Thank you for your continued support of the club. Bury FC is a community, fan-owned football club competing in the North West Counties Football League Premier Division.
#BuryFC | #PartOfIt
Highlights are brought to you by Autosave Ltd, Proud sponsors of Bury Football Club.
Thank you for your continued support of the club. Bury FC is a community, fan-owned football club competing in the North West Counties Football League Premier Division.
#BuryFC | #partofit
We are delighted to soon be launching ‘Junior Shakers’, a club membership scheme for our youngest fans. As well as a host of bespoke merchandise and other membership benefits, our Junior Shakers will all be given the opportunity to be a mascot at one of our men’s or women’s home games at Gigg Lane this season.
To launch the scheme we are running a badge design competition and you can find entry details and a design sheet below. The winning badge will then be used on our Junior Shakers merchandise and the winner will also receive a child’s season ticket for Gigg Lane for the coming season.
Please note, this is now the only way to mascot at Gigg Lane. We have been asked about creating a paid mascot opportunity, but have decided we want to give as many children as possible the opportunity to mascot and feel that the annual membership fee of just £30 for Junior Shakers offers excellent value for money.
Local junior football teams and school teams and classes will still be given the opportunity to be flag-bearers at our men’s or women’s games at Gigg Lane and interested managers or teachers can contact our new community development officer to arrange this and join a waiting list for a place (at; communityofficer@buryfc.co.uk).
Initially, teams and schools who have not already been flag-bearers or mascots at Gigg Lane over the past year will be offered this opportunity. All mascots and flag-bearers will be given free entry to Gigg Lane on the day, but must be accompanied by a fully paying adult if they are under the age of 13.
Once we have chosen our newly designed badge, we will be releasing details of how to join the scheme via our website and a link to the online sign up.
Today’s news brings some changes to how matchdays operate at Gigg Lane, alongside some fan feedback which we very much appreciate:
Any fan who has purchased a season ticket (regardless of which stand) can enter Starkies from 12:30pm (opening a hour earlier that last season) and during the game as long as they have purchased a Starkies pass (This is now available as a game by game pass, click here) This is a change to last season in which only people who had a main stand ticket could access Starkies before and during the game.
After taking fan feedback and in line with our ambition to grow junior numbers, Starkies pass for Under 16s is now free of charge, those who purchased one will be refunded automatically.
Fans can purchase a Starkies match pass for £7 per game, (these will be available on TicketCo up to the day before a game) which includes a match programme, a pie, and now added to this is Q and A with a Bury Legend (subject to availability). We are delighted to announce David Lee will be joining us for the first home game!
A Starkies Pass for the whole season can be bought here, or it can be bought as a stand alone ticket for any game here. It does not include the matchday ticket which must be purchased separately.
We are also delighted to announce a upgrade ticket option for 1885 and Sponsors Lounge tickets, so if you buy an individual match ticket on TicketCo you will be offered the chance to upgrade it to other packages.
Season ticket holders who wish to purchase additional hospitality with the cost reduced to reflect your season ticket purchase can email enquiries@buryfc.co.uk to request an upgrade.
Our match hospitality packages are now available to purchase on a match by match basis following the release of fixtures on Tuesday.
1885 suite (open from 12:30pm) will be £35 per person (a £13 reduction on last seasons price and with a brand new menu), and this price includes:
Entrance via the hospitality entrance In the main stand
Open pre-match, during the game, and after the match until 7pm
TV showing all live BT (including 12.30 kick off) and free to view matches
Private pay bar for beers, wines, and spirits
Pre-match food and half-time refreshments (a change to last seasons served at half time food)
10% discount on Starkies room hire
Matchday team sheet
Access to 1885 lounge with bar
Player’s attendance after the match
Discount on other sponsorship and advertising
Click here to purchase 1885 match ticket.
