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551 articles in this category
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Pre-Season: Stockport Town (H), Tuesday 18th July, 7:45pm KO
Andy Welsh’s side come into Tuesday’s game against Stockport Town, off the back of a 5-2 loss away at Macclesfield on Saturday.
Benito Lowe was on the scoresheet once again in the first half whilst Dan Lafferty scored in the second half. Saturday was another opportunity for Welsh and his coaches to assess trialists ahead of the league campaign beginning in less than two weeks’ time.
In Opposition – Stockport Town
Tuesday’s visitors play their football in the NWCFL Division One South and could have been playing alongside the Shakers in the Premier Division, they fell one point short of the league leaders Wythenshawe FC.
They were beaten by-eventual play off final winners Cheadle Town in the semi-final 2-0. The club have been in the Counties since the 2015/16 season, a year after they were founded.
Manager Paul Turnbull came through the ranks at Stockport County before moving to Macclesfield, Barrow & Chester before he returned to Edgeley Park in 2018. He was appointed manager of Town in July 2021.
Tickets
Tickets are still available for this fixture with Stockport Town, you can also pay on the turnstiles by cash or card.
Prices: £8 adult, £2 Under 16s & Free for Under 5s.
Click here to purchase online tickets.
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 best travel routes to the stadium. Directions can be sourced via Google Maps below.
SatNav Postcode: BL9 9HR
WhatThreeWords: ///issues.skins.span
Parking: The car park at Gigg Lane are available for players and officials ONLY, with spaces also made available for blue badge holders. Car park operatives are under strict instructions to apply this policy, if your car is not on the list, you won’t be let on the car park. Contact secretary@buryfc.co.uk for further details.
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 6.45pm. All spectators will be housed in the South Stand for this fixture.
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.
Food / Drink: Kiosks are accessible for supporters under the stands following the gates opening at 6:45pm. 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.
Matchday Programme:
The team who compile the award-winning programmes have been at it again with a fresh look for 2023-24. The new look ‘The Shakers‘ programme.
Our second pre-season edition will cover the remaining pre-season games at Gigg Lane and features ‘AFC’s Final Four’ documenting the match reports from the final four games of the 2022/23 season for Bury AFC.
Make sure you don’t miss out on this edition, and grab a copy for just £3 from the sellers in and around the ground ahead of the game.
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 tannoy and on the scoreboard.
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 is going into turning the ground around between games this 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.
#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: For this game, we will have no live stream. Keep up-to-date with all our video contentvia 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 from 7:40pm. 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!
#ShakersTogether | #BuryFC | #PartofIt | #PreSeason
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Pre-Season: Thackley AFC (A) – Sat 1st July 2023, 3pm KO
Here! We! Go!
No sooner has it felt like one season ends, another one starts with ‘Pre-season 2023’ officially beginning this week with a double-header day of football over at Thackley AFC this Saturday.
Boss Andy Welsh and women’s interim manager Jason Jarrett (pictured) take their respective sides across the M62 for the first time in the new era of Bury Football Club.
Starting at 12noon, Jarrett’s charges get us underway as they lead into the North West Women’s Regional League (NWWRL) Premier Division in 2023/24. Thackley Ladies currently compete in the West Riding Women’s Regional League, finishing 7th last season. Many of the championship-winning side from last season have returned and are raring to go this summer.
To follow at 3.30pm, the men’s side take to the Dennyfield pitch.
Andy Welsh has put together a strong squad of players over the summer, bringing in a string of attackers who will no doubt be the envy of the league. With Benito Lowe, Tom Kilifin, Darius Palma and Andy Briggs coming to the party, we start the season with a front-line that contributed almost 150 goals last season. Certainly exciting times lay in wait for Shakers supporters this season.
Benito Lowe Tom Kilifin Andy Welsh with Darius Palma Andy Briggs joins the Shakers from Steeton
The hard work starts now, with the bulk of the squad back in training this week, with running sessions and ball work in equal measure. As always stated, pre-season fixtures are there for the lads to gain fitness and sharpness but we know supporters will travel over in their numbers to take in the game. Thackley are encouraging supporters to buy tickets in advance so they can manage ground operations, so check out the information below on how to get hold of these, as well as details on travel and facilities to be expected on the day.
In Opposition
Thackley AFC are based in the small suburb of Thackley, a couple of miles north of Bradford, West Yorkshire.
The club plays in the Northern Counties East League Premier Division (Step 5), finishing in a respectable 14th last season.
Their home ground is the ‘Thank You Key Workers Stadium at Dennyfield’ and the primary colours of club are red and white, with the nickname of the ‘Dennyboys’ in recognition of
They are managed by duo Danny Forrest and, known to many reading this, Tom Greaves. This game has been arranged as part of the agreement that saw Greaves, and fellow attacker and former Bury FC player Aidan Chippendale join Bury for the last five games of last season.
Club History
Thackley FC was formed in 1930, spending much of their early years in local football before joining the West Riding County Amateur League in 1939. The club then moved into county-wide leagues, spending 25 years in the West Riding County Amateur League, winning that league on five occasions before a brief spell in the West Yorkshire League. Thackley then joined the Yorkshire League before becoming founder members of the Northern Counties East League’s Premier Division where they have been ever since with the club’s best season being in 1993–94 when they were runners-up, losing out on goal difference to Stocksbridge Park Steels.
The club has never been relegated from that division throughout the League’s 40-year history.
Thackley’s best efforts in national cup competitions have been in the FA Vase, their best season being in 1980–81 when they got to the fifth round. The club has never progressed beyond the second qualifying round of either the FA Cup or the FA Trophy.
Tickets
General Admission – £6 + booking fee Concessions – £4 + booking fee (Students (with a valid form of student ID), and senior citizens over 65) FREE admission to u16s, accompanied by an adult
Get your ticket from Thackley’s website by clicking here.
On the Day
Turnstiles: open from 11:30am, cash or card in the Bar, on the Gate and at the Tea Bar.
Kick Off: The Women’s friendly will kick-off at 12noon followed by the Men’s friendly to begin cking off at 3:30pm.
Disabled Access: There are ×3 disability parking spaces outside the Clubhouse and next to the entrance gate. There is disabled access to the ground and also the Clubhouse. If a disabled space requires reserving, please contact Thackley.
Food & Drink: On match day “Arthur’s Bar” Clubhouse will be open where you can purchase your alcoholic and soft drinks. Arthur’s Bar was renovated in 2020 and is the go-to place for events in the community. Serving hot food will be the “Tea Bar” inside the ground. There will also be a Pizza food truck for this fixture as a special guest, and a pop-up bar within the stadium.
Programme: A full programme has been prepared for this fixture. Thackley have ordered extra for this game, but if you miss out get in touch and Thackley will try to accommodate a re-print.
#NonLeagueDogs: Dogs are welcome in the ground and in Arthur’s Bar as long as they are kept on a lead at all times.
Before the match: Locally, there are a number of bars and pubs which sponsor Thackley who would love to see you. Do check out The Ainsbury Micro Pub, The Black Rat Micro Pub and the White Bear. Fancy Fish and Chips? Their sponsors Towngate Fisheries next to the White Bear would love to see some Bury supporters too.
Travel & Parking
Capacity: 3000, Cover: 600, Seats: 300
Address: Dennyfield, Ainsbury Avenue, Thackley, Bradford, BD10 0TL.
Contact Tel: (01274) 615571.
General Ground Directions: Via M606 (or M62 Junction 27 and A650) – A6177 (Bradford Ring Road eastbound) and A658 (Harrogate Road) to Greengates traffic lights by (Roebuck Inn). Take 657 towards Shipley and at Thackley corner (beyond S bend) turn right into Thackley Road. At crossroads beyond Methodist Church , veer into Ainsbury Avenue and Dennyfield is 200 yards ahead. Alternatively via M621 (Junction 1). A6110 (Leeds Ring Road westbound), A647 to New Pudsey Station – then A6120 to Rodleyand via A657 as above.
Parking: There is a large on-site car park which can hold around 100 cars. There is some street parking on Ainsbury Avenue and surrounding streets, but please be respectful to other members of the community and do not “double park” as this will stop access for emergency services vehicles.
Public Transport (Train): Shipley 2¼ miles, services to Bradford / Leeds.
Public Transport (Bus): First Bradford 613, 614, Keighley Bus Company 60 from Shipley (Market Square, 5 minutes walk from station) to Bradford (Leeds Road, Aire Street) six times per hour, journey time 10 minutes. Then left into Aire Street, right into Crag Hill Road, left into Thackley Road and immediately right into Ainsbury Avenue, ground on right (8 minutes).
#ShakersTogether | #BuryFC | #PartofIt | #PreSeason
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Radcliffe (a): FA Cup Third Qualifying Round Draw
We will travel to neighbours Radcliffe in the Third Qualifying Round of the Emirates FA Cup.
The tie is scheduled to take place on Saturday 28th September.
More details to follow when we have them.
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Radcliffe (a): FA Cup Ticket News
Radcliffe FC have informed us that they intend to make 600 tickets available for Bury supporters for our Third Round Qualifying clash on Saturday 28th September.
We will follow our ticketing process of issuing access to tickets online over the coming weekend to the following brackets of supporters:
– those who are both Members AND Season Ticket Holders
– those who are either Members OR Season Ticket Holders
– where tickets remain then on General Sale
As has become standard practice when processing tickets to away games where the ticket availability is limited, supporters will receive email communication from the club when tickets become available.
Supporters who are successful in purchasing a ticket, will be required to collect a ticket from Gigg Lane prior to the game to gain admission on the day. Our online issued tickets will not be accepted on the gate on the day.
The timeline around ticket availability and pick-up times at Gigg Lane will follow later in the week.
Any enquiries should be directed to the club during opening hours at enquiries@buryfc.co.uk
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Radcliffe (a): More Tickets Available + Collection Update
We have been informed this morning, that an extra 200 tickets have been made available to Bury fans ahead of this Saturday’s FA Cup fixture vs Radcliffe.
Following feedback on the earlier two phases of the ticket release, we will distribute these 200 tickets to those who are season ticket holders AND members at 7pm tonight (Monday). We expect this allocation to be sold within this distribution.
As identified on the ticket receipt, a digital ticket is required to be presented in exchange for an admission ticket supplied by Radcliffe. These tickets can be collected from Gigg Lane across the below time periods this week:
Between 6.30 – 7.30pm on Tuesday evening (24th Sept) at our pop-up canopy in the car park, ahead of the Stockport Town game On reception 1.00 – 7.00pm on Thursday (26th Sept) On reception 1.00 – 5.00pm on Friday (27th Sept) We’ve been made aware by several supporters regarding the request for carer tickets. For those who require a carers ticket, you will not be able to collect your ticket on Tuesday, and we request you attend one of the later slots in the week to collect. Please make sure you bring relevant documentation to collect a carers ticket. Due to our hosts not having a carers ticket category, these tickets will be chargeable at £15.
Gigg Lane will be closed on Wednesday for works to the electrical systems, so no collections can be made on that day.
If there are any ticket enquiries, these should be directed to our ticket email tickets@buryfc.co.uk.
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Ramsbottom thank Bury for Saturday’s fixture
The club has received the following message from Ramsbottom United following Saturday’s game at the Harry Williams Riverside Stadium:
We would also like to thank our supporters in line with Tony’s comments above, and for adhering to our requests to remain in the stands at all times. It is of great importance that we all work together to make the matchday experience a special one, for all supporters.
We take this into the playoffs now! UTS
#ShakersTogether | #BuryFC | #PartOfIt
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Recruitment Update – September 2024
Our Head of Recruitment Jimmy Holmes has provided the following update for supporters:
We are now 2 months into the season. I just wanted to provide an update on the new squad with an insight into how we’ve gone about it.
From day one at Bury FC my job was to help build a squad that could compete at the top end of the table and ultimately gain promotion, but also go on and progress up to the next league once we get there.
