League Two side Accrington Stanley are hopeful of avoiding a High Court date later this month which could have seen them face closure.

The club were given eight weeks to pay back £308,000 in unpaid taxes to HM Revenue & Customs on 2 September.

Chief executive Rob Heys told BBC Radio Lancashire: "We are working very hard to avoid that. It's important over the next day or so all the money comes in.

"We're well on track to raise £150,000 through fundraising efforts."

"There is more money to come from directors which will bring in £100,000.

They've both been absolutely fantastic. There is no sense of being patronising Rob Heys on Burnley and Blackburn

"That leaves £50,000 which we've got one or two things in place with a couple of local people who have offered to lend us the money albeit very short term.

"It's really important now to satisfy the revenue, draw a line under it and concentrate on the future."

Accrington have staged friendly matches against their Premier League neighbours Burnley and Blackburn Rovers in recent weeks, which have contributed to reaching £150,000 in fundraising.

Heys said: "They've both been absolutely fantastic. There is no sense of being patronising.

"They recognise that we are the other professional football club in between them in east Lancashire and they are quite happy to get involved and help out.

"That's come from the managers, the people behind the scenes and the supporters as well."

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