahead of today's hearing that two unnamed parties were interested in taking over two times FA Cup winners, formed back 1885 .
The letter, which was not referred to in court, but which Bury North MP James Frith shared on Twitter, said: "I am aware of 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.
""I have liaised in my capacity as MP with one who approached me and with those in contact with the other.
"This hop of a buyer for the club, one of the oldest in English football, has emerged following the course of action made possible by the court's previous judgement to adjourn.
"In short, I believe there is a reasonable prospect of change in ownership should you grant further time on this matter."
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Bury secured promotion from League Two with a 1-1 draw away to Tranmere at the end of April.
However the players released a joint statement after the last hearing claiming they had gone without wages for 12 weeks and urging owner Steve Dale to sell before the club is brought 'to its knees'.
Manager Ryan Lowe and coach Steven Schumacher have since left take over at Plymouth Argyle and vice-captain Nicky Adams also left for Northampton Town.
Owner Mr Dale, who revealed he had previously received treatment for leukaemia, said in April he had found the club's finances were 'significantly worse' than he believed before his takeover.