Previously the club had a high turnover of players throughout the past 4 seasons. We wanted to change this and add in players for the long term.
The next stage was to take what the club had from last season. We only had a handful of players that had committed so we had to build an entirely new squad.
We had a number of key targets that had been watched on numerous occasions that we wanted to bring to the club so when we made our approach we were fully confident in the player.
They are a brand new squad that will take time to fulfill its potential with an average age of 23. It was part of our plan to also build a squad that is younger. Long term we don’t want to have a relatively high average age & we don’t want to be having to re-build like in previous years.
We have a clear plan on how we want to get there. Even if it isn’t always easy to bring the right players into Bury FC it’s important that the individual players we sign can identify with our path. Players who can handle the pressure of playing for Bury FC but who can also handle the expectations week in week out.
Players that can go on a journey with the club, identify with fans and be ready for the next challenge when the club gets there. We want to invest in these players now so the rewards will come later down the road after making 50/100/150 appearances for the club. That is something unique at these levels of football. If you want to build something, you have to think two or three years ahead.
Most of the players are of an age, so that in one, two or three years they will still be at a good footballer’s age and everyone’s goal is to move forward with the club.
The purpose of good recruitment is to find players who fit a team’s style of play before anyone else realises how good they are clubs can also look for undervalued players. We wanted to bring into the club players that the fans might not have heard about before. New players that we believe can go and take the club on to another level. Players who may not have played in a certain position before who we can develop and fit into our system & style of play.
If the players individually and squad collectively keep their levels high it’s going to be a pleasure to watch them moving forward.
We don’t want to copy other clubs we want to recruit the best talent for our club and be unique.
Jimmy Holmes.
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Robert Nicholas Steels to Sponsor The Shakers Training & Travel Wear
We are delighted to announce that Robert Nicholas Steels (RNS), an Accrington-based company, has agreed to sponsor the club’s training and travel wear for the coming season. RNS is a leading supplier of both primary and secondary steel, delivering nationwide.
The company has a long history of providing high-quality products and services to businesses across the UK. Managing director Bill Rhind said: “We are pleased to support Bury FC on their return to Gigg Lane and wish them every success in the future.”
We are thrilled to have Robert Nicholas Steels on board as a sponsor. Their support will help us to continue to provide our players with the best possible equipment as they prepare for the upcoming season.
We would like to thank them for their commitment to Bury FC. We look forward to working with them in the years to come.
Click here to visit their website.
If you are interested in any future sponsorship opportunities please contact commercial@buryfc.co.uk
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Rod's Clear Vision: 'Do Ya Think I'm Transparent?
Structure of the organisation – How we arrived at the current position
I have previously given an update on where we are with the structure of the organisation and the relationship with the benefactors, but with more questions and so much misinformation in circulation I have prepared this more detailed note which summarises how we have arrived at the current position.
As secretary of the Football Supporters’ Society of Bury (FSSB) I have no vote, my role is to record discussions and decisions made and where appropriate share these with members.
My role is primarily to protect the members’ interests and if, as Secretary, I believe the society is not acting in the best interests of its members then I must remedy the situation.
As a result, these notes are intended to be a factual record of events, rather than a statement of opinion. External advice has been sought and received all the way through this process, and I will refer to this where relevant.
In summary:
The current ownership structure was agreed by all seven of the board members present. There were no objections and one person was absent due to holiday. We have acted in accordance with the external advice we sought from both our lawyers and the FSA. The facts were supported by other impartial individuals involved in discussions, including the Investment Director at Greater Manchester Combined Authority. Opportunities to discuss or comment on our previous communications have been offered to the benefactors. There is no reason the structure cannot change once the promised funds are committed, it just needs member approval. The contents of this report have all been agreed as accurate by the board of FSSB. There was very little difference in the information presented to members from the first amalgamation vote in October 2022, which did not pass, and the second vote in May 2023 which was approved. The formalities of the motions themselves were identical and all of the actions required from these motions are complete. Specifically, Bury FC Supporters’ Society members (BFCSS) were asked to approve the amalgamation of the two societies. Shakers Community Society (SCS) members were asked to approve the amalgamation of the two societies, change the playing name to Bury Football Club, and move playing venue to Gigg Lane. The differences between the two votes simply reflect that SCS owned the football club, then playing as Bury AFC, which needed member approval to change playing name and home ground. BFCSS owned a controlling interest (in that they owned the majority of voting rights) in the company which owns the stadium, called The Bury Football Club Company Limited. The other co-owner of The Bury Football Club Company Limited is Bury FC Benefactors Limited, which is the vehicle which holds the shares on behalf of the benefactors who invested in half of the cost of the acquisition of Gigg Lane, the other half funded by central government money in the form of the Community Ownership Fund, which falls under the remit of the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities (DLUHC). In regard to the benefactors’ contribution to acquire Gigg Lane they have no expectation or desire to earn a financial reward.
Two other key pieces of information were noted within the documentation issued to members prior to the vote, which are pertinent to the current situation.
One was that the organisation would be restructured so that the football club would fall under the ownership of The Bury Football Club Company Limited, which would give Bury FC Benefactors Limited an equal share in the football club, albeit without voting control.
