Bury Football Club was proud to be represented in Parliament this week as football supporters from across the country came together to celebrate the work clubs and supporters carry out in their communities.
Tina Newall, Chair of the Football Supporters’ Society of Bury, and Casey Lynchey, Head of Operations & Community attended the ‘Beyond Matchdays: Celebrating Supporters in the Community’ event on Tuesday, hosted by the All Party Parliamentary Group for Football Supporters and the Football Supporters’ Association.
Tina, who was only one of three speakers, alongside Nick Clarke (Citizens Trust – MCFC) & Hannah Kumari. (Fans for Diversity- FSA), delivered a speech at the event, which can be read in full below:
The event brought together MPs, the Sports Minister Stephanie Peacock, supporter organisations and representatives from clubs across the football pyramid, from non-league to the Premier League.
Bury was among a number of fan-owned clubs represented at the event, alongside Darlington, Dunstable, Newport County and Scarborough Athletic.
The event focused on the vital role football clubs and supporters play beyond the matchday, with attendees sharing examples of community work covering mental health, food poverty, inclusion, youth development and the use of football facilities for wider community benefit.
Bury’s journey was a key part of the discussion, with Tina speech about the work undertaken by supporters to rebuild the club over the past five years.
The club’s growing community operation was also highlighted, including the year-round use of the 3G pitch, grassroots and recreational football, Sporting Memories, Andy’s Man Club, education and employment opportunities, Baby Ballers, disability and walking football, and school holiday football camps.
For us, the event was an opportunity to showcase what can be achieved when supporters are placed at the heart of a football club and when a club’s role extends far beyond what happens on the pitch.
It was also a chance to share ideas and experiences with supporter organisations from across the game, highlighting the different ways football continues to support and strengthen communities across the country.
The event provided a fitting platform to reflect on how far football in Bury has come since 2019.
Once a club whose future was uncertain, Bury is now a growing, fan-owned football club with a thriving community operation and ambitions to continue building for future generations.
The phrase “Look what happened to Bury” will always form part of our history.
But increasingly, there is a new phrase worth celebrating:
“Look what’s happening at Bury.”