The Eyelevel sponsors lounge (open from 12:30pm) is £55 plus VAT per person, and this includes:
Entrance via the Hospitality Entrance in the main stand
Open pre-match, during the game, and after the match until 7pm
TV showing all live BT (including 12.30 kick off) and free to view matches
10% discount on Starkies room hire
Matchday team sheet and programme
Two-course pre-match meal and half-time refreshments
Access to Sponsors lounge with private pay bar
Pre-match talk with former player (subject to availability)
Board Director/CEO In attendance
MOM/Manager in attendance after the match
Discount on other sponsorship and advertising
Click here to purchase Sponsors lounge ticket.
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Following over 700 suggestions for the Legends Wall, we are delighted to confirm the 40 players who will be appearing on it and now it’s your chance to sponsor their poster.
A further 15 posters are available to sponsor that represent the club’s history.
All purchase will be made via TicketCo, the price to sponsor a legends poster is £69.99 plus VAT & booking fee.
Whilst the history posters are available to sponsor for £45 plus VAT & booking fee.
Click the link HERE to sponsor your Legend! Once they are gone, they are gone, so be quick!
The 41 players that have been chosen are:
NICKY ADAMS – Nicky is one of just three players to play for the Shakers in three different spells. He joined the club as a Youth Team player, signed professional forms in July 2006 but joined Leicester City in January 2009. He returned to Gigg in July 2014 and helped the Shakers gain promotion under Richie Barker and repeated the feat in July 2018, gaining the 6th promotion success of his career (and 2nd at Bury) under Ryan Lowe. 161 League appearances, 18 goals.
WALLY AMOS – A left winger who was a constant in Bury’s successful top flight team of the 1920s, he maintained his place in the side up until 1935 and amassed 455 league games, scoring 121 goals. His appearance total gives him second place, behind Norman Bullock, on most appearanes for the club.
GORDON ATHERTON – A popular half-back who made 334 league appearances for the Shakers between 1955 and 1966. ‘Ginger’ as he was commonly known was ever-present in Bury’s 1960/61 Division Three Championship team and was always a highly reliable member of the side.
TONY BARTLEY – Another member of Bury’s 1960/61 Division Three Championship team, Tony spent seven years in the Shakers’ left wing and scored some cracking goals amongst his total of 24. 116 League appearances, 24 goals.
COLIN BELL – One of Bury’s most famous ex-players, Colin joined the Shakers as a youngster, he made his debut for the reserves at the age of 15 years 9 months, made his first team debut at the age of 18 and was captain of the team whilst still a teenager. It was obvious to everyone that Bell was a star in the making and so it proved as he went on to enjoy a successful top-flight and international career. He spent 3 seasons in the Shakers first team, playing in 82 league games, scoring 25 goals.
ANDY BISHOP – Joining from York City in 2006, Bish was very much a fans favourite in his seven years at Gigg Lane. Scoring many memorable goals in his 200+ appearances for the club.
TEDDY BULLEN – The only ‘current’ member of Bury FC’s playing squad that sadly lost their life hwilst serving for his country during war-time. A half-back, Bullen joined Bury from Altrincham in May 1906 and spent the next 9 seasons, until war interrupted football, representing the Shakers. Teddy appeared in 188 league games and scored 7 goals. He was killed in action in August 1917.
NORMAN BULLOCK – Quite simply a club legend. He spent FIFTEEN years in Bury’s first team, scored a club record 125 league goals -later beaten by Craig Madden – but his 505 league appearances still remains as a club record. Gained two full caps for England whilst at Gigg Lane. Spent two spells as Bury Manager, between 1935-1938 and 1945-1949.
MARK CARTER – ‘Spike’ was almost 33 when a bargain £6,500 transfer brought him north from Barnet but he became a fans’ favourite over the next four years as his 62 goals helped Bury claim successive promotions and reach the Football League Championship. 134 league appearances.
NICK DAWS – A player who began as a part-time professional at the club but went on to star for 9 seasons in midfield and also appeared in 233 consecutive games for the club. Captained the Shakers and made a massive 369 league appearances, scoring 16 goals.
WAYNE ENTWISTLE – Local Bury-born hero who started out as an apprentice at Gigg Lane, enjoyed 3 spells with the club and scored 22 goals alongside Craig Madden in Bury’s 1984/85 promotion season.
116 league appearances, 39 goals for the Shakers.