The other was that a successful vote to amalgamate would result in additional capital committed to the project. This included £300k from the two societies, £450k from Bury Council, the remaining £300k from DLUHC and around £300k from Bury FC Benefactors Limited. There is some dispute as to the exact figure which should be used for the benefactor contribution but as no monies have been committed at all so far, I do not think this point is relevant at this point. DLUHC have confirmed that around £300k of the £1m agreed is still available to draw down from their fund. Prior to the second vote SCS board members wished to evidence to its members that this money was still available. It was evident from its own finances that the society could meet its obligations. Bury Council reconfirmed their own commitment, subject to the conditions previously outlined, and DLUHC confirmed the remaining funding was still available. Understandably, it was not possible to evidence the Bury FC Benefactors Limited money was available as it had not been committed and we were advised it would not be committed unless the second amalgamation vote was successful. This was not a surprise. No additional funding has been provided from Bury FC Benefactors Limited to The Bury Football Club Company Limited other than the initial funding required to purchase the stadium in early 2021. A request for a letter of intent from benefactors was requested but not provided and it was accepted this would have no binding legal status. There was a desire from both sides to find a solution to this, as the SCS board was uncomfortable recommending the merger to members based on this level of uncertainty. The Investment Director at Greater Manchester Combined Authority, who had chaired various meetings on the second amalgamation, was asked to discuss the availability of the benefactor funding with a director and representative of Bury FC Benefactors Limited, who confirmed that the funding was available and conditional only on the merger. This information was relayed to the SCS board to provide some additional comfort and evidence that this information had been provided to a third party, not just the SCS board. We received written confirmation from that Investment Director on the 11th2023 that this conversation took place and I have copied the relevant statement below:
“At the working group meeting on 10th February, the minutes show that in order to move forwards towards a vote one of the points you (SCS) needed was confirmation that the £300k of funding from the Benefactors was still available. The minutes note that the £300k was subject to a positive outcome of the vote.”
“Further to this meeting I had a conversation with Matt Barker to understand the position with respect to the additional benefactor monies as given the status of the vote at that time, Matt had not wanted to revert to Benefactors and ask for a letter of commitment. In my conversation Matt was clear that whilst he did not feel it was the right time to go back and ask for a letter of commitment from the Benefactors, that he was comfortable that this funding was available subject to a positive vote outcome and that I could reiterate this message to you ( SCS).
In addition, the Q&As, which were approved by that same director and representative of Bury FC Benefactors Limited, and issued to members of both societies ahead of the merger vote read:
“All of the previous funding is available again should a vote go through this time. This is an instant £1.3m rising to an estimated £2.3m over time. This includes a further £300,000 from the existing benefactors. There has been no further capital invested or donated to the project since the first vote. There will be some confirmatory diligence undertaken to confirm all funds are in place as expected before the merger completes.”
It was understood, therefore, that the additional benefactor money was readily available, and subject to no conditions other than a positive amalgamation vote, given that it was to come from existing benefactors who had already committed funds. The exact source of the funds, whether it be new or existing benefactors is not material, other than by stating the money could come from existing benefactors it gave the SCS board far more confidence it would be made available.
Bury Council were also concerned to establish that this funding was available. The terms of their own funding which are detailed in their cabinet paper of 13th June 2022 states:
“The business plan includes a commitment of £1m from private benefactors of which £730k has been invested to date. The balance of £270k will be invested if the merger discussions are successful and will be used as match funding, alongside the Bury Council funding, to release the balancing £300k of grant from the Community Ownership Fund.”
The business plan originally submitted included additional funding from Bury FC Benefactor Limited.
We were advised that there were no available Bury FC Benefactor Limited funds after voting had closed. There was no immediate financial pressure caused by this situation, however once it became apparent that the money would not be committed a discussion amongst the FSSB board members was held at a board meeting on firstly the 4th July 2023 ( where seven board members were present) and later on the 18th July 2023 ( where seven board members were present) ) about the next steps.
At the meeting on the 4th July 2023 the relevant minute confirms that:
‘It was agreed by all that it would be wrong to transfer Bury Football Club (2019) Ltd to The Bury
Football Club Company Ltd as the financial diligence has not been completed and Bury FC Benefactors Ltd have not provided an additional £300k into that company as set out in the original merger proposal.’
It was also agreed at the meeting on the 4th July 2023 that:
“advice from Anthony Collins Solicitors LLP would be sought (should these funds be made available in future) about whether a member vote would be required. Bury Football Club (2019) Ltd trading as Bury Football Club would remain a wholly owned subsidiary of the Football Supporters’ Society of Bury’
A course of action was agreed at board meeting on the 18th July 2023 attended by seven of the eight board members. All seven voted in favour of this and the relevant minute is copied below.
“MB has confirmed there is £240k outstanding from the Benefactors who want a meeting to discuss. We can arrange a meeting but even with this figure there seems to be a £60k downfall. Benefactors feel £760k has been paid in to date. JW said there was an understanding that there would be £1mil of funding from existing benefactors at the time of the vote amongst members. MB spoke to PY prior to vote results being announced to say that additional benefactor funding would not immediately be available. DT raised that current position of the benefactors suggest that they do not or are unwilling to immediately invest existing funds. MB has stated that the current position is ‘uninvestible’ KL says we’re currently in transition period. Deadline has been given until the end of the month for the benefactors to provide additional funds but keen that all avenues should still be explored with the benefactors to resolve the matter. PY agreed that the deadline was sensible and then we can draw a line under it and decide on a new way forward. PY happy to meet to discuss with benefactors as requested along with other Interim Board members. . Meeting to be facilitated in forthcoming weeks between Benefactors and IB members, Face to Face is going to be more difficult due to geographical and proximity issues involved of IB members and benefactors. KL suggested that a minute taker be present and a second set of eyes and ears. ACTION: Meeting to be arranged between Benefactors and IB members to discuss this current impasse. Remote meeting would be most suitable.”
The legal opinion, obtained from a mutual law expert at the firm who had advised us throughout the amalgamation process confirmed this course of action. In particular, it re-iterated that in the absence of any binding legal agreement on the matter the society could not force benefactors individually or collectively to pay the outstanding amount, nor could the benefactors force transfer of the football cub ownership. Given that this would effectively be transferring half of the ownership of the football club for no financial contribution it was clear this would not be in the interests of the society, which may wish to accept investment into the football club at a future date, subject to member vote.
We were advised to provide a deadline date of seven or fourteen days to Bury FC Benefactors
Limited for the investment to allow another opportunity for investment and gave a deadline of the 31st July 2023. It was confirmed that the outstanding monies would not be paid, and the matter closed. We had also advised further investment could be made, along with changes to the ownership structure but this would be subject to another consultation and member vote, as the terms of the previous agreement had expired. Again, this was in accordance with the legal advice we received and also the advice received from the Football Supporters Association (FSA) who had been involved throughout.
