This week, we sat down with CEO Neil Sears to answer fans questions that have been sent to the club in the last couple of weeks.
Each question received, has been listed below.
The full Q&A video will be published early next week.
What happened to the speaker system promised in the south stand with interviews on pitch with the players pre-match?
The decision to close the main stand for the Burscough FA Vase game has sparked some discussion. Can you offer insight into the cost savings made through stewarding, catering etc?
Is any work going on to try and relax the ground regulations and reduce the stewarding requirements in future?
What are we doing as a club to protect volunteers and fans from being targeted on social media and at matches by those focused on causing a divide at the club?
Is it anticipated that some of the stands will be renamed in due course? Would that be purely a commercial decision taken by the Board (through sponsorship)?
Is there any reason why the Cemetery End Stand could not be renamed (due to its connection with the main ground benefactor)?
Would the Lenny Johnrose stand be exempt from the process in deference to the wishes of the fans?
How much sponsorship has been generated so far for 2024/25 season?
In regards to the Bury FC golf day, who’s decision was it to invite John McGinlay?
Were any of the Bury supporting board members consulted as to whether inviting such a controversial figure was a good idea?
How does Neil feel about the online feeling that he’s merely a puppet for Mr Young?
Have you considered resigning?
Please could you confirm the names, roles and hours of all paid members of staff?
On an interview with some podcasters (Inside the rebirth of Bury FC) you say you have good communication with all stakeholders, including benefactors. Could you give details of any meetings with them and potential solutions regarding them partnering as intended?
Would the club ever be interested in operating a concessions or 19-21 year old rate?
Why has the club failed to attract a single match sponsor so far this season?
How did the caterers get the contract, what stood out about them?
Why was the new contract with the catering company for as long as 6 years? What clauses are in place to protect us if there are any performance issues?
Where are we up to with sponsors / board sponsors?
I would like to know how many, if any, of the players are under contract. i.e., not free to leave at 7 days’ notice.
The position of the video camera would it not be better on the gantry in the south stand higher up looks much better on YouTube than lower down like it is in the Main Stand.
Why does it take so long to update the website? ie as of composing this email Bury have played 5 matches in the league with 11 points that’s over a week out of date.
Are we any nearer to the Fan Zone?
A capacity limit of 200 supporters has been set for the ladies games and I would imagine the U23s. What is the reason for this?
The decision to not allow pay on the gate in the South Stand was quickly reversed following fan feedback. What learning has been taken from that and will be implemented in terms of fan, member and volunteer feedback prior to decisions being made and announced?
Does the club have a strategy for raising the profile of the club and particularly encouraging increased attendance? If not why not and if yes can you briefly outline this?
Why do you think it was acceptable to use our money to take three security guards with you to an away day to police other grounds? If you try and say the home team paid for it, why have you bullied them into thinking this was required? If the police and courts don’t see fit for this, why do you believe you can make them decisions? I have also seen the videos from this encounter and you appear to be trying to antagonise said fans and appear to be laughing at them.
Has any thought been given to improving our website, which to be honest is poor compared to clubs in our league, never mind those leagues above us? Also, club/fan interaction on social media could do with a refresh. An example is the upcoming U23 match with Colne. The game is not ticketed but is restricted to 200. The tweet didn’t say which stand was going to be used and what would happen if more than 200 turned up. More clarity is needed when posting info to fans.
I know it’s early doors in the season but crowds seem to be down on last season. Have we got fewer season ticket holders than last season or have we lost some more to Radcliffe?
With over £400,000 cash in the bank, please can we spend some money on significantly renovating/modernising and maintaining (cleaning) the ladies’ toilets in the South Stand. I am reliably informed they are the worst ladies’ facilities in the league, to the point of being disgustingly unhygienic, which is embarrassing given the facility as a whole. It’s unfair to those who have to use them whilst us men have life much easier, and shortsighted if we’re trying to encourage a broader fan base. If you want to argue this is not the case, can I request you go and sit in each and every cubicle at the end of match days?
We never hear anything from benefactors these days are they still with us if not why not. People still keep referring to us as AFC Bury is it Bury FC or AFC Bury?
When will you be resigning because your people skills are awful and you clearly aren’t cut out for the job?
What is being done to increase the fan base and bring the current fan base together?
Are we going to start a disability team?
What are the club doing to market and advertise the club to the people of Bury? Could we see advertising in the town in order to attract higher attendances?
Some of the questions issued, due to either their personal nature or aren’t submitted in relation to everyday footballing operations, have not been included in the Q&A. To review the last Q&A sessions, head to YouTube HERE or watch below:
