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38 articles in this category
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24 Teams Announced For The North West Counties Football League Premier Division
2023-24 NWCFL Premier Division Gigg Lane will once again feel the beat of competitive men’s football from the start of next season and the FA have today announced the 24 teams who are expected to compete in the North West Counties Football League Premier Division in 2023/24.
Relegated from Step 4, we have Ramsbottom United, Colne, and Glossop North End, as well as Skelmersdale United who have been demoted due to not meeting ground regulations in the Northern Premier League.
Burscough have been reprieved at Step 5 following a 21st-placed finish last season, and Winsford United, Congleton Town and Northwich Victoria have been moved sideways to the Midland League. Supporters will be glad that FC Isle of Man remain a fixture within the NWCFL next season.
Coming up from Step 6, we have champions of their respective north and south leagues, Pilkington and Wythenshawe Amateurs, as well as play-off winners Chadderton and Cheadle Town.
Any appeals from clubs will be due to be heard ahead of the league AGM in June. Following this meeting, the final allocations will be confirmed and the start date of the season will be set. This is provisionally set as Saturday 29th July at this point.
The application for the name change to ‘Bury Football Club’ is due to be made in the coming weeks. This process can commence following a successful ratification vote, due to be announced this Friday (19th).
The numbers for the league have been confirmed and we are working towards making season tickets available over the forthcoming weeks. Please bear with us as we know there is plenty of demand to meet.
#YourTown | #YourTeam | #ShakersTogether
View the full article on the Bury AFC website
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Away Days Blog – Burscough – 25th February 2023
Welcome to the latest official away days blog from our resident gonzo journo, James Beedie. He continues to take us on his travels to our away games this season, concentrating as much on the experience of the day as of the actual football itself.
This time out, it’s a trip to West Lancashire with James wondering what accents he was going to be faced with for a game which, on paper, seemed an easy one…
Burscough remains one of the few sides in the division that we have yet to meet, another fixture delayed by weather and cup runs means we will play them twice in fairly quick succession. Given their lowly placing in the division this looks on the surface like an easy three points but at this stage in the season there is no such thing, especially when playing against a side in need of a win.
Second-bottom but still in with a fighting chance of pulling off the great escape Burscough have had a tough campaign. With only two wins in the league before the end of November Burscough seemed doomed before hitting a sudden purple patch over the winter. Wins over Prestwich Heys, Squires Gate, Isle of Man and Charnock Richard brought them right back into contention but since then have struggled on the back of consecutive defeats. Getting back to winning ways last week away at Irlam the Linnets know that any chance they have at staying up means getting something from every match, even when those matches include the likes of Bury AFC and Wythenshawe Town.
I’m not that familiar with Burscough and wasn’t sure what to make of them. I knew of Burscough Bridge a structure synonymous with the town and that the local football club was once home to both Dave Nugent and Ryan Lowe in the early 2000s but that’s about it. I wasn’t even sure what their accents would be like, Burscough is typically roped in with the likes of Ormskirk and Skelmersdale as West Lancashire towns that are essentially considered to be extensions to Merseyside. I wasn’t even sure what the accents of the local residents would be and was fully expecting a Scouse voice at the turnstile.
The route to the match however was a familiar traipse through Lancashire. After a quick run up to Chorley I turned off the motorway and took a pleasant drive through the heart of the Lancashire countryside passing farms and small villages along the way.
Arriving at Burscough, a small town in itself but probably the largest single place since Chorley I turned off the main street just after crossing the bridge and turned down a narrow street parking just round the corner from the local Tescos.
The walk to the ground was a little longer than I had expected. Their ground, the new Victoria Park, was built further down the path from the original ground. Little but the closed and rundown clubhouse remains from the original home of the Linnets as newly built houses occupy what was once the pitch and there are signs that these new houses will extend into the gap that Burscough’s current ground fills.
Along the walk with fellow Bury fans we saw a large square white building out in the distance. Looking oddly out of place among the fields on all sides of it, like a monolith in a Kubrick film. We discovered this would one day serve as the new clubhouse to a completed ground that currently serves as home to both Burscough FC and Skelmersdale United however for now it would only be used as changing facilities for the teams while fans would have to settle for a beer tent out the front or queuing by the hutch near the turnstiles.
Arriving at the turnstiles and discovering our hosts were not Scouse and were most certainly Lancashire, wielding the sort of slightly posh Lancashire accents that make them distinct from the Burnleys and Accringtons of this world, I felt I already had a greater understanding of the place.
In and out though a mini wooden maze that the turnstiles presented and emerging with my entry paid and programmes in my hand I looked upon the ground for today. A simple wooden fence hemmed the whole ground in but really there was nowhere beyond the ground to go to. Open fields on all sides gave the ground a hugely open feel. The only structure as of yet is a metal seated grandstand that runs along the pitch and appears on the right as you enter.
Clearly much more is to be built here as this is still a recent development and all good grounds take time to build character but it was quite a simple set up. The all weather surface has proved to be useful this season and will be a money earner and a community asset for the future I have no doubt. The ground is full of potential as there is near unlimited space to build upon except for the far end of the ground that backs out onto the train lines. On all sides of the pitch a narrow tarmac path is set out for fans to stand around pitchside and lean against the green metal railings but on three sides of the pitch this is then surrounded by a grass banking. With much of the pitchside already accounted for many fans ignored the ‘stay off the grass’ signs and climbed to the top of the banking offering a rare high view of the pitch.
I met up with my friends the Hamers and after a quick lap of the pitch took our places opposite the entrance to the ground. The sun was just peeking out of the cloud cover and for the first time in I don’t know how many months I felt the warmth of the sun on my back.
I saw the team warm up with some returning players. MJ Monaghan, only recently revealing his long absence from the team was related to his health and concerned a heart condition. Only revealing this news after he got the all clear to return to full training we were all very grateful to see him out and about again though he would not make the squad for the match. The team news came out and contained a few surprises. Harry Brazel was absent, the rumour being he was on holiday, and so Charlie Doyle continued his tour of Bury’s midfield by lining up as the number 10 for this match having previously played at number 4 as well as a number 8 and out on the wing. The rest of the midfield was boosted by the returns of Chris Rowney and Kris Holt. Niall Cummins was given the nod up front for Bury while it was all change on the wings from the midweek match against West Didsbury and Chorlton. The combination of Gilboy, Higgins and Hellawell replaced by Comber, Doyle and a first start for Sam Unwin.
On Burscough’s team there was no sign of Sope Awe and Billy Ahmed, two players that had looked like decent prospects for Bury all the way back in preseason. Neither of them lasted long once the season started for real and both headed west to Burscough though clearly neither of them stayed. Also missing from the team was former Bury FC forward Chris Sang who had recently joined the Linnets but former Ramsbottom United keeper Charlie Monks would be in goal and in Edward Servuts Burscough have one of the more prolific strikers in the division. Twenty goals already this season despite their league position.
The two teams came out ahead of the match led out by referee Jacob Viera a little after 3 o’clock. The kick off was then delayed a little further when one of Viera’s assistants spotted that one of the goals at one end didn’t have the netting correctly fitted so a longer delay occurred as a groundsman had to fix the problem. In the end he used what looked to be a black shoelace to tie the netting onto the post that Jack Atkinson would be guarding in the first half. At long last and more than five minutes late the match began.
Bury started the match positively with a Comber shot blocked, an Unwin cross headed out before it could fall to Cummins and the resulting corner saw Joe Denman head just wide of goal. When Unwin shot just over the bar again it felt like it was only a matter of time before Bury would take the lead.
When it arrived it came off another incident from the influential Unwin. Fouled in the build up of an attack the resulting free kick was swung in by Jack Tinning for Niall Cummins to head home his eighth goal of the season. It was a good time to score with Bury in the ascendancy early. The goal taking some of the pressure off. It feels like Cummins has been coming into his own recently though for whatever reason he has been mainly scoring in the cups, his last four goals prior to this one all coming in the FA Vase.
Bury pushed for a second Charlie Doyle twice going close with one shot that was palmed away by home keeper Charlie Monks and another that cleared the bar. As the first half progressed however it was the home side that grew in strength. From my position I could hear Jack bark his orders to his defenders as the Linnets pushed to take the match to Bury. From a corner Burscough defender Lewis Willingham headed the ball onto the post. “That was the moment”, I thought.
With barely seconds left of the opening period Matty Williams barged over Nuno Costa in the box and referee Jacob Viera pointed to the spot. Burscough’s number nine Edward Servuts stepped up to take the spot kick with twenty goals to his name already this season, but he could not add to it on this occasion. Jack Atkinson dived down to his left and forced the ball away maintaining Bury’s lead into the break.
The second half was a far harder task for the visitors. Attempts on goal were at a premium with only a couple of loose half chances well wide of the target and none of them troubling Monks. At the other end Bury’s tiring defence had to withstand the onslaught of the Burscough attack and contend with the pace of Xenon Bahula and Nuno Costa especially.
The defence held out admirably and finally the full time whistle rang out and Bury AFC’s unbeaten run extended by one more match. “Made hard work of that” was the often repeated phrase around the terraces as fans made their way home but as we enter the business end of the season the most important thing is the three points that were secured by the moment of magic by Cummins, the tireless hard working defence all match and the great penalty save by Jack Atkinson.
I made my way back up the long path back to the Silver Shark, making a quick stop at the Tescos before heading home. As I began the drive back with the victory mint already eaten I thought about the match. It was another match done, another away trip completed and another three points earned but the fact remains we have some tough matches coming up, Wythenshawe Town and Northwich Victoria at home in the league and Congleton away in the Vase. We need to find a way to be at our best in this difficult run in order to win some of the tougher matches that will be coming our way soon.
I turned back the way I came in, the Silver Shark twisting through the country lanes back to Chorley before turning south for home.
To catch up with any of James’ blogs from last season’s championship-winning run and away games so far from this season, you can head to the ‘Fear and Loathing’ website HERE.
#BuryAFC | #ByTheFans | #ForTheFans
View the full article on the Bury AFC website
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Away Days Blog – Congleton Town (League Match) – 14th February 2023
Welcome to the latest official away days blog from our resident gonzo journo, James Beedie. He continues to take us on his travels to our away games this season, concentrating as much on the experience of the day as of the actual football itself.
This time out, it’s a midweek trip to Cheshire to face a dress rehearsal for the forthcoming FA Vase qurter-final…
I’m the first to admit this felt a little like after the Lord Mayors show. I was tired, I’m sure the players were even more tired and the prospect of another trip to the edge of the Cheshire Staffordshire border felt like a bridge too far. Congleton Town are one of the better sides in the division, have multiple ex-league players in their ranks and have the best home record in the North West Counties. Combine that with Bury’s record this season of struggling in the first league match after a big cup tie I just had a horrible feeling Bury AFC’s 14-match unbeaten run in the league might be coming to an end. I would definitely take a draw in the circumstances.
I set off a little late for one of the longer away matches in the league this season, even in regionalised football there are still midweek away matches that still clash with finishing time at work. Making my way with some urgency I suffered my way around the M60 before turning onto the M62 and M6. After whizzing down dark country roads in Cheshire I approached Congleton itself. No sooner had I seen signs for the football ground I began to see cars parked on every spare bit on pavement on every street on the approach to the ground. After a long detour I managed to find a spare patch of space to leave the Shark and headed back the way I came in the direction of The Cleric Stadium.
Walking through the turnstiles that appears alone on the side of the street and making my way up the few steps up to the ground I laid eyes on the toughest away pitch in the league. It was surprisingly quiet around the pitch for how busy the streets were. The ground is fairly small for a club like Congleton Town with aims to play at a much higher level. The ground sits inside an estate surrounded by houses on all sides. Hemmed in, the ground can only hold so many. The 1500 capacity was a hinderance for them last season when they played Macclesfield, due to crowd trouble in the away match and the large attendance expected Congleton had to shift their home tie to Crewe Alexandra’s Gresty Road. The capacity wouldn’t be challenged tonight but we all knew what lies in store for both clubs next month.
Of the eight remaining sides in the FA Vase this season, three of them are in the North West Counties so there was a 2 in 7 chance we’d be playing someone familiar and so it proved. The day before this match live on TalkSport 2 radio Bury AFC were drawn away against Congleton Town making this match tonight merely the dress rehearsal to the winner takes all contest in March.
This match still has a great deal riding on it. Congleton Town still has an outside chance at a late run at promotion while Bury benefit from a midweek match when the likes of Avro, Wythenshawe Town and Vauxhall Motors all had the night off, a positive result takes another match off the busy schedule and another step closer to the chasing pack.
I made my way round the the back of the main stand towards the clubhouse and discovered where all the fans had got to. With a refreshment hut out the front and a bar inside the clubhouse was buzzing with activity pre-match. Inside the hive long queues snaked to the bar while every table was filled with fans escaping the cold outside. The bar looked smart, bright and clean. Possibly recently refurbished its walls were filled with pictures of Congleton sides from long ago, framed shirts and multiple wide-screen TVs currently showing a BBC documentary on football and Pablo Escobar. The bar sold Madri which was a win for me plus a handful of other decent beers and ciders. sadly no programmes were available tonight but at least I managed to get a pin badge.
After catching up with a few of the usual suspects I met up with the uncle. This is his local side, having lived in neighbouring Biddulph for years whenever he wasn’t able to watch Bury play he would watch a local side round here. For a while there was Biddulph Victoria, best known for producing a young forward by the name of Tom Pope before the EFL beckoned. When they folded the uncle would watch Congleton Town. He was able to give me background on the club, from Richard Duffy the former Port Vale man was now the player/manager at Congleton to David Parton the former Whitchurch Alport keeper who was signed after playing a blinder against the hosts. The unique look to Congleton Town’s home shirt is a nod to two local sides. Congleton Town had always played in white and black in the past but after a merger with a local side Congleton Vale, who would become the junior set-up at Congleton Town a new kit was made up. Now the home kit had a black sash running diagonally across a white half of the shirt and a yellow half of the shirt that from the back looks all yellow. It must prove a nightmare for some clubs that play in either white or yellow.
For this match Bury would make what feels like a rare outing of the whole of their blue and brown away kit. Our own colour scheme has caused some issues whoever we have played away at a side that play in blue and our only kit options have been a home kit with blue shorts and socks or an away kit with a blue shirt. Compromise being the name of the game Bury AFC’s tireless kitman has on multiple occasions had the team out in white shirts and brown shorts. Hopefully, next season’s away kit causes fewer issues.
The teams were already coming out as we left the clubhouse and stood along the halfway line as the two sides came out. Bury were missing Jimmy Moore through suspension and Kris Holt through illness so Charlie Doyle was handed his first start and Sean Higgins was back in the starting eleven.
We could see that Bury would be shooting towards the top of the ground where a fully covered terrace hung over the goal at that end. We made our way back towards that end of the ground just as the match began. The score had changed before we even got there.
In only the first minute of the match with fans still entering the ground a smart flick on by Ben Wharton found Connor Comber, the flag stayed down and he was one-on-one with goalkeeper David Parton. He slotted the ball past the Bears keeper and with barely 45 seconds on the clock Bury had the lead. The uncle and I made our way round to an empty spot behind the goal with the team still celebrating their early goal.
The lead should have been doubled straight from the restart. Lewis Gilboy unnoticed and unmarked on the left-hand side was fed the ball and had only Parton to beat but lifted his effort over the bar. We could barely believe what we were seeing. I had fully expected a hard and long drawn-out battle. Both sides had tough away fixtures in the Vase, both would have probably wanted this fixture to be played at a less hectic time in the season yet Bury who had completed the longest journey out of anyone still in the FA Vase on the weekend came out of the blocks flying and should really have been 2-0 up.
Bury would go close a few more times in the opening half with Joe Denman heading over and Harry Brazel shooting wide of goal while Congleton were largely restricted to chances from set pieces. Neither side however could find a way past either goalkeeper for the rest of the half.
At the break I made my way back to the clubhouse where most of the other fans had also gathered. I was pleased with how Bury had played but I was conscious of the narrow lead. Despite the great early chances it was only the opening minute goal by Connor Comber that separated the two sides, and while the home side hadn’t yet really challenged Jack Atkinson the team had gradually tired in the last ten minutes or so of the half with more and more of the possession going Congleton’s way. In the home match it had been a closely contested match where Bury hung on for a 2-1 win after a siege on goal in the last ten minutes of the match. I worried that this match might end up being a similar story.
The second half was a far more physical spectacle, barely seconds into the action and as I made my way round to the other goalmouth I heard a loud collision, the smacking sound of a high speed coming together of shinpad on shinpad as Connor Comber and Jordi Nsaka collided and sent both men to the ground.
This was then matched by a coming together between Harry Brazel and Congleton player/manager Richard Duffy. The referee blew his whistle and appeared to award a free kick to Bury. Brazel picked the ball up and was immediately tackled round the waist and thrown to the ground by Duffy in something that would get him cautioned in rugby let alone football. After the resulting melee filled with pushing and shoving on all sides the referee booked Duffy, then booked Brazel ostensibly for being fouled, or perhaps for his incredulousness about how Duffy was still somehow on the field of play. To add insult to injury the referee had forgotten which way he was awarded the free kick and allowed Congleton to restart play.
Duffy was at the centre of things again, lashing out at Connor Comber off the ball ahead of a Bury free kick. No sanction was levied against Duffy who otherwise would surely have been dismissed. The referee appeared to be ready to take action on Comber before his assistant intervened, though again he didn’t intervene enough to do anything about the source of these issues.
On the attacking front while Bury did have chances in the second half, it was clear that the home side were growing into the match. Ben Wharton during one attack was fouled in the box and denied a second stonewall penalty in as many league matches. While Wharton does have a reputation in this league I found it incredible that he got nothing for that. At this rate Wharton isn’t going to earn a free kick from these refs unless an opponent shoots him, the only way one of his markers are ever going to get a booking is if his marker is Jack the Ripper. Wharton’s substitute Niall Cummins saw his header from a Higgins cross saved and late on Gilboy curled a shot just wide of Parton’s cross to complete Bury’s attacking output in the second half.