It was expected that the benefactors would not agree with this, as they still believe the football club ownership should be transferred without any additional financial contribution from Bury FC Benefactors Limited. The dispute between board members of FSSB occurred when it was suggested that this situation be disclosed to members. The board was equally split on this issue and we did not have a majority vote to disclose the information to members. The statement which was eventually released and can be seen here, and is repeated below, had been passed to the board of Bury FC Benefactors Limited for comment on the 1st August 2023 and we had received no comment on it other than that it had been received and they were not in agreement with its release. By the 6th August 2023 we had still received no comment on it, and I, acting as Secretary, took advice from the FSA on my obligations as I felt it was something FSSB members should be informed of given we had been asked about funding by some members, questions had been raised about the football club ownership and it was pertinent to the amalgamation vote which was a hugely significant event for members of both societies. It was issued to members by email on the 7th August 2023 at 6.00pm and is reproduced below.
Update from The Secretary of the Football Supporters' Society of Bury
We have completed the amalgamation of the two societies, the name change to Bury Football Club and made Gigg Lane our home ground, which were the three items voted on by members in May.
We also advised as part of the pre-vote information pack that we would move the ownership of the football club, which is Bury Football Club (2019) Ltd trading as Bury Football Club, under the ownership of The Bury Football Club Company Limited, subject to further financial due diligence. We have been advised by Bury FC Benefactors Ltd that at this stage they will not be investing the further £300, 000 they had committed to in the business plan presented to members. This does not place the stadium or club in any significant jeopardy as we are still able to access both central and local government funding in addition to holding our own cash reserves.
There is no obligation on Bury FC Benefactors Ltd to invest this money, and we will continue to work with them as normal. Equally there is no requirement for the Football Supporters’ Society of Bury to make any changes to the ownership of the club, and so it will remain 100% owned by the Society, and separate from The Bury Football Club Company Limited, which the Society co-owns with Bury FC Benefactors Ltd. The Football Supporters’ Society of Bury also owns the majority of voting rights in The Bury Football Club Company Limited, so should not be prejudiced in any way by keeping the organisational structure in its current format.
Should any party, including Bury FC Benefactors Ltd, wish to invest into either Bury Football Club (2019) Ltd or The Bury Football Club Company Limited at a future date they may do so by an approach to the board of the Football Supporters’ Society of Bury, who can take this forward to member consultation and a member vote if they believe it is a credible offer in the best interests of the club and the society.
There are some significant legal and tax issues to consider as part of any transaction like this, in addition to the need for member approval, and so it is unlikely that any offer could be agreed and put forward for a vote quickly or without professional advice.
Rod Peters
Secretary to the Interim Board
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S&S Northern sign up as sponsors
We are thrilled to announce that S&S Northern has signed on as a sponsor for Bury FC!
S&S Northern is a family-owned business based in Lancashire that specialises in the manufacturing and supply of commercial gas safety systems. They were established in 1995 and are owned by lifelong Bury FC supporters Steve and Sue McMahon.
S&S Northern will be sponsoring the back of the team’s shirts for the next two seasons. Steve commented to buryfc.co.uk in response to the deal being struck: “We’re absolutely delighted to have the opportunity to sponsor a club that means so much to us as individuals and also to the town of Bury.”
Steve recalled Brian Grundy being his teacher during the week, and turning out for the Shakers on a Saturday when he and his long-term friend Gary started watching during the late 60’s. A time when they both stood in the old Boys Stand, and now there are three generations of the McMahon family who attend games on a regular basis.
(Pictured) Representatives from S&S Northern were down at Gigg Lane today to take in the sunshine
We thank S&S Northern for their support and for being part of it! We look forward to working with them in the years to come.
Click here to visit their website.
If you are interested in any future sponsorship opportunities please contact commercial@buryfc.co.uk
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Season Ticket Collection
We are delighted to confirm that our physical season cards have now arrived for collection THIS WEEKEND ahead of the new season.
Please remember that cards are only available if purchased prior to Sunday 2nd July 2023. All season tickets purchased after that date will be digital ONLY.
These can be picked up at the Gigg Lane Ticket Office from 1pm until 2.45pm, ahead game against Golcar United this Saturday (22nd), as well as a short period after the game. Further collection times are to be arranged and will be communicated.
To enable swift collection of your ticket, please bring the following with you:
The email or text showing proof of purchase; The name of the person who bought the ticket; and The five letter season pass reference e.g. WSXCL which was sent in the confirmatory text or email you will have received after purchase. Please help us by ensuring that you have your 5-letter ID reference ready before you arrive at the collection point. Note that we are unable to release any cards without this reference. An example is shown in the image above.
You can still purchase a digital season ticket ahead of the season from our ticket page (HERE), priced as follows:
Adults – £196* U16s – £50* U5s – Free 1885 Suite – £720 Be #ShakersTogether, Be #PartOfIt, Be #BuryFC for 2023/24.
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Season Tickets for 2024/25
As outlined in the update recently, we are moving closer to opening up season ticket purchases ready for the 2024/25 season. Tickets will be available to purchase from Monday 17th June.
Manager Dave McNabb has been putting the first signings for our men’s side together this past week, and we hope you are excited to return to Gigg Lane for another season of action from this summer.
General Season Tickets Admission
We are pleased to announce that prices will remain the same as last season*:
Adults – £196 16-18 Year Olds – £98 Under 16s – £50 Under 5s – FREE
*Inclusive of VAT, plus booking fee.
As with last year, physical tickets will be provided to all supporters who sign up for their 2024/25 ticket before the 1st July. This season also, supporters will be able to reserve their seat for the first time too. Details on how you can do this, will be available on the point of sale.
U16s Season Ticket Giveaway
On Saturday 22nd June, we will be running a Junior Season Ticket Giveaway! 100 under-16s who attend Gigg Lane on the day, will leave with a season pass for the 2024/25 season via our draw.
Full details on this event will be provided ahead of the date but put a reminder in the calendar now, and don’t miss out!
