Well, it all comes down to this. Two games to define a season. A crazy season, including points deductions, a number of postponements due to weather, behind closed doors fixtures and now to top it all off, a change of home venue to get the game ON!
Saturday’s postponement of our game against Padiham, came less than 48 hours after the previous game had ended. This did see us victorious over neighbours Ramsbottom United under rainy Bury skies at Gigg Lane, but ultimately on top of a surface struggling to cope with the rigours it was being put through.
As manager Dave McNabb explained in his summary video, Thursday night’s game has left the pitch in an unplayable condition and we have a forecast of more wet weather to come.
With the season end rapidly approaching, the club agreed with the league on a venue switch late on Saturday evening. FC United’s Broadhurst Park coming to the rescue at the eleventh hour. We thank the ‘Red Rebels‘, who have returned the favour following their groundshare with the Shakers from 2005-2014.
Amazingly, FC United’s first league game at Gigg Lane in the summer of 2005 was against non-other than our opponents at Broadhurst Park this week, Padiham.
And what a crucial game to take to north-east Manchester. With both Wythenshawe sides ahead of the Shakers in the league going into the weekend, failing to win their respective games against Chadderton and Burscough, the door has cracked open for a late title charge. Two wins lands us top spot and the league title.
Where would you rather be on Tuesday night? Be #PartofIt with our match information below.
Match Highlights – Ramsbottom Utd
Post Match Interviews
In Opposition – Padiham FC
Founded in November 1878, Padiham Football Club, initially known as the ‘Caldersiders’, quickly became one of Lancashire’s soccer pioneers and a prominent team in England. The club was a founding member of the Lancashire Football Association’s Senior Cup in 1879 and achieved success in the F.A. Cup during the 1883-84 season. Their early encounters included significant victories over Burnley F.C. and matches drawing crowds exceeding 2,000 at their original ground near River Calder, leased from the Shuttleworth family.
However, the establishment of the Football League and the legalization of professionalism in football shifted the competitive landscape, leading to a decline in Padiham’s fortunes. The club struggled to attract skilled players and financial constraints forced them into lower leagues.
World War One halted their activities, and they remained inactive until their revival in 1949 at the Arbories Memorial Sports Ground. Over the years, Padiham saw various league changes and spent significant funds on ground upgrades. They rejoined the North West Counties Football League in 2000, won the Premier Division in 2013, and after a brief stint in the Northern Premier League, returned to the North West Counties League in 2015.
This season has seen the ‘Storks’ make a late charge at the play-offs, after only two losses in the last 10 they sit in 7th going into the game. Wins in all three final games would see them in with a very good shout of playing in the post-season, so all to play for.
Highlights of our game at Padiham in summery August conditions can be found below.
Tickets & Admission
Plan of Broadhurst Park
All previously purchased tickets for our game with Padiham remain valid for this fixture. Please bring them to the gate as normal.
General sale tickets for our trip to Broadhurst Park are available online until 6pm on Tuesday HERE. A pay-on-the-gate turnstile will be provided on the night, however we recommend purchasing a ticket ahead of the game to allow us to plan appropriately in the ground.
Prices*: £10 adult, £5 16-18, £3 Under 16s & Free for Under 5s.
* plus booking fees
Full details on the venue switch can be found HERE. Please arrive early to secure a seat in the main stand, which holds 500 supporters and allocations made on a first-come, first-served basis.
Please follow requests from volunteers and stewards for directions if unsure.
Pay on the Gate: Whilst encouraging supporters to buy online ahead of the game, turnstiles will be available to take cash & card payments.
Disabled Supporters: Disabled seating is available within the main stand only, purchase tickets (inc Carer ticket) under the ‘Home Supporters’ allocation and head to the main reception upon arrival at Broadhurst Park.
Away Supporters: Visiting supporters will be directed to the Lightbowne Road End on arrival. Tickets are available for this stand, with cash & card payments also taken.
FREE Supporter Coach: Recognising the impact this change of venue will have on some supporters who only travel locally, the club are putting on coach travel free of charge. This will be primarily for those supporters who would otherwise struggle to get to the game at Broadhurst Park.
These coaches will leave Gigg Lane at approx. 6pm on Tuesday evening, returning back to Gigg Lane after the game. Click here to secure your seat.
Click here to purchase online tickets. Read here on how to access your tickets digitally.
We look forward to welcoming you at Broadhurst Park.
On the Day & In the Ground
Travel: Broadhurst Park is accessible by car and is well served by public transport, please see the Broadhurst Park Travel Hub for more details HERE. Directions can be sourced via Google Maps below.
SatNav Postcode: M40 0FJ
WhatThreeWords: ///once.factor.feel
Parking: The car park at Broadhurst Park will be reserved and limited to the following:
- Team Playing Staff and Management
- Match and Competition Officials
- Club Staff and volunteers transporting matchday equipment
- Blue Badge Holders
If you have a blue badge or mobility issues please email the club secretary at secretary@buryfc.co.uk as soon as possible. Blue Badge holders shall be prioritised for a parking space.
There is on-street parking along Lightbowne Road, with supporters reminded to be respectful and considerate of the local residents at all times and refrain from parking along St.Mary’s Road.
Stadium Entry: Gates will open at 6:30pm.
Our matchday volunteers will be on hand, both outside the turnstiles and inside the ground, to guide supporters to where they need to be. If you have any questions, do not hesitate to ask those who are there to help the day.
Matchday Programme: You can purchase a programme online now, to collect at the merchandise stall ahead of the game or head to the sellers in and around the ground. Price of £3.
Pound for the Ground: Our ‘Pound for the Ground’ half-time raffle tickets will be on sale in and around the ground, £1 per entry. Sellers accept cash or card, with 40% of the total pot going to the winning ticket with results announced over the PA system and on the scoreboard.
Food / Drink: Our catering partner, Quirky Catering, operate the kiosks throughout the ground, and are accessible for supporters under the stands. A selection of hot and cold snacks will be available.
Keep #BroadhurstGleaming: In wanting to leave a good impression on our hosts, we kindly request supporters to leave all areas as clean as they find them.
With this in mind, we urge all supporters to make sure any rubbish is processed in the correct manner, using the available bins where necessary, or if possible please take any rubbish away with you.
Designated Smoking Areas: Supporters are not allowed to smoke / vape anywhere within the stands at Broadhurst Park. Designated areas are set aside to do this, follow guidance from stewards on this and only smoke / vape within these areas.
Match Coverage & Live Stream
If you are unable to make it to the action at Broadhurst Park, we’ll have all the live coverage across our media platforms.
Live Stream: Our pay-per-view Live Stream will be available to purchase HERE. Season ticket holders will receive free access to the stream as part of their purchase. Emails will be sent from 6pm to the email used to purchase tickets.
Keep up-to-date with all our video content via the club’s YouTube Channel. Click to subscribe and never miss highlights and match reaction across the season.
Audio Commentary: Roch Valley Radio will be providing commentary for this game. Join the team from 7.30pm. Click here ahead of kick-off to listen live. Audio commentary will be provided for every game of the season, so you will never miss a piece of the action.
Social Media: Our team will also bring you in-depth text commentary via the club ‘MatchDay Live‘ Twitter feed, with team news and score-line updates available also on Facebook and feel like you are there with our match galleries and imagery available over on Instagram.
Whatever the weather, wherever you are across the globe, we have you covered.
Up the Shakers!