At the other end Peter Williams and Daniel Needham both had chances that required good saves from Jack Atkinson while former Bury AFC man Leon Arnasalam came on and caused trouble down Bury’s left wing.
In the dying minutes with Bury’s goal under siege and keeper Parton going up for a corner Bury had the chance for a breakaway. Comber had the ball on the left wing but lost the ball on the halfway line. The quickly taken throw-in caused another scramble in the Bury box and Jonathan Beaumont broke through and fired past Atkinson in the 94th minute.
In his exuberant celebrations, in which he removed his shirt, he forgot he had earlier been booked and so the referee finally sent a Bears player packing. The goal was devastating in its lateness but in all honesty was coming. Congleton deserved something from this match and while the Bury defence held out manfully it couldn’t last forever especially away at a side like this. As one fan would say post-match “Had the equaliser been in the 63rd minute we wouldn’t feel like this.”
I was a little disappointed in Comber in those last few seconds. Hindsight is 20:20 and all that but his losing the ball on the halfway line spelled disaster for the team in the dying seconds. With no Congleton player in their half, not even the goalkeeper, Comber was the most advanced player on the pitch closely followed by his marker. He wanted to keep the ball in play and run it closer so he could have a good chance at scoring again or maybe he planned to run the ball into the corner. I think if he could have had the moment back again he should have just booted the ball up field. Try a goal from the halfway line, if it goes in Bury have won, if it goes anywhere else a Congleton player would have to sprint half the length of the pitch to retrieve the ball and then either boot it long and hope or cover half the length of the pitch to bring it back again. There really wasn’t time for them to do that so any punt forward was likely to win the match for Bury. In the end the loss of possession for a throw-in meant the ball being flung back into a disorganised and still resetting Bury backline that needed just a few seconds more to prepare. Such are the margins in football, those seconds never came and Bury missed out on two hard-earned points.
Bury had one last chance from a free kick but Parton easily claimed it and both sides settled for a point. With Congleton having the best home record in the division a point here was well-earned but due to the late goal conceded, it felt like two points dropped.
I slowly trudged my way back to the exit. Bury would have to come back and do this all over again in a winner takes all battle in the FA Vase. The unbeaten run continues but the recent record of seven wins in a row in all competitions had come to an end. Fighting a war on two fronts I hard especially with so many battles coming in thick and fast but with the long exile from the Neuven over at least it will be a little easier to get to the matches. I made my way back to the Silver Shark and quietly headed for home.
To catch up with any of James’ blogs from last season’s championship-winning run and away games so far from this season, you can head to the ‘Fear and Loathing’ website HERE.
#BuryAFC | #ByTheFans | #ForTheFans
View the full article
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Bury AFC Men’s Goal Of The Season 2022/23 Vote
We’ve had a wild ride this year and seen some spectacular goals, but who has scored your goal of the season?
Members of Shakers Community are now able to place their vote to help us find our Goal Of The Season for 2022/23 Voting is now open and to enable the trophies to be made in time for our end of season awards, the poll will only be open until 5pm on Wednesday 10th May. You can watch the 13 finalist goals below to remind yourself.
So what are you waiting for? Login and pick your winner: Bury AFC Men’s Goal Of The Season 2022/23 Vote – Bury AFC
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Bury AFC Women’s Goal Of The Season 2022/23 Vote
We’ve had a wild ride this year and seen some spectacular goals, but who has scored your goal of the season?
Members of Shakers Community are now able to place their vote to help us find our Goal Of The Season for 2022/23 Voting is now open and to enable the trophies to be made in time for our end of season awards, the poll will only be open until 5pm on Wednesday 10th May. You can watch the 13 finalist goals below to remind yourself
So what are you waiting for? Login and pick your winner: Bury AFC Women’s Goal Of The Season 2022/23 Vote – Bury AFC
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End March Management Accounts
These are the consolidated management accounts for Shakers Community and Bury AFC covering the period to end March 2023. They cover both the men’s and women’s teams and our financial year starts from 1st July so year to date figures refer to that start point. Use the navigation buttons at the bottom of the page to change page, and zoom out to view all tables.
Bury-AFC-Member-Report-Bury-AFC-Member-Pack-Mar-2023-1
If you prefer to download via a new window please click here.
Ask any questions below and we will endeavour to answer where possible. Some information may be commercially sensitive.
View the full article on the Bury AFC website
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Get Involved: Volunteer Your Time at Gigg Lane
The hard work continues as we turn Gigg Lane around in time for the 2023-24 season.
As much as the ground has been operating for the past 12 months, and the pitch is currently undergoing it’s summer regeneration, there is plenty to do both inside and outside the ground in preparation for staging games from July.
The main focus of the working groups involved so far has been to establish the various works that are necessary to both stage and operate out of Gigg Lane. These continue to be worked upon in conjunction with the Council and other associated bodies.
We do thankfully have lots of supporters getting in touch itching to get involved in whatever way they can and we welcome anyone and everyone looking to #GetGiggGleaming.
For the fundamental jobs of cleaning seats, jet-washing and sweeping walkways and clearing rubbish, the ground is officially open from 10am this weekend (3rd – 4th June) for anyone to turn up and get cracking. Just sign-in on entry and look for the ground-based team to direct you to the job of the day.
We urge all supporters to bring any equipment they can to assist in this clean up – sweeping brushes, buckets, cleaning clothes etc.
#VolunteersWeek (1st – 7th June)
In line with Volunteer’s Week we are also making preparations for new season and keen to hear from anyone who is considering their availability to help in the running of the club and operations down at Gigg Lane.
As has been shown across the last few seasons, volunteers are the key to the success and whereas we are blessed with a number of enthused and hard-working individuals who are part of a number of working groups already, many hands make light work so we are keen to hear from you.
We have volunteers who are very hands on, to those who are not local and work predominantly on a remote basis. A flavour of the areas our volunteers currently cover are as follows:
Matchday ground staff (net movers / pitch forking and maintenance / stretcher bearers) & administrators Fundraisers and idea generation Broadcasters, film-makers / camera technicians and media runners Match photographers Presenters, musicians and DJs Graphic designers and video editors Match reporters / writers Website technicians and content creators Merchandise and programme sellers Hospitality providers General match day stewards, customer service and crowd assistance Accounting and Book-keepers Now is the perfect time to get involved if you want to join the journey in time for the 2023/24 season, click on the below button to fill out a form with SurveyMonkey:
Volunteer Survey #Community | #ShakersTogether | #PartOfIt | #GetGiggGleaming
View the full article on the Bury AFC website
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Happy Ryan Lowe Day!
The 25th of April 2011 was a day that will always hold a special place in our hearts. It was the day our club secured a crucial 3-2 victory over Chesterfield, which saw us gain promotion to League One despite losing Alan Knill a month prior.
The game got off to a nervy start for Bury, as Steven Schumacher picked up a yellow card just two minutes into the match. Probing of defences was undertaken by both teams until Tom Lee's goal in the 12th minute gave Bury the lead.
We can all agree the game was an absolute rollercoaster ride, with both teams creating chances and the scoreline constantly changing. As a fan, I was on the edge of my seat throughout the match, cheering us on every time Bury pushed forward and holding my breath whenever Chesterfield attacked.
Bury maintained their lead until the second half when Craig Davies' goal in the 50th minute equalised, but it wasn’t long until David Worrall's goal in the 55th minute put Bury ahead again. Chesterfield refused to give up, and Jack Lester's goal in the 63rd minute gave Chesterfield hope of a comeback.
With just minutes remaining, Bury's talismanic striker Ryan Lowe stepped up to score the first of his two goals, making the score 3-2 and setting up a thrilling finale. And in the dying minutes of the game, Lowe scored the decisive goal in the 87th minute, sending the travelling fans into raptures and securing promotion to League One.
Looking back, it was a truly unforgettable game and a fantastic achievement for Bury FC. Despite the field setbacks, the team showed tremendous resilience and character to mount a comeback and secure the victory we needed to earn promotion. As a fan, I will never forget that day as one of the greatest in the history of our club.
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HIGHLIGHTS - Bury AFC 5 - 1 Winsford United
FULL TIME
Connor Comber gets a fully-deserved hat-trick, and goals from Gilboy and ElHassan round out an excellent afternoon to end the season! Daniel Boden with Winsford's early goal. Bury AFC 5 - 1 Winsford United #BuryAFC | #YourTown | #YourTeam
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Hope + Glory to be kit supplier for the New Season
As indicated within the ratification vote on Friday (view results here), the two societies Shakers Community and Bury FC Supporters Society will now amalgamate to form a joint society which will mean that competitive men’s football will again feature at Gigg Lane from this summer.
As outlined in the Interim Board’s first address following the ratification vote (available here), the first stage to move the club towards a new season at Gigg Lane, is what kit will the ‘White & Blue Army’ (both men’s and women’s sides) will run out in from July onwards.
We are now pleased to announce that Oldham-based Hope + Glory Sportswear will continue to provide the kit and training wear in 2023-24. A popular local business and a brand particularly familiar to non-league football supporters, we have outlined the benefits that Hope + Glory bring to the club below.
A bespoke kit is a chance to make a statement
There are plenty of famous sportswear brands making football kits but they are based on generic templates so other than copies, one kit looks pretty much the same as another. As we have seen with the kits provided for the club over the past three seasons, a bespoke kit sets us out from others. A new season at Gigg Lane is another momentous occasion which we feel is right to celebrate with another classic set of kits for supporters to wear with pride.
It also allows us to provide members with the opportunity to vote for the kit design they like the most, and we expect to have the options in front of you soon.
It rewards fans as well as the club
The revenue the club receives from Hope + Glory is similar to that offered by the big brands. We could make more money by using alternative suppliers, but we found that the quality of kit and design suffers as a consequence. We think you’ll be delighted with the quality of the new kit, which will include a stitched badge.
In addition our contract allows for a new home and away kit once every two years. This rewards fans who purchase shirts as they know they will last for at least two seasons. After this year, we can move into a cycle of alternating new home and away kits once every two years. So there will be a new home or away kit to vote on each season but never both at the same time.
Convenience and choice
We know there are Bury fans throughout the country and plenty overseas. As part of our deal with Hope + Glory they will host and manage an online shop with shipping offered nationally and internationally to cater for those people who aren’t always able to get to the ground. As we are able to produce the kits to order rather than just hold stock, we can offer a huge range of sizes to cater for men, women and children. As a volunteer run club this allows us to offer a service we couldn’t provide on our own.
Environmentally friendly EcoKit
As part of our commitment to a sustainable future, each kit is made using using rPET (Recycled Polyethylene Terephthalate) with a significantly lower environmental impact than virgin polyester. Every shirt is manufactured using a piece of fabric made from approximately 16 recycled plastic bottles. You won’t notice the difference, they still have a premium, smooth feel to them and are lighter than polyester.
Further details about the new designs for The Shakers’ kit, and how to vote for the one you love, will be released soon so make sure you are #PartOfIt.
#PartOfIt | #ShakersTogether
View the full article on the Bury AFC website
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It Gets Me Home, This Curving Track
The amalgamation vote has been overwhelmingly approved by both societies and we will return to Gigg Lane next season. You can view the results here.
It never seems like it at the time, but the more painful route is often the more valuable.
Over the last few months every idea and opportunity has been explored, all avenues walked down, all stones turned over. It’s led us back here, with no regrets and with no ifs or buts left to debate. We are left with the right decision as it was the only decision. The arguments are no longer exhausting, they are exhausted. Thank god for that.
Modern life constantly asks us to make choices. Between one thing or another, this idea or that. Sometimes the answer is both. We don’t need to choose one and abandon the other. This was one of those moments.
This vote preserves the old and the new, history, present and future, nothing and nobody is lost or left behind. It was never a choice between one thing or another.
Voting yes means voting for both. It means everything. It means all of us. It will take all of us to make the future work, so it was the only way to set us off on the right track.
A more direct route would have been easier but we would have learned less along the way. We now know more. We know how to play an active role in our football club. Our sense of agency has never been stronger. All this makes us better prepared. And the curving track still got us home.
Thank you to everyone who voted and thank you to all the people who kept us going during some difficult times. We look forward to seeing you all at Gigg Lane for the start of the new season.
From the Shakers Community Board
View the full article on the Bury AFC website
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Jake Williams Departs
The club is sad to announce the departure of Bury AFC Women first team manager Jake Williams.
Jake joined us shortly after the team was first established in April 2021. In that time he has been instrumental in guiding the team to great honours and achievements, most notably back to back league championships and subsequent promotions. Furthermore, in those 2 seasons, the team only lost 1 league game. They also reached several cup semi finals and an impressive 3rd qualifying round of the Women’s FA Cup.
Jake leaves the club with our sincere gratitude and he will be sadly missed by all. We would like to thank him for his relentless hard work and commitment and we wish him all the best for the future, in all that he does.
Steven Mainwaring, Jake’s Assistant Manager has now been appointed as Manager and will start to plan for next season with the rest of the staff. We will soon be releasing details of retained players for the 23/24 season and expect to recruit well in the upcoming trials.
View the full article on the Bury AFC website
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Live Stream: Bury AFC vs Burscough
You are viewing a stream of the this evening’s fixture against Burscough in the NWCFL Premier Division at Seel Park, Mossley. Kick-off is 7.45pm.
If you are experiencing issues with the stream, please refresh the page in the first instance.
#ByTheFans | #ForTheFans | #YourTown | #YourTeam | #OnOurWay
View the full article
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Live Stream: Bury AFC vs Longridge Town
You are viewing a stream of the Good Friday fixture against Longridge Town in the NWCFL Premier Division at Seel Park, Mossley. Kick-off is 3pm.
If you are experiencing issues with the stream, please refresh the page in the first instance.
#ByTheFans | #ForTheFans | #YourTown | #YourTeam | #OnOurWay
View the full article
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Match Info: Barnoldswick Town (A), Tues 18th Apr (7.45pm KO)
After a long end to a very long weekend, in what has felt like a long season, we enter the final few days before we pack away the 2022/23 season!
A 3-2 loss on Saturday at the Douglas Bowl, was perhaps not the result that was wanted or what the lads deserved for their performance which came less than 48 hours after leaving the pitch against Burscough. The Ravens’ goal led a charmed life, with goalkeeper Ben Wilkinson earning the man of the match after a number of saves to keep the three points in the Manx isle.
However, the play from Bury throughout was quick and deserved more. A fact displayed by the adoring fans, around 700 in total, who stayed on at the end of the game to cycle their renditions of the songs that had been ringing in the ears of the locals since at least Friday! You can see a full nine minutes of those after-match celebrations to the right.
The celebrations of the season carried on into the Douglas evening, as fans and players alike gathered in the capital across the various bars and restaurants. The weekend as a whole, despite the result, had been a huge success for both the island and the supporters who had travelled.
That was until the fog set in to disrupt a lot of the travel arrangements to return to the UK from early on Sunday morning, with the players and staff joining hundreds of players by being marooned on the island for another night.
Thankfully, most seem to have returned safely during Monday with another quick turnaround as we head up to Barlick this Tuesday evening for our final away fixture of the season. All your match information is available below.
Opponents – Barnoldswick Town
Formed in 1972 and named Barnoldswick United(1972) – so called due to being canny Yorkshiremen- had there been a previous club named Barnoldswick United and they had outstanding debts the new club would have been liable for them.
The field started out as a grazing meadow for cattle, after a lot of hard work, it is now the pitch they play on. The club had 2 teams playing in the Craven & District Football League, in the early 1990’s they joined the East Lancashire Football League again with 2 teams.
In the late 1990’s they had three teams their 1st & 2nd team teams joined The West Lancashire Football League, their 3rds staying in The East Lancashire League.
The 2003/2004 season brought the amalgamation of Barnoldswick United (1972), Barnoldswick Park Rovers and Salterforth Juniors and they changed their name to Barnoldswick Town Football Club.
It has always been in the club’s constitution to get the ground up to the minimum standards of The North West Counties Football League and the 2009/2010 season saw them accepted into The North West Counties Football League.
Barlick have had to fit in as many games as we have following a number of postponements since the turn of the year, including our previous planned visit in February. They currently sit just above the relegation spots, but with both of these settled (Burscough joined Ashton Athletic over weekend), they are in no danger of trouble now. Highlights of Barlick’s visit to the Neuven, and that diving header from Harry Brazel, in early December can be found below.
Tickets & Admission
Admission Prices: Adults £7, Concessions £3, U16s £1, U12s FREE.
Advanced Tickets: To secure your ticket ahead of the game, email Barlick Secretary direct on the below details: secretary.barnoldswicktownfc@gmail.com
Programme Price: £1.00
Ground Facilities: Licenced Bar with plenty of seating available. Tea bar selling hot and cold food. There is also plenty of covered seating behind the goal as well as covered standing both behind the goal and down the side of the ground.
Travel & Car Parking
Address: Silentnight Stadium, Greenberfield Lane, Barnoldswick, BB18 5EN.
Travel by train: Nearest train station Colne (5.8 miles)
Travel by public bus: The M5 service serves Barnoldswick half-hourly (from Burnley), timetable available HERE.
Travel by car:
From M65: M65 to end (Colne), straight on at the round-a-bout, through two sets of traffic lights to round-a-bout. Turn left to Barnoldswick. On entering Barnoldswick through traffic lights straight on at mini round-a-bout, through built up area. On leaving built up area turn right into Green Berfield Lane (Club signposted). Bear right on track to rear of ground and car park.
From A56 Gisburn: Turn right signposted Barnoldswick. On entering built up area turn left onto Green Berfield lane, (Club signposted). Bear on track to rear of ground and car park.
Car Parking: The club has a large, free car park which is situated behind the club room (BB18 5EN).
If you do park locally to the ground, supporters attending the game are requested to be mindful of local residents when parking around the ground. Please leave space for residents to access properties at all times.
Live Coverage
There will be no live stream available for this game.
Roch Valley Radio will be broadcasting live audio commentary also via their website, downloadable app or on your Smart Speaker (by asking ‘Play Roch Valley Radio’). For more information, head to the Roch Valley website HERE.