Hospitality Season Tickets
The hospitality offerings for next season have also been refined and we are pleased to outline the details of our exclusive membership club for 60 people in the 1885 suite on home matchdays.
The pricing for the 1885 exclusive membership packages will be £620 including VAT per person (£26.95 per game). This is a £100 reduction on last season’s price and we hope provides a great matchday experience for all supporters who want to get close to the action.
The package covers all home NWCFL fixtures:
Entrance via the Hospitality Entrance in the Main Stand Open pre-match, during the game, and post-match until 7pm. Private TV showing all live BT (including 12.30 kick offs) and free-to-view matches. Private pay bar for beers, wines, and spirits. Pre-match food 10% discount on all items from the retail shop. 10% discount on Starkies room hire. Matchday team sheet. One season ticket Half-time refreshments Access to 1885 lounge with bar Players attendance post-match Discount on other sponsorship and advertising opportunities. A further extended VIP package for supporters who want an exclusive experience on Gigg Lane matchdays, will also be available in our EyeLevel Sponsors Lounge.
For full details on this and our Starkies Pass, please head to our Hospitality Season Ticket page HERE. Availability for these packages are limited, so grab your ticket quick by ordering below.
Order Hospitality Tickets Follow the Shakers next season in style, we’ve got you covered!
#BuryFC | #SeasonTickets
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Services Day – Sat 6th April
We are offering free entry to our Armed Forces for our game against AFC Liverpool this weekend.
Bury has a rich military heritage and as part of the club’s commitment to reaching out to all members of the local community, and building on Bury Council’s support which saw them awarded the ‘Gold’ award in the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme, we are offering the opportunity to all serving personnel and veterans to be at Gigg Lane for our important game as the season comes to a close.
To be #PartofIt, head to the hospitality entrance within the Main Stand at Gigg Lane on the day (from 1.30pm) to present your ID and recieve your entry ticket*.
We look forward to welcoming you on Saturday.
* Accompanying members can pay on entry, or secure your ticket HERE.
As always, keep across the latest from the club on the website, X / Twitter & Facebook.
To subscribe to emails, fill out the form HERE.
Join as a Football Supporters Society of Bury member for just £5 a month HERE.
#ShakersTogether | #BuryFC | #PartofIt
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Shirt Sponsorship in Memory of Mandy Freeman
In May 2023, we sadly lost our very own Amanda ‘Mandy’ Freeman.
A supporter of Bury for many years, she was always keen to support the club in as many ways as she could.
Following her passing, her friends and the wider club volunteers came together to sponsor the number six home and away shirts in her name.
This is being continued for the 2024/25 season in the means of a raffle.
Volunteer Co-ordinator, Sam Harman said: “When Mandy passed away, her friends and fellow volunteers decided to ensure we would keep up with her shirt/player sponsorship that Mandy did for her and her dad. The plan was, to each year raffle off the signed shirts, so that her and Keith’s sponsorship would be renewed.
“Both Mandy and Keith were avid Bury fans and it would be greatly appreciated if you could show your support with this.”
Fans can purchase a ticket for £5, with the aim to raise the £160 required to be able to sponsor the shirt.
The winner of the raffle will receive the number six shirts at the end of the season, signed by all players.
Click here to purchase a raffle ticket.
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Sponsor the Club in 2024/25
Want to be #PartofIt and sponsor Bury Football Club?
We have a range of packages to suit all budgets, from match and shirt sponsorship, to ground and matchday hospitality packages.
To contact the club to discuss your sponsorship requirements, email in HERE or call 0161 537 9253.
To find out the latest, our commercial brochure is available to review below.
Bury FC Commercial Brochure 2425-compressedDownload Follow us on social media for all the latest from the club – X / Facebook / Instagram / LinkedIn
Be #ShakersTogether, Be #PartOfIt, Be #BuryFC for 2024/25
#Commercial | #BuryFC | #PartOfIt
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Sponsor the gaffer – the Winner is….
Last week, we gave you the chance to sponsor manager Andy Welsh for the 2023/24 season by entering our raffle!
We held the draw this week once the entries had closed and are pleased to announce the winners as below:
The Winner was Eric Grosvenor who will be mentioned in each matchday programme, plus receive a £100 e-voucher for Hope & Glory. Second prize was picked up by Paul Spurr and he will receive a £50 e-voucher for Hope & Glory. Third prize was awarded to Craig Siddall and he will receive a voucher for any hat or scarf from the merchandise stall. We will be in touch with the winners via email. Thanks to all who signed up and congratulations to Eric on the winning ticket!
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Sponsor the Gaffer 2023/24
Do you want to win the chance of becoming Andy Welsh’s sponsor this coming season?
For just £10 you can have the chance to do so by entering the raffle. The draw will take place before kick-off on Saturday, you don’t want to miss out!
There will be three prizes up for grabs!
The winning ticket will get to sponsor Andy with a mention each matchday programme, plus receive a £100 e-voucher for Hope & Glory.
2nd prize will receive a £50 e-voucher for Hope & Glory.
3rd prize gets a voucher for any hat or scarf from the merchandise stall. A gift that will allow you to support Bury anywhere!
Make sure to enter the raffle before Friday 28th July, at 11:59 pm to not only become Andy Welsh’s sponsor but also to have the chance of winning some great prizes for just a tenner!
Click here to enter the raffle.
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Squad Update
Ahead of tonight’s game away at Abbey Hey, Dave McNabb has issued the following update on a number of players:
Brad Carroll
We’ve been dealt some bad news in the last week with the scan results coming back on Brad knee injury confirming that he has a full rupture of his PCL and is likely to be out for up to 6 months. Brad has been brilliant since he came to the club, fantastic performances on the pitch and a player who is highly respected and well thought of in the changing room.
Morgan Homson-Smith
Morgan is out for another two weeks with an ankle injury. After a very impressive start to preseason Morgan was really unlucky to pick up the knock at Atherton LR in early July. I’m sure once he’s cleared to play he will get back to full speed pretty quickly.
