NEWPORT County AFC manager Michael Flynn believes Bury should start again at the lowest step in the non-league pyramid and follow the Exiles’ example in returning to the Football League on merit.
A proposal for Bury to be readmitted to League Two next season, following their expulsion from the EFL in August due to financial problems, was rejected last month.
And Bury North MP James Frith is now lobbying for the Shakers to start again in the National League or National League North next August – even if the club is liquidated.
A prospective buyer for the club ended their interest on Monday, leaving Bury on the brink.
They have been granted a 14-day extension after a winding-up petition brought by HM Revenue & Customs was adjourned in the High Court on Wednesday.
A group of Bury supporters have already been working on plans to form a phoenix club and Frith says he held positive talks with the FA last week to discuss possible admission into the National League system, the fifth and sixth tiers of English football.
Speaking to BBC Radio Manchester on Tuesday, the MP said: "In the event that the club is liquidated, we have to carry on with the plan, which is an application to the National League system with a new incarnation of Bury Football Club.
“From my conversations with the FA, that can include what they call mitigation, which would mean our application would be considered alongside the size and heritage of our club.
“While liquidation would ordinarily mean entry to the lowest step in the pyramid, there is an outside chance with Bury's circumstances – and this would be featured in any application we would make – being returned to an appropriate level within the National League system.”
But, having seen his hometown club forced to start again at the bottom of the pile when they went to the wall in 1989, Flynn doesn’t believe there should be special treatment for Bury.
“I think it was the right decision,” said the Exiles boss after the Shakers’ bid to return to League Two was thrown out.
“It would have opened up a whole can of worms if they were allowed back in.
“You look at the clubs who have been expelled, or gone out for financial reasons, like us, Maidstone, Aldershot, Accrington Stanley.
“There was no second chance there and I’d find it really hard if they were allowed back in.
“Obviously, it’s devastating for the supporters and I really feel for them and the players who worked so hard to get them promoted.
“It’s such a sad situation and the EFL has got to do all it can to make sure this never happens again.”
The Exiles started in the Hellenic League Premier in August 1989 following relegation from the Football League the year before and their expulsion from the Conference for failing to fulfil their fixtures in February 1989.
They finally returned to League Two in 2013 and Flynn says County’s journey can provide inspiration for Bury.
“Once the dust has settled, they'll reform and they’ll still have a good fan-base,” he said.
“It’s a long slog, but if they have the belief and the right people involved then they’ll be back in the Football League at some point.”
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