#ByTheFans | #ForTheFans | #YourTown | #YourTeam | #OnOurWay | #2togo
View the full article on Bury AFC website
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Match Info: Burscough FC (H, Seel Park), Thur 13th Apr (7.45pm KO)
We head into the final couple of weeks of the season, with still a chance of reaching the top two spots. Champions Vauxhall Motors claimed the top spot at weekend, with ourselves, Avro and our weekend opponents Wythenshawe Town, still in the hunt for second and the only play-off spot available this season.
The returning duo of Tom Greaves and Aidan Chippendale started in their first game back available for the Shakers. Chippendale scored twice in the first half to announce his return, before Town pegged the score back just ahead of the half-time break. Harry Brazel put us back ahead midway through the second half, before the three points were snatched away at the death with Dwyer leaping to take a share of the spoils.
This is going to be tight, with Avro and Wythenshawe both having two games left, but with Wythenshawe further behind and needing the teams around them to slip up to have a chance of progressing into second. We have #4togo and if we win them all, we can reach 89 points. As can Avro. All to play for.
What we need to do, is focus on winning our games. And we do that by being together. Get down tonight and cheer the lads on! Match info available below.
Opponents – Burscough FC
Following the Second World War the present Burscough club was founded in 1946, starting life in the Liverpool County Combination. In only their second season, 1946/47, they achieved a unique treble, winning the Lancashire Junior Cup, George Mahon Cup and the Liverpool Challenge Cup.
In 1982 the Club became founder members of the North West Counties Football League and had the distinction of becoming the Leagues first ever Champions under Bryan Griffiths.
In more recent times, following the resignation of John Davison the club appointed Shaun Teale as player/manager in May 2002 and the ex-Aston Villa defender went on to sensationally lead the club to its greatest ever achievement as Burscough became the smallest club to ever win the FA Trophy following a tremendous 2-1 victory over Tamworth at Villa Park on Sunday 18th May 2003 in front of a crowd of 14,296 spectators and televised live on Sky. There were incredible scenes as almost 2,000 fans welcomed the team home to Victoria Park.
An incredible end to 2003/04 season saw Burscough finish with a remarkable run of victories that saw them claw their way out of the bottom three into the play-offs for Conference North. Despite playing all their games away from home the Linnets went on to reach the play-off final where they only went down at Bradford Park Avenue following extra-time. During the summer Frank Parr stepped down after 30 years as chairman with local businessman Chris Lloyd taking over at the helm.
Season 2005/06 was another historic one for Burscough F.C. as they went on to reach the Second Round proper of the F.A. Cup for the first time in their history. In reaching that milestone they defeated League One side Gillingham 3-2 on a never to be forgotten day at Victoria Park before going out to Burton Albion.
Despite spending many a season in the higher reaches of the non-league pyramid, financial difficulties through the 2010s lead to Burscough ending up back in the NWCFL in 2017.
Last Time Out
We came away from Burscough with the victory back in February An early goal from Niall Cummins bringing all three points home. Highlights below.
Burscough have been a bit of a mixed bag these last few weeks, with 2 wins, 2 draws and 2 defeats in their last six.
This season so far, Town have nine wins and six draws from their 39 games and sit in 21st place on 33 points.
Tickets & Admission
Tickets for this game are available to purchase here.
£8 – Adults £20 – Hospitality U16s – FREE (with paying adult) £3 – Match Programme can be secured online to pick up at the ground We are encouraging fans to please buy their tickets ahead of time if possible. With the ground expecting to be busy for this game, purchasing tickets helps our volunteers in getting fans in the ground and reducing queues outside.
A pay on the day facility is available, via cash or card on the gate. If paying by cash, please try and bring the correct change to ensure smooth and quick entry to the ground.
NOTE: Half price for Mossley AFC Season Ticket Holders on the gate on presence of their ticket.
In The Ground
Our Matchday Programme (£3.00) will be available for purchase inside / outside the ground or secure yours online before the game at the above link.
Our ‘Pound for the Ground’ raffle tickets will again be on sale in and around the ground, £1 per entry. Find out about previous draws and collections made so far HERE.
The winning ticket will take home 40% of the pot on the day, with the remaining amount each week going towards the pursuit of our own ground. We thank you all for your contributions and hope you continue to support this initiative.
Travel & Car Parking
Address: Seel Park, Market Street, Mossley, Lancashire, OL5 0ES.
Ground Facilities: Clubhouse with Licenced Bar will be open, as well as a Can Bar in the ground accessed via the Mossley Club Shop. The Pie Hut will be open inside the ground for hot & cold food and drinks.
There are covered stands on three sides of the ground, with limited seating in the main stand (closest to entrance via Market Street) to the right on the below image.
Aerial view of Seel Park (looking South) Travel by coach: A 55-seat coach is being laid on FREE by the club to assist Season Ticket Holders ONLY, who would find travel to Mossley difficult. All ticket holders should now be in receipt of this email to book this coach.
Travel by train: Mossley (0.4 miles).
NOTE: A Rail Replacement Service available via Piccadilly this weekend.
Travel by tram / public bus: Tram to Ashton-under-Lyme, then take 350 bus to Mossley.
Car Parking: The car park at Seel Park is restricted to players and officials ONLY.
On-street parking is available, please be considerate of local residents at all times. A Pay & Display Car Park is available at the top of Market Street, which can be seen on entry down towards the ground. Costs £1 for all-day parking.
Live Coverage
There will be a stream available for this game look out for details, with highlights to be provided after the game.
As ever, Roch Valley Radio will be broadcasting live audio commentary also via their website, downloadable app or on your Smart Speaker (by asking ‘Play Roch Valley Radio’). For more information, head to the Roch Valley website HERE.
#ByTheFans | #ForTheFans | #YourTown | #YourTeam | #OnOurWay | #4togo
View the full article
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Match Info: FC Isle Of Man (A), Sat 15th Apr (6pm KO)
With the finishing line in sight, we finally gear up for our trip over the Irish Sea to take on FC Isle of Man at the Douglas Bowl this Saturday evening.
Supporters have been slowly arriving in the Manx Isle as the week has progressed, taking in all the area has to offer, whilst the ferries and airports will be busy on Saturday itself as around 600 Burt fans will be in attendance for our first visit to take on the Ravens at home.
In the reverse fixture back in September, an early Lewis Gilboy brace was followed up by Niall Cummins and a diving Anton Smith header for a 4-0 Bury win. Highlights of this game are available below.
Despite a change in management not long after, the Ravens have had an up and down season but have won their last three, including a 94th minute winner last time out at the Bowl when they overcame Avro.
Thursday night’s loss against Burscough put a further dent in our playoff hopes, which now means we need to rely on results elsewhere to secure second.
We expect the supporters are excited to be traveling in numbers this weekend. We have put together some information about how visitors to the island are expected to conduct themselves, you can find this HERE. Please respect the island and it’s laws at all times.
Get behind the lads and support them to the end.
All your pre-match information can be found below.
Admission
Prices as below, all pay on the gate or in advance:
Advance tickets available here.
Adult £10.00 Concession (60+) £5.00 Student £5.00 Junior (12-16) £5.00 Junior (5-11) £3.00 Child (Under 5) Free Live Stream £5.00 Order Live Stream via ticket page HERE.
The ground will be segregated for home and away fans, with Bury fans given the northern end of the ground with access only by the adjacent gate as shown below.
Opponents – FC Isle Of Man
FC Isle of Man was founded in 2020 and is a community-based football club which represents the island as a whole.
The Ravens, like ourselves, were officially accepted into the English non-league pyramid for the 2020/21 season. However, due to Covid restrictions and border controls into the island, the club were temporarily suspended from the league as it was not possible to fulfil all their fixtures by 31st May 2021, as required by the English FA.
Subsequently the season as a whole was eventually suspended due to further Covid outbreaks in early 2021 and the 2021/22 season became their first in the non-league system.
Despite going top of the division temporarily in February after a dramatic 4-3 victory over eventual league champions West Didsbury, the Ravens ultimately finished second in the league but were promoted at the first attempt after defeating New Mills in the play-off final in front of more than 3,000 spectators at the Bowl.
The Ravens go into the weekend in 16th place in the league, with any concerns over relegation firmly put to bed by winning the last three games.
Travel & Car Parking
Address: The Bowl, Pulrose Road, Douglas, Isle of Man, IM2 1RB
Travel by train: N/A
Travel by public bus: From Lord Street, Douglas, take Nr 1A bus to Power Station
From Isle of Man Airport – take Nr 1 bus to Power Station Shelter, Douglas
Car Parking: Adjacent to ground.
Ground Facilities: No Bar Facilities at the ground and no alcohol is permitted to be consumed within the ground. Food & drink kiosks will be available.
For pubs close to the ground head to the Pinewood (first 150 only) and Douglas Rugby Club, available from 2pm.
Live Coverage
Our hosts do provide a live stream of the game, tickets are available in the link higher up this page.
Roch Valley Radio will be broadcasting live audio commentary also via their website, downloadable app or on your Smart Speaker (by asking ‘Play Roch Valley Radio’). For more information, head to the Roch Valley website HERE.
#ByTheFans | #ForTheFans | #YourTown | #YourTeam | #3togo
View the full article
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Match Info: Longridge Town (H, Seel Park), Good Friday 7th Apr (3pm KO)
It is sometimes how you react, that counts.
Whilst recent results have handed the initiative to Motors, at least on paper, this squad and this manager are in not going to give up with all still to play for. Reacting to defeat well with wins against AFC Liverpool and Charnock in the last 10 days, this team knows how to bounce-back.
The fixture congestion has made this Easter weekend a busier one, with Wythenshawe Town to come on Monday at Ericstan Park and more importantly at this stage, Longridge Town on Good Friday at Seel Park. This will be our fourth of five games to be played at the home of Mossley AFC.
Back to Tuesday night, and the battle was a tough one. The better side for the first half again, until an incident on the stroke of half-time which altered the complexation of the game. MJ Monaghan harshly given his marching orders following a push in the back which took him into the grounded goalkeeper, Samuel Booth. The proceeding melee led to substitute Greg Drummond also heading down the tunnel for an early-bath and both sides down to 10-men.
It was just the type of decision that Motors were looking to induce and they capitalised on the only guilt-edged chance of the second half, when Michael Burkey seized on a through-ball and expertly rounded Atkinson and stabbed the ball into the open goal. It has to be said, a very good finish and put the Shakers on the back-foot. Despite almost catching Booth out via speculative cross that hit the upright and the Bury-side fashioning a number of opportunities without ever seriously threatening the Motor goal, the second half ended in a 1-0 win to the visitors.
Vauxhall have the chance to make amends for their loss at Winsford this weekend, when they replay the fixture this Saturday following non-payment of league fees from the Cheshire-based outfit. We are sure a keen eye will be cast on the result of that game from the fellow title-chasing pack over in Manchester.
With the back-to-back mid-week Tuesday games against title-rivals Vauxhall Motors now done and dusted and no points to show for it, all that can be done is rise from the disappointment and focus on the final six games. It remains in our grasp to make the season, a fine one.
A massive plus point on Tuesday night was the crowd, all in fine voice for the most part and there in numbers with 1,338 packed into Seel Park. For a mid-week game away from ‘home’, it was a tremendous effort and one we want replicating this Good Friday.
Longridge Town are the visitors and will be looking to avenge the 3-2 reverse inflicted on them by the Shakers back in November. The Ridge headed into added time, leading 2-1 against a combination of 11, 10, nine or eight men for the majority of the second half. Bury had battled not only the game itself, but the officials as well, with several heading to the sin-bin (whatever happened to that?) from the point that the home side were given a second half penalty to increase their lead to 3-1.
Jack Atkinson saved the spot-kick from Dean Ing, and the rest you know. In case you have forgotten, check the highlights out above.
With just #6togo now, we need you there in your numbers and making the noise to spur the lads on.
Your pre-match information on our trip back to Seel Park can be found below.
Opponents – Longridge Town
Formed in 1996 when the two clubs of the town, United & St. Wilfrid’s came together with the aim of raising the standard of football in the town. Where have we heard that before?
The previous two clubs had existing from as far back as the 19th century, so the experience was by no means novice, and the club quickly moved out of the local religious leagues they had taken part in for nearly a century and through the Preston & District and then West Lancashire Leagues before being promoted to the NWCFL in 2018.
They quickly moved into the Premier Division following a successful first season, finishing as Champions. They have remained at this step since that point.
An up-and-down set of results in the opening six games of this season, winning three, but losing three, consolidated their place in mid-table at the end of August. A wretched run of no wins in the league in September had Ridge dropping towards the bottom end of the table, before matters have stabilised somewhat in October and November, including progression to the third round of the FA Vase. They take on Eccleshill United this weekend of this competition.
Ridge have been on a similar journey to ourselves in recent weeks, suffering a number of weather induced postponements (9 in total, back-to-back) which halted the season for a long period and they now look to play catch-up. They went on a run of four wins on the bounce through March, but playing two games over Saturday and Sunday last weekend, resulted in two home losses against Northwich Victoria and FC Isle of Man.
Ridge sit in 14th as we head into the game, with 12 wins and nine draws from 37 games so far.
Tickets & Admission
Tickets for this game are available to purchase here.
£8 – Adults £20 – Hospitality £3 – U16s FREE – U5s £3 – Match Programme can be secured online to pick up at the ground We are encouraging fans to please buy their tickets ahead of time if possible. With the ground expecting to be busy for this game, purchasing tickets helps our volunteers in getting fans in the ground and reducing queues outside.
A pay on the day facility is available, via cash or card on the gate. If paying by cash, please try and bring the correct change to ensure smooth and quick entry to the ground.
NOTE: Half price for Mossley AFC Season Ticket Holders on the gate on presence of their ticket.
In The Ground
Our Matchday Programme (£3.00) will be available for purchase inside / outside the ground or secure yours online before the game at the above link.
Our ‘Pound for the Ground’ raffle tickets will again be on sale in and around the ground, £1 per entry. Find out about previous draws and collections made so far HERE.
The winning ticket will take home 40% of the pot on the day, with the remaining amount each week going towards the pursuit of our own ground. We thank you all for your contributions and hope you continue to support this initiative.
Travel & Car Parking
Address: Seel Park, Market Street, Mossley, Lancashire, OL5 0ES.
Ground Facilities: Clubhouse with Licenced Bar will be open, as well as a Can Bar in the ground accessed via the Mossley Club Shop. The Pie Hut will be open inside the ground for hot & cold food and drinks.
There are covered stands on three sides of the ground, with limited seating in the main stand (closest to entrance via Market Street) to the right on the below image.
Aerial view of Seel Park (looking South) Travel by coach: A 72-seat coach is being laid on FREE by the club to assist Season Ticket Holders ONLY, who would find travel to Mossley difficult. All ticket holders should now be in receipt of this email to book this coach.
Travel by train: Mossley (0.4 miles). Trains from Manchester Piccadilly take approximately 20 minutes.
Travel by tram / public bus: Tram to Ashton-under-Lyme, then take 350 bus to Mossley.
Car Parking: The car park at Seel Park is restricted to players and officials ONLY.
On-street parking is available, please be considerate of local residents at all times. A Pay & Display Car Park is available at the top of Market Street, which can be seen on entry down towards the ground. Costs £1 for all-day parking.
Live Coverage
We were pleased to report that facilities at Seel Park are suitable enough for us to offer a live stream of the game, as we do for all home games. This will be available closer to kick-off in the usual place via the News section of the website.
As ever, Roch Valley Radio will be broadcasting live audio commentary also via their website, downloadable app or on your Smart Speaker (by asking ‘Play Roch Valley Radio’). For more information, head to the Roch Valley website HERE.
#ByTheFans | #ForTheFans | #YourTown | #YourTeam | #OnOurWay | #6togo
View the full article
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Match Info: Winsford United (H), Sat 22nd Apr (3pm KO)
After 59 games, we finally arrive at the finishing post with the visit of Winsford United back at the Neuven Stadium. Kids go FREE, so get your football fix this Saturday.
Having hit the 80-point mark with the comfortable win away at Barnoldswick Town on Tuesday evening, the lads will be looking to put on a show and finish the season on a high.
A win secures a fourth-place finish and whilst not what the manager and squad set-out to achieve when the first ball was kicked against Litherland last July, it has been a season of mostly high-points of which all can be suitably proud.
From three-replay victories in the preliminary FA Cup rounds, two against sides in higher divisions and being moments away from being in the hat for the first-round proper of the competition, to reaching the Quarter-Finals of the FA Vase and only exiting in heart-breaking circumstances on penalties and amassing 24 league wins so far.
Harry Brazel’s delicious lob to settle Tuesday night’s tie in the Pendle hills was the club’s 100th competitive goal of the season also. We have certainly had a lot to enjoy, which could be seen by the reaction of the supporters in the away end at the Douglas Bowl last week.
We enter the final game with uncertainty with regards to next season, the future regards the merger is unclear but hopefully most can be positively optimistic that the club will benefit from the results of the vote in a couple of weeks time.
But whatever happens, we have to celebrate the start that has been made in the re-birth of football in the town. Following the devastation that hit us all in 2019, it was the fans that stepped up, to make all you see before you. From scratch. That requires celebration no matter what.
Sing those songs, wave those flags and enjoy your football fix!
Unfortunately, our championship-winning ladies side cannot be on hand to receive their trophy from last week but as we have stated from the start, this club is all about inclusivity and it is #HerGameToo. We are delighted to be able to stage our u10s girls tournament on the astroturf outside the ground before the game, and will welcome them onto the pitch at half-time. We hope the players and families have a great day down at the Neuven Stadium.
Get all your match information below.
Opponents – Winsford United
Winsford United was founded in 1883, as ‘ Over Wanderers and played football in the Welsh Combination Football League. They changed their name and moved to their current ground, the Barton Stadium (then called the Bean Latham Playing Field), a few years later. However, after excessive spending, the club soon folded.
