Lewes need to find £30,000 in a week or the club could fold.

The Rooks face a winding-up petition in the High Court next Wednesday over an unpaid debt to HM Revenue and Customs of £110,000.

An appeal to HMRC to repay the debt in staged payments has been turned down.

The club have £30,000 in place, which has come from a private donor, to make as a down payment, which they believe will be looked on kindly by the judge.

However, it has now become clear that this money is only available if a similar sum can be raised in individual pledges.

If the original donation is withdrawn because no other money comes forward, Lewes have no case to take to the High Court.

They would then either be wound-up or they could decide to go into administration before Wednesday’s hearing.

A statement released by the club, having been agreed by managing director Martin Elliott, read: “Indications are that the HMRC might not oppose a staged repayment plan if the judge sees that Lewes FC has funds and, furthermore, can demonstrate a serious intention to manage their way through the debt.

“Lewes FC has recently been pledged £30,000 from a private donor – an exceptionally generous gesture for which the club is extremely grateful – providing a similar sum can be raised from other individual pledges before September 2.

“The club’s legal advisors believe that a down payment of £30,000, with another similar sum pledge by supporters and local businesses – which will only be used if a repayment plan is accepted by HMRC – is an indication that the club intends to meet debt repayments in full, given an appropriate time to do so.

“This will also be supported by the club’s budget forecast for the year.”

Having cut costs in many areas, Lewes believe they can comfortably meet monthly repayments over a ten-month period but it now appears there is a desperate need for confirmed pledges rather than positive budget forecasts.

Elliott has been having meetings on a daily basis and yesterday spent two hours with lawyers, who held subsequent talks with HMRC.

The club have been appealing for new investors to come forward for about 18 months and it is believed there are some interested parties who could still help the club out.

Lewes are up to date with all their tax payments for the current financial year but the sum of debt has risen to £110,000 because the winding-up matter is moving into a new month.

Elliott has been an opponent of administration in the past, although the club concede this remains an option.

The statement read: “Going into administration can’t been ruled out as a last resort but this might also mean that the club will not be able to meet existing debts in full, will incur the additional cost of the administrators, could still be wound up if the administrator cannot find a buyer and would trigger a ten-point deduction in Blue Square south.

“The high cost of getting to the Blue Square premier and the expense of operating in that league has been compounded by the current economic situation.

“A lot of people have come together over the last six months in a bid to help the club through its current crisis and to ensure that it operates prudently in future.

“The club is asking for wider help in the hope that everyone will pull together over the next week in order to ensure the current financial problems are resolved and the club can look forward to a secure future.”

Anyone interested in helping the club has been asked to either make a donation, offer money as an interest-free loan or buy shares in the club. They are asked to call Elliott (07775 732400) or Steve Ibbitson (07704 089509) in confidence to discuss the matter further.