As we all sat at home twiddling our thumbs this weekend after another cancellation, we watched the thaw slowly take hold and pitches across the north-west started to breathe again.
Hopefully that is the end of the freezing conditions as we rocket towards the end of January and look to resume battle in the league. We will be keeping a watchful eye however, over the incoming weather in the hours leading up to the game. Head to social media ( X / Facebook ) or right here at buryfc.co.uk for all the latest updates.
If it is ‘GAME ON’, what better way to pick matters up than in a local derby, as we welcome Ramsbottom United for their first competitive fixture at Gigg Lane.
A Macron Cup fixture at The Harry Williams Riverside Stadium last November being the only previous meeting between the two sides, with late goals from both sides leading to a dramatic 2-2 draw and equally dramatic penalty shoot-out. The Shakers came out on top thanks to a Gaz Peet top corner finish as we headed into sudden death. Highlights of that game can be found below.
For all the details of this big local derby as we finally meet in the league, can be found below in the full match information pack. Head down for opposition details, tickets, parking and live match coverage.
In Opposition – Ramsbottom United
Beginning life in 1966, Ramsbottom United began life as a local amateur side building a junior setup that remains an integral part of the club over 50 years later. You can’t say Ramsbottom United without immediately thinking of current (and forever!) Chairman Harry Williams. Involved from the start, you can still find Harry behind the scenes on a matchday, whether it be in the ticket booth, or dishing out pies in the food hut. A stalwart of the club and ex-manager of the first team (1966-1985), who’s name adorns the stadium that the Rams have been based at since 1980. We continue to wish him well after a recent fall has meant some time in recovery. We certainly hope he is well enough to visit Gigg Lane for this special local fixture.
Following success in both Bury Amateur and Bolton Combination leagues through the late 60s and 70s, the club made the step up into the Manchester League in 1989 before applying to join the NWCFL in the mid-90s. The ground received its grading, with the club gaining promotion from Division Two in 1997, at the same point as they acquired floodlights from local rugby side, Oldham Rugby League Club.
The Rams remained competitive until tradegy struck in 2001 when manager of the time, Ken Bridge, collapsed and died following a game against Cheadle Town. This stunted some of the club’s progress, before in 2009, Harry handed the reins to players at the time – Bernard Morley and Anthony Johnson, for their first tilt at management.
They made their name in fine style, earning promotion for the first time to the NPL in 2012. Further progression and development of both the ground and playing squad occurred and after just two seasons at the elevated level, they achieved a further promotion following a play-off campaign which first overcame favourites Darlington and then Bamber Bridge to reach the third tier for the first time.
Bernard and Jonno left for the ‘Class of ’92’ and Salford City later that year, sending the club in a spin which they were unable to turn around until ex-player Chris Wilcox was appointed in October 2018. An FA Trophy run into the last-16, defeated only by high-flying AFC Fylde, was a highlight for the Willcock’s tenure which without the onset of Covid-19 would no doubt have earned the club a further promotion in that period.
Willcock moved on in 2021 to Workington and the club’s results faltered afterwards, with Lee Donafee struggling to maintain a position in the top half of the league and being replaced, with incumbant David Chadwick unable to keep the Rams in the NPL, with the side slipping back into the NWCFL last summer.
Former Northwich Victoria manager Steve Wilkes took over the reins for this season, and has the team sat in 15th, with nine wins and seven draws from 27 games so far. The side head into the game with only one point in the last five, losing last time out to Skelmersdale United.
Tickets & Admission
General sale tickets are available online HERE, which includes hospitality tickets in the Main Stand.
We recommend purchasing a ticket ahead of the game to allow us to plan appropriately in the ground.
Please follow requests from volunteers and stewards for directions if unsure.
Prices*: £10 adult, £5 16-18, £3 Under 16s & Free for Under 5s.
1885 Suite: £40* per ticket, EyeLevel Sponsors Lounge: £25 per ticket (email commercial@buryfc.co.uk to book)
* plus booking fees
Pay on the Gate: Whilst encouraging supporters to buy online ahead of the game, turnstiles will be available to take cash & card payments.
Season Ticket Holders: We have recognised the requests from some season ticket holders who wish to be sat in the Main Stand, instead of the currently allocated South Stand. The first 250 season ticket holders who wish to watch from the Main Stand, can do so by admission at the turnstile.
Please arrive early to secure your seat, with allocations made on a first-come, first-served basis.
Click here to purchase online tickets. Read here on how to access your tickets digitally.
On the Day & In the Ground
Travel: Gigg Lane is accessible by car and is well served by public transport, please see our page on the TfGM website, which advises the best travel routes to the stadium. Directions can be sourced via Google Maps below.
SatNav Postcode: BL9 9HR
WhatThreeWords: ///issues.skins.span
Parking: Our new car-park policy for the upcoming season is now in force.
Due to the limited space within the car park at Gigg Lane, it is reserved for the following:
- Team Playing Staff and Management
- Match and Competition Officials
- Club Staff and volunteers transporting matchday equipment
- Members of the 1885 Suite
- Sponsors
- Blue Badge Holders
If you have a blue badge or mobility issues please email the club secretary at secretary@buryfc.co.uk at least TWO days before the game. Blue Badge holders shall be prioritised for a parking space.
Entrance to the car park is strictly controlled and includes the areas within and in front of the fenced area. Please contact the Club Secretary with any other related queries.
There is on-street parking in the residential areas surrounding Gigg Lane, with supporters reminded to be respectful and considerate of the local residents at all times, as well as being mindful of and adhering to the parking permit measures in place in close proximity to the ground.
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 new 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. Alcohol will be sold, and can be consumed anywhere in the stand. Please respect the advice from stewards on managing this process on the day.
Starkies bar
Starkies: For those with tickets in the Main Stand, access to Starkies will be available from when the gates open, and throughout the game. The bar is limited to a set number and this will be managed by stewards through the day.
After the game, supporters from other areas of the ground can gain access to Starkies via the ground floor entrance in that corner of the ground – subject to the maximum capacity not being exceeded.
Keep #GiggGleaming: With so much work gone into Gigg Lane to get us to this point, we want to keep it that way and a lot of work goes into turning the ground around between games each weekend. We have a team of volunteers lined up to clean the stands following the game.
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 Gigg Lane. Designated areas are set aside to do this, follow guidance from stewards on this and only smoke / vape within these areas.
#NonLeagueDogs: For now, dogs are NOT permitted in the ground.
Match Coverage & Live Stream
If you are unable to make it to the action at Gigg Lane, we’ll have all the live coverage across our media platforms.
Live Stream: A live stream of the game will be available via Bury FC TV for £6.99! Get access to this on the day of the game from the homepage of the website here.
Season ticket holders will be informed by email before 7pm on how to access the game for FREE.
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 the press box at Gigg Lane. 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!
