BURY FC are backing Football League threats of court action against ITV Digital if they refuse to pay up their £315million contract in a move which could kill off the 117-year-old club writes Chris Hall

Only £130million of the three-year deal, which entitles the subscription service to exclusively screen Nationwide League matches, has been paid out so far.

But now the channel look set to cut their remaining payment to just £50million or possibly even go into liquidation to escape the contract.

That would mean tearing around £300,000 from Bury's already water tight budget and deliver a near fatal blow to their hopes of keeping creditors at bay.

The club are desperately trying to raise £400,000 by the end of the season or face going into liquidation themselves to pay off a £1.3million mortgage repayment.

"To lose this money would be a real kick in the teeth after all the hard work we've put in to save this club," said commercial manager Peter Young.

"This money is obviously vital to us. Everyone's battling hard to raise funds to save the club, so to have this money taken away would be disastrous.

"We hope it doesn't come to court action but, if it did, we would have to back the League. In racing terms, Bury has just past Canal Turn but we are heading for Beecher's Brook!"