Ilkeston are holding talks with Notts County owner Alan Hardy with a view to reviving the cash-strapped club.

Hardy, the chairman of Sky Bet League Two side County, is presently negotiating with liquidators after Ilkeston were wound up in the High Court last month.

Ilkeston, an English non-League club with strong Bermudian connections, owed £14,438 debt to Hire Intelligence, a firm that hires out office equipment, but it could not be saved.

Shaun Goater took over as manager of Ilkeston in February, with the club sitting second from bottom in the table, and could not stave off relegation to the Evo-Stik First Division North.

Players and staff were not paid since December as the club suffered huge financial problems.

Hardy has registered Ilkeston Town Football Club as a business at Companies House while he attempts to work out a deal.

He has already been given clearance by the Football League that he could own two clubs and there would be no conflict of interest.

It is understood that Hardy’s offer is the only credible one on the table but would need a licence from Erewash Borough Council because they effectively own the New Manor ground, where Ilkeston play.

“I’m in very detailed negotiations with the liquidator,” Hardy told the Nottingham Post.

“The club has been wound up but I understand we are the only show in town with a credible offer.

“There was talk of various consortiums that had put offers in, but we are the only ones who have really put our hands up to revive the club.

“We want football to return to Ilkeston.

“We have registered Ilkeston Town Football Club as a corporate entity. It only cost £50 and if the deal happens then we are ready.

“Any deal would need a licence from the council because they effectively own the ground. We are ready to go.”

Goater told The Royal Gazette in May that he was keen to remain at Ilkeston for the coming season — if the debt-ridden club still existed.

The former Manchester City striker joined a slew of Bermudians at the club, including Dale Eve, Danté Leverock, Jaylon Bather and Tevahn Tyrell,

Paul Scope, who owned the now-defunct Bermuda Hogges, forged ties between the island and Ilkeston in 2013, with several other Bermudian players enjoying stints at the Derbyshire side.

Nigel Harrop, the Ilkeston chairman, is a former Bermuda resident.