Jack Dunn
Jack has had a tough couple of years with a serious knee injury. As expected he will pick up a few niggles and strains as he makes his way back to full fitness. Jack has been back into training this week and should be available for selection in the next week or two. We know we will have to be patient with Jack but it will certainly be worth it when we get him 100% fit and sharp.
Iyrwah Gooden
Iyrwah is unavailable for the next 10 days. Another who’s had a brilliant start to his life as a shaker and will no doubt be missed over the next few games.
Bryan Ly
Bryan will be back into full contact training this week and available for selection next weekend following a concussion. It’s been extremely frustrating to lose Bryan but there’s nothing more important than the health and wellbeing of our players and it’s a very long season ahead.
Connor Comber
Connor has missed a large portion of preseason due to holidays and injury. Connor trained a couple of weeks ago and managed to play in the final weekend of preseason away to Nelson but unfortunately has picked up another injury since. It’s nothing serious but painful impact injury on his knee.
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Squad Update
Dave McNabb has offered a status update on the players currently on the injured list at Gigg Lane below ahead of this weekend’s FA Cup tie with Garforth Town.
Macauley Wilson – Macauley limped out of Monday’s match with Cheadle Town late on with a knee injury. It’s still too early to assess how severe the injury is at the moment due to the swelling but we’re hopeful it will only be a week or two.
Ben Hockenhull – Ben has a very minor knock to his knee that kept him out last weekend and he returned to full training this week. He is however cup-tied for the FA Cup, so will be unavailable on Saturday.
Brad Carroll – Brad continues his recovery and is working through the early stages of his rehabilitation with the medical team.
Sam Coughlan – Sam missed Monday’s match with Cheadle Town with a small knock. He has returned to training this week and is available for selection at the weekend.
Morgan Homson Smith – Morgan continues to struggle with an ankle injury picked up during pre-season. He has taken the opportunity to take an extended break in Dubai with his family whilst he recovers from the injury with the medical team working with him remotely on his rehabilitation.
Jack Dunn – Unfortunately, Jack has had another small setback with a minor hamstring strain. He has been working so hard to get back available for selection and has been very unlucky with further injuries. This is to be expected as he returns following a very serious knee injury that kept him out for over 18 months.
Andy Briggs – Andy had a very minor operation on his left leg last week, but has returned to training this week and is available for selection at the weekend.
Our match preview of this weekend’s game is available here. The club’s supporters coach to Garforth Town has sold out with tickets available direct from our hosts here.
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Starkies, Santa & Toy Collection – This Weekend
In our final home game before the Christmas period, we have some important things to note ahead of the game for supporters attending at Gigg Lane this weekend.
Starkies
The newly-refurbished Starkies bar We have finally received notification of permitted numbers and from this weekend, the bar in Starkies will be open before, during and briefly after the game with a private function due later in the evening.
Supporters who are seated in the Main Stand will have access to Starkies from the point the ground opens at 1.30pm, with ALL supporters able to gain access to the bar after game up to the allowable capacity.
We are delighted that the hard work, time and money that has gone into refurbishing this area for supporters to gather during games has finally come to fruition. We look forward to welcoming all this weekend and onwards. Please bear with us as we manage demand and refine the process over the coming weeks.
Santa visits Gigg
From the Pilkington programme In an event originally planned for our home game with Ramsbottom United, which was postponed on Saturday 9th December, Santa has kindly re-jigged his busy schedule at this time of year to visit Gigg Lane ahead of the Charnock game.
Santa will be on the club car park between 1.30-2.30pm.
Grab your picture, let him know what you would really like under the tree next week and there will be some small treats to give out to those who have been very good this year.
This event has been set up in conjunction with our good friends at The Rotary Club of Ramsbottom and on behalf of Bury Hospice. The collection buckets will be out in force for our generous supporters can give everything they can. We really appreciate it!
For more information on Bury Hospice and the Rotary Club of Ramsbottom, click on the below links:
Children’s Hospital – Toy Collection
In our area, very poorly children are served at either the Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital or Royal Bolton Hospital. In this festive season, we are getting behind the efforts and providing support for the Children’s Ward at the Royal Bolton Hospital.
In an event always planned for this weekend’s fixture, we are asking supporters to donate new toys to distribute to the unfortunate children who will spend their Christmas in hospital.
As supporter David Hutton, who’s daughter Isla spent two Christmases at the Royal Bolton, explains in the below article taken from the programme last month:
David’s piece in the programme last month We will be collecting toys in the Main Entrance of the Main Stand ahead of the game and Santa will be delivering these gifts directly to the hospital later in the day. Unfortunately, we cannot accept cuddly toys or anything inappropriate for young children, like toy weapons etc.
#ShakersTogether | #BuryFC | #PartofIt
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Statement on Vote Result
We are pleased to announce that the confirmatory vote for the amalgamation has been passed by both societies and we can now move on to the next stage of the process to apply to use the playing name Bury Football Club and progress the legal work required to amalgamate the two societies and form one membership, and launch a vote to establish the new Society board.
For now, please keep your membership subscriptions in place as they will be moved across to the new society as long as you continue to pay your subscription. Memberships for both societies are £5 per month or £60 per annum and they are both now open again for membership.
For the election, which will take place in a few weeks’ time, only one vote per person is allowed. So you only need to maintain one society subscription. If you are a member of both you only have one vote.
In the meantime, both existing societies and once FCA approved the new society, called The Football Supporters’ Society of Bury, will be managed by the interim board. The board members are Mike Goodier, Mike Howarth, Karl Lee, Alistair Rowe, Martin Stembridge, Dave Triggs, John Woodhead and Phil Young. Rod Peters is the non-voting secretary. You will continue to receive communication from both societies in future, and the new society once it is FCA approved. Anyone not wishing to do so can opt out of emails or terminate their membership at any time.
There is a huge amount of work to be done to get us ready to play at Gigg Lane. We look forward to welcoming you all down there in future. The interim board are first prioritising the work which needs to happen to ensure we can play league fixtures at Gigg Lane next season. This includes a number of items which the North West Counties Football League want us to address, alongside other legal requirements such as safety certificates and various licences. We will move through the other many suggestions members and volunteers have made designed to make Gigg Lane as welcoming and hospitable as possible once we have addressed the priority items.
