A GROUP of four life vice-presidents are understood to have saved Bashley from folding after it was today announced that the club would compete in the Southern League next season.

Chairman Mike Cranidge declared that the club's future had been secured, despite members passing a resolution to permanently close the gates at the end of the season “unless adequate funding was forthcoming and executive vacancies filled” at an extraordinary general meeting (EGM) two weeks ago.

It is thought that Ray Pinney, chairman during Bashley's successful stint under former manager Steve Riley, could team up with Trevor Adams, Pat Bowering and June Breckon in order to save the 67-year-old outfit from extinction.

Cranidge politely declined to identify the “two or three” members set to join Bashley's executive or the “five or six members” who have pledged funds to keep the club going just days after a three-strong consortium, headed by former AFC Totton official Nick Ferguson, withdrew their interest.

An official statement released by Cranidge read: “Following the provision of an affordable budget for 2014-15, a process is now underway to fill vacant executive positions from within the club and thanks to the success of our money-raising activities, funding is now in place.

“As the criteria of the resolution passed at the recent in EGM are now being met, I am delighted to inform you that Bashley FC will continue to function as a football club and as a member of the Southern League.”

Speaking to the Daily Echo, Cranidge added: “The budget will be based on income, one or two good commercial interests and we also have members who are willing to put in small but regular amounts to help us along.”