ILKESTON Town have been expelled from the Blue Square North Division.

Members of the Football Conference board voted to expunge all of the club's results this season at a meeting last night.

The club ceased trading earlier this week after being wound up at the High Court over an unpaid bill to HM Revenue and Customs.

Expressions of interest have been made from a number of groups, including some supporters, over starting a new club.

But it won't be allowed to take Ilkeston Town's place in the Conference North Division.

Liquidator Dean Nelson, who is looking after the club's assets, said the best hope was for it to start two divisions lower down.

"It will be down to the Football Conference to decide on where they will begin from," he said.

Mr Nelson said he was looking for expressions of interest in taking over the lease of the ground by September 24.

People interested are also being advised to contact the Football Conference within the next three weeks.

Once Mr Nelson's deadline has passed, he will send details about the club to all interested parties, who will then be able to make an offer.

Mr Nelson will decide on which offer to accept, based on what is best for the club's creditors.

At a meeting on Wednesday, a group of fans decided to form a supporters' community club with a view to making representations to own and run the club themselves.

Lee Francis, 26, from Ilkeston, attended the meeting.

He said: "There was more than 100 Ilkeston fans there, along with supporters from Scarborough, Chester and other clubs.

"We've got 50 to 60 names of those who want to get involved with the bid to buy the club."

Robins manager Kevin Wilson said he was keen to keep working with the club's academy players. He said: "It's sad. There's a lot of fans who have not got a team. Hopefully, with the academy, the club can rise from the ashes.

"I've got a list of Championship and League One clubs whose academy teams will play friendlies. We will announce fixtures in the next few days."