They re-formed just before the outbreak of the First World War, and re-grouped after this had finished under a committee led by Mr. R. G. Barton, becoming a founder member of the Cheshire League. From then until the late 1970s, Winsford United played football locally in Cheshire.
Being a member club of the NWCFL in 1982, Winsford United moved into the Northern Premier League (NPL) upon its formation in 1987 and finished in their highest ever position of runners-up in the NPL Premier Division in 1992-93. What followed was a dramatic fall down the leagues, with three relegation’s in four seasons and ending up in Step 6 for the start of 2003-04.
Promoted to Step 5 in 2007, Winsford play at Barton Stadium which was formerly the home of greyhound racing.
In our game against Winsford earlier this season, two tremendous volleys brought the three points home in a 2-1 win. Coverage of our game at Barton Stadium in January can be found below:
Online Tickets & Admission
Tickets for this game are available to purchase here.
£8 – Adults £20 – Hospitality U16s – FREE £3 – Match Programme can be secured online to pick up at the ground We are encouraging fans to please buy their tickets ahead of time. With the ground expecting to be busy for this game, purchasing tickets helps our volunteers in getting fans in the ground and reducing queues outside.
Pay on the day facility is available, via cash or card on the gate. If paying by cash, please try and bring the correct change to ensure smooth and quick entry to the ground.
The game kicks-off at 3pm, with gates expected to open from 1.30pm.
In The Ground
Our Matchday Programme (£3.00) will be available for purchase inside / outside the ground or secure yours online before the game at the above link.
Our ‘Pound for the Ground’ raffle tickets will again be on sale in and around the ground, £1 per entry. Find out about previous draws and collections made so far HERE.
The winning ticket will take home 40% of the pot on the day, with the remaining amount each week going towards the pursuit of our own ground. We thank you all for your contributions and hope you continue to support this initiative.
Travel & Parking
Address: Neuven Stadium, Colshaw Close E, Radcliffe M26 3PE.
Parking Facilities: There is a car park at the entrance but this is for players and match officials only.
Supporters can utilise parking at Radcliffe CC when available (at a cost of £2 per car, shown left), Radcliffe Juniors Car Park where there is space or around the ground in residential areas.
REMINDER: Supporters attending the game are requested to be mindful of local residents when parking around the ground. Please leave space for residents to access properties at all times.
Travel by Car: Come off the M60 at junction 17 follow signs for Whitefield and Bury. Take A665 to Radcliffe via by-pass to Bolton Road. Signposted to turn right into Unsworth Street. The Neuven Stadium is on the left approximately half a mile turning into Colshaw Close East. Enter M26 3PE for those using Sat Navs.
Travel by Train: Get a train to Manchester Piccadilly Or Manchester Victoria, depart and make your way to the Metrolink (Tram) stop at either station and board the Bury Tram.
Travel by Tram: Get the Bury tram which comes every 6 minutes on a weekday and every 12 minutes on a weekend from Manchester Piccadilly or Manchester Victoria. Radcliffe is the final stop before Bury. After arriving at Radcliffe Tram Station, turn left out of the car park and walk straight to the top of the road (Spring Lane) at the traffic lights, turn right pass the Royal Oak Pub and follow the road until the next set of traffic lights near Tesco. Turn Right and head up Ainsworth Road, until you reach the Victoria Pub. Turn left onto Lowe Street and the Neuven Stadium is at the end of the road on the right turning into Colshaw Close East. The journey takes around 20 minutes. If you require anymore information ie: prices & times then head to www.metrolink.co.uk
Live Stream & Coverage
There will not be a live stream of this game, as this takes place within the Saturday afternoon blackout.
Roch Valley Radio will be broadcasting live audio commentary also via their website, downloadable app or on your Smart Speaker (by asking ‘Play Roch Valley Radio’). For more information, head to the Roch Valley website HERE.
Matchday Playlist
Our matchday playlist is available below:
If you want your songs to be used in our playlist, get in contact on media@buryafc.uk or respond on one of our social media posts.
Matchday & Match Ball Sponsor
We are delighted to welcome Karman Digital down again to the Neuven Stadium for the game. Click below to see the work that Karman do!
Our Match Ball Sponsor has been donated via a raffle arranged by one of volunteers, Ryan Jackson-Fogg.
#ByTheFans | #ForTheFans | #YourTown | #YourTeam | #YourSeason
View the full article on Bury AFC website
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Match Info: Wythenshawe Town (A), Mon 10th Apr (3pm KO)
Just two days on from our draw with Longridge on Good Friday, which was our fifth game in twelve days, we go again as we take on third placed Wythenshawe Town.
As we enter our final five games of the year we welcome re-enforcements into the squad with the return of prolific goal scorers Tom Greaves and Aidan Chippendale. Both are chomping at the bit to help Andy and the lads with their promotion push.
Now we go into another three fixture week and we need our twelfth man! So let’s get down to Wythenshawe in numbers, sings the lads along, bang that drum and most importantly believe!
**Once inside the ground Bury fans are advised to congregate down the Tesco side of the ground and behind the goal at the Altrincham Road End. Stewards will be in attendance to ensure adequate segregation**
Your match information can be found below.
Admission
Prices as below, all pay on the gate:
£6 Adults £4 Concessions £1 U16s Opponents – Wythenshwe Town FC
Early Days:
The club was founded in 1946 as the North Withington Amateur Football Club and was the idea of some young men who attended St. Crispin’s Church on Hart Road in Fallowfield. The club first played in the South Manchester & Wythenshawe League (1946 – 1958) and were subsequently transferred to the Lancashire & Cheshire Amateur league (1958 – 1972).
Manchester League & Timpson Road
It was in 1972 the club applied and were accepted into the Manchester League, when up until 1974 all games of football were played at Hough End Field, Princess Road, Withington.
In June 1974, under the helm of Chairman Billy Moore, the club’s headquarters were moved from the Princess Hotel in Withington to the newly acquired ground at Timpson Road, Baguley, M23 9LL where three pre-fabricated houses were purchased and turned into a clubhouse with a bar, kitchen and changing facilities. After numerous discussions, it was decided to name the ground after the residing Chairman (Stan Hahn) and the Club Secretary (Eric Renard) out of respect, honouring them as founding members, hence the name Ericstan Park. And it was at this point, the club decided to design a new badge incorporating a cockerel and a fox; the cockerel related to founding member Stanley Hahn (the German for cockerel is Hähnchen) and the fox to founding member Eric Renard (the French for fox is Renard), to forever recognise the club’s founding members.
Cheshire League & The Invincibles
In 2014 and under new Chairman Kenny Hope, the club transferred to the Cheshire League Division 2 and went on to become history-makers, making national headlines as they won every single league and Cup game, 39 games in total, earning the side the title, ‘The Invincibles.’ Back to back promotions on their debut in the Cheshire League, and with a working partnership in place with professional football club Fleetwood Town, the club set their sights firmly on bringing semi-professional football to the club for the first time in history.
The North-West Counties Football League & Semi-Pro Football
That ambition came to realisation at the end of the 2017/18 season after two seasons in the Cheshire Premier League when the club secured promotion to Step 6 and the Hallmark Security North West Counties League South Division, heralding a new era at the club. There were further changes at the beginning of 2019 when Chris Eaton took over as Chairman with a promise to put the club on a sound business footing. Promotion was narrowly missed at the end of the season but with Manager James Kinsey and his coaching team in charge, the club looked forward to the new campaign with optimism. The optimism proved well-founded as the club showed its confidence in the players and management team was justified with some remarkable highlights and a run in the league that left them in third place and looking forward to a future in the next level. Their greatest run of success was in the FA Vase where a series of victories against Goole Town, Nostell Miners Welfare, Skelmersdale United, and Northwich Victoria saw them matched against competition favourites big-spending Consett Town. A draw at home saw Wythenshawe visit the North-East for the replay but the FA’s experimental rule-change for the competition saw the team short of six players while their opponents had a full squad to choose from. Even so it was a narrow one-nil defeat that saw their visions of Wembley come to an end. The highlight of the season was a remarkable two-one away victory over high flying National League North stars Curzon Ashton in the Frank Hannah Manchester Senior Cup and their last game before the season was ended by COVID-19 was in the semi-final of the Division One Cup against Sandbach United. The decision to declare the season null and void robbed the club of what looked to be a certain promotion.
Seven out of Seven and then COVID
Season 2020/2021 saw a remarkable start to the campaign with seven straight wins and 29 goals scored against just 3 in return. Once again, the season was ended by COVID, and it looked as if once again frustration was the order of the day. However, the club got the news it so richly deserved when the FA made the decision to base promotion on the records of the two curtailed seasons and Wythenshawe Town found themselves starting the new campaign in the Premier Division. There was progress off the field as well at the beginning of 2021, when Chairman Chris Eaton, with the unanimous backing of the members, turned the club into a limited company with a promise of great things to come.