We have established a number of volunteer committees who are managing much of the day-to-day work, and intend to extend this further and invite more people in due course.
We will launch a vote for the new home and away Bury kit in the very near future so please look out for emails and information on that over the next few days.
Become a Member of SCS HERE Become a Member BFCSS HERE The Shakers Community Society Limited Confirmatory Vote showed 98% were in favour of confirming the decision to amalgamate the two societies made at the previous General Meeting on 5th May.
1093 votes were cast, with 1073 in favour, 20 against and 13 abstentions.
We would like to place on record our sincere thanks to the Shakers Community board members who are now standing down and have been instrumental in building a successful club both on and off the pitch.
#PartOfIt | #ShakersTogether
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Statement: FA Cup Replays
Bury Football Club is in the highly unusual position of speaking from the lowly position of a club in the ninth tier of English football and as one who has actually twice won the FA Cup. These days our FA Cup campaign starts in August, before the Premier League has even started.
Cup replays have long been a staple of the competition and have provided an opportunity for non-league clubs to generate much-needed revenue and increase their profile. More importantly, the history of the competition demonstrates that replays have played a significant role in creating so many memories, which span generations of football supporters.
Last season our FA Cup run took us to within one game of the first round proper. We were eventually knocked out in October after nine FA Cup games. Three of them were replays. Manchester City won the Cup in six games, none of them replays.
We knew, even if we didn’t admit it publicly, that these cup runs would hurt our league form. We saw performances dip a little after a big cup game. They also hurt us financially. The prize fund for winners in each round is usually enough to help clubs break even for the fixture given gate receipts are split. We don’t think the players or supporters regretted a single minute of it.
We could have asked the manager to play a weakened team. He wouldn’t have accepted that and nor would our fans. The FA Cup is too important to all football supporters for us not to treat it with the respect it deserves.
All clubs and all supporters have cherished memories of FA Cup replays under the floodlights. We loved ours.
Players with full time jobs outside football will slog their way through the early rounds, making their own way to away fixtures, barely covering their own travel costs, to be watched by supporters who are genuinely excited to be travelling on a Saturday morning to places they had to Google the day before to find. The Premier League, we are told, is the ‘product’ the global market wishes to consume. The FA Cup is the beating heart of football that English fans savour. Accident, risk, failure, mud, pitches with slopes, and very occasionally last minute glory, are all part of its beauty.
This should not be a debate about the financial implications of removing replays. This is about what football supporters really want, what we love and cherish and why that is worth protecting. It about “the magic of the cup”.
Bury Football Club now stand shoulder to shoulder with other volunteer run clubs at the foot of the football pyramid, not with the modern day FA Cup winners. We would like their voice to be heard too.
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Statement: Harborough Town (a) – Emirates FA Cup Fourth Round Qualifying
Ahead of next Saturday’s FA Cup Fourth Round Qualifying tie at Harborough Town, the following match arrangements have been made.
The statement below has been provided by Harborough Town FC Board of Directors:
Ahead of the Emirates FA Cup Fourth Round Qualifying match between Harborough Town and Bury FC to be played on Saturday 12 October, we are pleased to provide the following ticket and match day information to ensure that everyone attending the game is safe and able to enjoy the football.
The match will be an ALL-TICKET event with full segregation. Fans from either club will not be allowed to enter the ground without a ticket that has been purchased in advance of the game. Tickets are not transferable.
Please do not bring flares, or any other items to the game which could be used as weapons.
Leicestershire Police will be attending the game.
Harborough Town (home supporters)
Home match tickets will only be available to purchase at the Harborough Town Community Football Ground in advance of the game – we will provide details of how and when the tickets can be purchased on our social media platforms. A reminder that Harborough Town Season Tickets are NOT valid for this game, as it is a cup competition.
On match day, we encourage Harborough Town supporters to walk to the ground if possible as the area will be exceptionally busy.
Home fans should enter and exit the ground via the double side gate in the rear car park to the right-hand side of the club house, which will be made into a temporary turnstile for this match. Stewards will be present to facilitate entry to the ground.
SIA stewards will be on the gate to perform ad-hoc searches of fans.
Home fans will have the stands on the right-hand side of the pitch, and along the bottom of the pitch nearest the club house. Food & drink will be provided as usual via the catering van and bars within the club house.
Home fans will be asked to leave the ground immediately after the game has finished.
Bury FC (away supporters)
Away match tickets will be available to purchase via Bury FC’s online ticketing service in advance of the game – Bury FC will provide details of how and when the tickets can be purchased on their social media platforms.
On match day, parking is available in the council car park adjacent to the ground as well as in agreed local designated areas – details will be supplied to Bury FC to provide to away supporters. We kindly request you to respect our residential and business neighbours, and to arrive early to avoid congestion upon entry.
Away fans should enter and exit the ground via the turnstiles on the left-hand side of the club house when entering the car park. Stewards will be present to facilitate entry to the ground.
SIA stewards will be on the gate to perform ad-hoc searches of fans.
Away fans have been allocated the area on the left-hand side of the pitch (rugby ground side), from the away dugout and along the top end of the ground. There is also provision for 100 covered seats further around the top end.
Portable toilets will be placed at the top end of the ground, along with catering facilities for food and drink.
We respectfully ask that the Bury FC fans remain in the ground for a short period of time after the game.
We thank you in advance for your co-operation, and understanding, and hope that all fans enjoy the game safely.
Harborough Town FC Board of Directors
A further statement will be made by Bury Football Club tomorrow, regarding ticketing.
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Supporter Assistance Required
We are now able to update supporters on our investigations into the crowd disorder at Squires Gate last Saturday.
Below are a series of photos that we need our supporters help in identifying.
If you can identify any of these five people please reach out to the club via email (by clicking below) or calling the club on 0161 537 9253.
Contact the Club The club will then take the appropiate action when we have more information. We thank supporters for any help that you can give.
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