Club Statement – Further Update on Supporter Behaviour

Over the last few weeks, the club have been working with Greater Manchester Police (GMP) on identifying the individuals who firstly invaded the pitch after the equalising goal was scored, and secondly those who were shown to be fighting with each other and this was portrayed on social media during our Play-off Final at Ericstan Park in early May. We are now able to provide you with a further update, following our statements last month.


As a club, we wish to again re-iterate that this behaviour is completely unacceptable in today’s society and has no place at our community club. 


A handful of those identified for fighting have been arrested and are currently under investigation by GMP. We will continue to work alongside the relevant authorities in ensuring that they are banned from Gigg Lane.  


Today, we have also issued a number of banning letters in conjunction with our club sanctions policy around pitch encroachment. This process will be continuing over the next few weeks as we contact all those identified.   


In relation to these incidents the club has this week received a charge from the Manchester FA with a breach of rule E.21: ‘failing to control our supporters’. The charge centres around the following reported incidents:


– throwing beer on officials,
– the use of pyrotechnics which are prohibited,
– fighting and finally,
– encroachment of the pitch when the equalising goal was scored.  


This kind of behaviour leaves the club again in the spotlight with the FA for the wrong reasons and subject to sanctions as a result. The club will now put its case to the Manchester FA over the events that occurred.   


I have talked about behaviour a lot during my short time with the club, and whilst the majority of our fans attend the games in good spirits and support Dave and the team, the 1% are still causing the club considerable issues. My message to this 1% is if you cannot attend matches and behave appropriately, then you are simply not welcome.


With so much excitement over the last few days around club signings, it really hurts to have to write these kind of messages.  We look forward to the new season with optimism and look forward to welcoming back our genuine club supporters at Gigg Lane. It is key that the club provides the community with an environment that is safe and secure for all who attend. We continue to work to towards this goal.

Neil

CEO, Bury Football Club

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