Ilkeston Town takeover bids considered

The council said it wanted the club's future to be secure

Four bids to take over the running of a Derbyshire football club are being considered.

Ilkeston Town was issued with a winding up order in September because it owed £50,000 in unpaid tax.

The bids for the Blue Square North club will be discussed by the liquidator and Erewash Borough Council, which owns the lease on the ground, later.

The council said they wanted to secure a long-term future for the team, which meant a sustainable business plan.

Councillor Mike Wallis, head of leisure at the borough council, said: "The last thing we need is for this to be happening again in two or three years time, that would be an absolute disaster.

"So we have to look very carefully at what bidders are offering, what their plans are for the future of the club."

He added: "They have got to come up with a certain amount of money to guarantee the future of the club."

Mr Wallis said he hoped the successful bidder would be announced by 12 November.