Rotherham United have been the subject of a number of last-ditch rescue bids from investors hoping to take over the League Two crisis club.
Administrator Jeremy Bleazard had warned the club they faced liquidation as they owed hundreds of thousands of pounds to the Inland Revenue.
But, ahead of a 1700 BST deadline, the club have revealed more than one bid.
And BBC Sheffield can confirm that one of the offers came from ex-directors Dino Maccio and Alan Cartlege.
The consortium are believed to have secured the backing of the owners of the club's Millmoor ground, the Booth Family.
Rotherham United's chief operating officer Paul Douglas has told Radio Sheffield:
"As I understand it he (administrator Jeremy Bleazard) will look at those bids.
"And he will decide upon which will be his preferred bid based on criteria such as the size of the bid.
"Indeed that may be the only criteria, but it may be other things such as the plan and/or the strategy that the individuals have set out.
I am very encouraged that a number of bids have come in. I hope to begin formal discussions with a preferred bidder early next week
Rotherham United administrator Jeremy Bleazard
"Again, as I understand it, it will be early next week when he'll be in a position to make some sort of announcement."
In a statement admistrator Bleazard said: "I am very encouraged that a number of bids have come in and I will spend the next couple of days considering each one on its merits. I hope to begin formal discussions with a `preferred' bidder early next week."
Bleazard went on to confirm that the bids do not at this stage commit any of the prospective buyers to begin funding the club and that it is vital that supporters get behind the various fund-raising efforts, not to mention go along to Saturday's home game against Dagenham & Redbridge.
"Though this is good news," he said, "our cash flow still does not allow me to pay the full amount of the players or staff wages.
"I cannot stress enough how important our need for funds still is and hope that everyone does not simply assume that everything will now be all right."
The club received a 10-point penalty in March when they entered administration for the second time in three seasons.
Millers manager Mark Robins told BBC Radio Sheffield: "A lot of people care deeply about this club.
"We've got to get things sorted out and resolved as quickly as possible."
Rotherham said they owed the money to the Inland Revenue because of falling attendances, as well as a smaller than expected insurance claim for summer flood damage.
The club had previously been saved from liquidation in the summer of 2006 when creditors backed a Company Voluntary Agreement.
They were also then hit with a 10-point penalty, which eventually cost them their League One status when they were relegated last season.
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