SUPPORT is mushrooming to save cash-starved Bury FC as half-time approaches in the club's desperate two-week battle for survival.

And yesterday (Thurs March 7), joint administrator Matthew Dunham said he was "extremely hopeful" the Shakers would ultimately avoid being placed into liquidation at a crucial High Court hearing a week today.

"Let's say I'm more hopeful now than I was last Friday."

But he tempered this note of optimism by stressing: "We need continued support from the fans this Saturday and during the three remaining home fixtures."

Mr Dunham and colleague Mike Hore of Manchester-based RSM Robson Rhodes were appointed joint administrators by the High Court a week ago.

This move effectively freezes any court action against the club, which included this week's scheduled High Court hearing over the repayment of a £1.3 million mortgage loan.

And if the joint administrators are to seek an extension next week, then up to £400,000 must be in place to enable Bury FC to fulfil its fixtures for the remainder of the season.

This week, the administrators placed a Press advertisement offering the club for sale. No asking price or deadline was given.

A number of interested parties have since been in contact, asking for more information.

But Mr Dunham stressed the major short-term priority was to raise sufficient cash to enable the Shakers to play their remaining matches.

"Phase one is to raise enough cash to get us through to the end of the season. We've a long way to go to get to the £400,000 target."

On the positive front, he hailed the response from fans as "absolutely fantastic". Gate receipts from Tuesday's well-attended home game alone could have raised as much as £40,000.

He went on: "There is great support both locally and nationally.

"At our office at Gigg Lane, the phones are ringing off the hook. And we need to keep that support going through Saturday's game and beyond.

"It's all very encouraging, but there's still a lot of work to be done. We need to see support on all fronts."

Paying tribute to the fantastic response of fans, the joint administrator declared: "I can't thank them enough for their unfailing response. Everyone is working hard to save the club, but we need continued support."

Whether an extension to the administration order can be obtained hinges on the key High Court hearing a week today.

A judge will be given details of monies raised and will also examine cash flow forecasts, along with other important documents.

Another vital factor is whether the Football League can be given a firm undertaking that Bury can complete its remaining fixtures.

Town hall leaders say there is nothing they can do to help the club financially.

Mr Mark Sanders, chief executive, met with the administrators on Wednesday (March 6). He said the council did not have the legal power to buy the club, nor could it take the risk of pumping in public money.

However, he is offering the council's services as a broker between the club and any prospective purchaser who might, for instance, want to build training facilities there for the wider community.

Mr Sanders explained that other clubs, such as Oldham, had been helped by their council in partnership with a private developer. But Bury did not have the time to set up such an "arms length" company, nor the money to put into it.

"We've looked at it every which way we can," he said. "But I'm afraid there's nothing we can do."