Success and Reward
The 2021-2022 season proved to be an outstanding campaign with a run in the FA Vase and a close finish in the League. Victories against Litherland REMYCA, Bacup Borough, Seaham Red Star, Holker OB, Billingham Synthonia, red-hot favourites Consett AFC and Anstey Nomads saw them reach the dizzy heights of an FA Vase Quarter Final at Loughborough Students. However, it proved one hurdle too far and the visions of Wembley were dashed. After the first few weeks Town were never out of the top three places in the league and it went right up to the final day when they were pipped by just a single point. Wythenshawe Town’s achievements didn’t go unrecognised, and they received two great honours at the League Presentation Evening. Manager James Kinsey was rewarded for three years of hard work and dedication when he received the Manager of The Year Award for the Premier Division and the club’s attitude to discipline on the field saw them received the Fair Play Award.
Travel & Car Parking
Address: Ericstan Park, Timpson Road, Wythenshawe, Greater Manchester, M23 9LL
Travel by train: Baguley (9 minutes’ walk, 0.4 miles)
Travel by public bus:
For all buses, the best stop to get off at is on Altrincham Road near Tesco Baguley. The ground is around 3-5 minutes walk from there.
From Cheadle, Gatley & Stockport and in the opposite direction, Timperley and Altrincham, take the 11 or 11a and get off anywhere near Tesco Baguley or Baguley Retail Park. If you’re travelling from anywhere in Wythenshawe, the 11 or 109 is the easiest bus to get.
If you are travelling from Manchester City Centre take the 109.
From the M56 Junction 3, follow the sign for Wythenshawe Hospital. After 1 mile, after passing the Shell garage, turn left at the traffic lights then right at the next set of traffic lights. The ground is at the end of this road.
From the M60 (Counterclockwise), come off at Junction 5 and join the M56. Come off at the first exit which is Junction 3 and follow signs as above.
From the M60 (Clockwise), head towards the M56 at Junction 4 and come off at the first exit, Junction 2 towards Wythenshawe. At the roundabout go straight ahead towards Altrincham, and at the second roundabout take the second exit, again towards Altrincham. This will bring you to M56 Junction 3, go straight ahead at the roundabout and follow the directions above.
Car Parking: Travelling supporters are encouraged to park at Tesco near the ground as the Ericstan Park card park is very small and fills up extremely early.
Ground Facilities:
Covered seating
Covered standing
Bar serving hot food and drinks as well as cold drinks and refreshments
Pitch side shop serving hot and cold drinks, snacks and pin badges
Beer garden to the rear
Games room
Disabled toilet
Disabled access
Parking
Wi-fi
Live Coverage
There will be no live stream available for this game. Roch Valley Radio will be broadcasting live audio commentary also via their website, downloadable app or on your Smart Speaker (by asking ‘Play Roch Valley Radio’). For more information, head to the Roch Valley website HERE.
#ByTheFans | #ForTheFans | #YourTown | #YourTeam | #5togo
View the full article
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New Season, New Kits – You Decide
Since announcing that kit partner, Hope + Glory Sportswear were to return for the 2023/24 season, the team at H+G have been hard at work in conjunction with the Interim board and operating football board to give members a fresh set of kit options for the new season.
In future, we will continue to make a commitment to keep our kits for two seasons, but for the 2023/24 season we will have two fresh kits as the ‘White & Blue Army’ makes the return to Gigg Lane. The options being put to members can be found here.
Home Kit
Ever conscious about our illustrious history, the kit designs have drawn on inspiration from the past with versions which have been sported by teams representing the club across the years, as shown below.
circa 1924 1984/85 1994/95 1997/98 Images courtesy of Pete Cullen
This season’s selections provide replica versions of our simple all-white shirts, with or without blue trim to the collar, and with a subtle nod to the chevrons that featured in the 90s. Or how about a kit that was worn in our visit to Wembley in 1995?
The choice is yours from those styled below:
Your 2023/24 home kit choices
What will also be your choice, will be the shade of blue that features across the trim, shorts and socks. Will it be Royal or Navy Blue, for you?
As author of the The Official History of Bury FC Pete Cullen writes, we have flirted with both over the years:
“Despite playing in white shorts in the first two years of the club’s history, a shade of blue has been the predominant colour of this part of Bury’s kit since 1888.
“Navy was the colour of choice from 1888 all the way through to 1962. From then until 1986 the team wore royal blue, before the switch was made to a darker shade which lasted until 1994 when royal blue was reintroduced. Barring the 2009/10 125th anniversary season and the 2014/15 promotion season when white was the adopted colour, royal blue remained the colour of the team’s shorts until its last season in the Football League, when navy blue was chosen once again.“
Away Kit
When our home kit clashes with the opposition and we need to make a change, we have also taken inspiration from the past with how the team on the pitch represent us in the stands. A regular feature at the top of polls with any Bury supporter was the purple and green striped kit from 1994/95 season.
Hope + Glory have given us their take on the designs with three choices, again for members to select from.
Your 2023/24 away kit choices
Kit votes will be processed online with email ballots sent via our partner, Election Buddy. This vote will be submitted to members of Shakers Community and Bury FC Supporters Society over the coming days.
All existing members of both societies will be transferred over to the new amalgamated society (‘The Football Supporters’ Society of Bury’) in the coming weeks, so with memberships open again, if you are not a member yet, why not? Join NOW by clicking on the badge above.
We hope you like the designs and enjoy the process of making your selection and having your voice, on your club! Be #PartOfIt, Be #ShakersTogether.
#PartOfIt | #ShakersTogether
View the full article on the Bury AFC website
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Our dear friend Amanda Freeman is laid to rest.
Today our thoughts are with friends, family & the whole Bury footballing community as our dear friend Amanda Freeman is laid to rest.
RIP Mandy 🤍💙
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Our Mandy honoured at National Game Awards
Bury fan and volunteer Amanda Freeman was honoured this week at the Isuzu National Game Awards in London.
Mandy picked up the Unsung Hero Award, for which she was nominated for following her passing earlier this month.
Two of Mandy’s teammates from her recreational women’s team Diane Dobson & Caroline Suttie collected the award on her behalf at AFC Wimbledon’s Plough Lane.
Speaking to the Bury Times Diane said: “When it was Bury FC, she used to be a lifelong supporter with her dad. She was devastated, as were many people in the town when Bury FC went, but she just wanted to follow football in Bury and when Bury AFC was created, she just wanted to support them.
“She used to be there at the tunnel, greeting players out on a matchday, and she would be there painting and cleaning and selling tickets and fundraising, for Bury AFC men and women.
“In non-league, no club has got a lot of money, so they rely on volunteers to get out there and do the work. Fortunately, we have got a lot of people that love the team, it is a labour of love, and they will go out and do it.”
Bury fans and the wider football community raised £5,620 for costs towards her funeral.
Mandy was also recently honoured at the Bury AFC end-of-season awards, being named Volunteer of the Year.
Football Board Chair, Marcel De Matas said: “Mandy was a lifelong Bury supporter and one of the unsung heroes of Bury AFC. From the inception of the Phoenix club through to her untimely death, Mandy involved herself in everything from fundraising to match day stewarding and did so with a smile on her face, making many friends along the way.
“She was at the heart of all things great about Bury AFC and was pivotal to the family ethos and community feel around the club. She’ll be sorely missed by her many friends, and we just wish she was here to see the return of football to her beloved Gigg Lane.
“Her dedication to the Bury cause for very many years and the enthusiasm for volunteering, that shone through, even during periods of ill health, truly made Mandy a worthy winner of the Unsung Hero Award for 2023”.
View the full article on the Bury AFC website
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Preparation for visiting the Isle of Man
Ahead of our trip and in line with the policing large crowds and events, the local constabulary in Douglas have been in touch to advise supporters on customs on the island during the period of Bury supporters visiting ahead and during our game against FC Isle of Man this weekend.
Supporters are reminded to be aware of the below points:
Segregation will be in place inside the stadium on the day of the game. Away supporters are requested to access the northern end of the ground only. Stewards will be on hand to guide supporters to the right areas. Alcohol will NOT be available inside the ground and not permitted to be brought into the stadium. Please abide by this request and cooperate with staff at all times. Laws on the island are different to those in the UK and the local police’s tolerance to public disorder is lower than that in the UK. Abiding to police instruction at all times is necessary. Arrests will be made where this is the case and this will lead to summons in court. We wish supporters all a great time on the island during your visit, but please be aware at all times about the points above. We wish to leave a positive lasting impression on the island, and request and appreciate your cooperation in doing so.
#BuryAFC | #YourTown | #YourTeam
View the full article
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Shakers Community Society General Meeting: Vote Results
The motion to adopt of the Gigg Lane Stadium as the football club’s home playing venue was approved by 97% of the vote. 1116 were in favour, 34 against and 9 abstentions.
The motion to adopt Bury Football Club as the playing name was approved by 92% of the vote. 1046 were in favour, 95 against and 24 abstentions.
The Resolution that the Society and Bury Football Club Supporters’ Society Limited (Register number 29385R) (“BFCSS”) shall be amalgamated pursuant to section 109 of the Co-operative and Community Benefit Societies Act 2014 was approved by 97% of the vote. 1109 were in favour, 35 against and 15 abstentions.
As the Bury Football Supporters’ Society also approved their motion to amalgamate with a 90% majority we are pleased to confirm that the amalgamation will proceed subject to the Confirmatory Vote which will now begin and the results announced at the next General Meeting at 7pm on 19th May.
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