GREG FARRELL – One of the most popular players from the 1960s, Scotsman Greg Farrell was a very exciting winger that stayed with the Shakers for four seasons, from 1966/7 through to 1969/70 and he played 44 games in Bury’s 1967/8 Division Three promotion season. Total appearances 83. Goals: 15.
JOHN FORREST – Tottington born keeper that spanned three decades with his local club, making his debut on 17 January 1968 at home to Brighton and amassing 430 league appearances by the time he played his final game for the club on 23 September 1980 – ironically a 7-0 home defeat to Nottingham Forest in the League Cup. His total of 430 games is the fourth highest total by a Bury player and his Gigg Lane career encompassed two promotions and three relegations.
LES HART – Mr Bury! Able to play at full-back or centre-half, Les Hart signed for Bury in December 1936 and made his debut against Tottenham in December 1938. Les went on to play 280 league games for h club but also played 181 war-time games for Bury. After his playing career, his association with the club continued until his retirement in March 1980. 44 years with Bury, during which time he was trainer, physio and also manager, in 1969/70.
BILLY HIBBERT – Centre-forward Hibbert joined Bury in May 1906 and spent six years with the Shakers, during which time he became a star. His scoring ratio (99 goals in 178 league games) ensured that he became the fourth Bury man to be capped for England, in April 1910. He also owned a tobacconist and newsagents business on Bell Lane and so, when Bury told him that they wanted to sell him to Newcastle in October 1911 he wasn’t too happy. The transfer fee of £1,950 was a new British transfer record at the time, demonstrating how much of a star he was.
LEN JOHNROSE – A wonderfully committed and hard-in-the-tackle midfield battler that you could always rely on. Known fondly as ‘Lenny’ to the Shakers faithful, he was signed by Mike Walsh in December 1993 and spent six years with the Shakers. During that time he played 194 league games, scored 19 goals and helped Bury achieve back-to-back promotions from Division Two to the Championship.
GEORGE JONES – Radcliffe born George made his debut for he Shakers at the ripe old age of 16, playing away at Huddersfield on 2 December 1961. After being a regular in the side throughout 1962/3 and 1963/4, Blackburn Rovers paid big money to take George to Ewood in March 1964. After 4 moderate years there, he returned to Gigg lane in November 1966, a popular signing with the fans which saw George remain a first team regular for 7 seasons. In all, George played 319 league games for Bury, scoring 116 goals.
KEITH KENNEDY – Left-back Keith joined Bury in October 1972 from Newcastle – and literally made Bury his home. He still lives here and his son Tom went on to play for the club. Keith was a regular for ten seasons and he is in sixth place on the list of Bury’s all-time appearances, having played in a massive 405 league games, managing a goal every 100 games!
JIMMY KERR – A midfield talent that looked certain to ensure a career at the very top. Jimmy broke into the Shakers’ first team at just sixteen in September 1965 and held his place in the team for the next five years. Jimmy played 152 league games (38 goals) before a transfer to Blackburn in May 1970. Unfortunately injury brought his career to an end shortly after the transfer.
DEAN KIELY – Missed just one game in three seasons at Gigg Lane between 1996 and 1999 as Stan Ternent’s team enjoyed one of the most successful periods in the club’s recent history. Remembered for THAT penalty save at Watford in April 1997. 137 league appearances.
DAVID LEE – An exciting talent that saw Lee make his debut on the wing at the age of 18, but it was the following season (1986/7) that he really became a regular and he went on to terrorize full-backs with his lightning speed for the next seven years. A real fans’ favourite that scored some spectacular goals. He subsequently moved on and upwards – to Southampton in August 1991. 208 Bury league appearances, 35 goals.
JOE LEEMING – A defender that also appeared in the Shakers’ side as a forward on occasions and scored twice in Bury’s 1903 FA Cup Final win against Derby County. Joe played 258 games in the club’s very early and successful Football League days.He made his Shakers debut in April 1898 and played regularly right upto the end of the 1907-8 season when he was transferred to Brighton & Hove Albion.
ALEC LINDSAY – Bury born Alec made his debut in the Shakers’ defence at the age of just 1 years 296 days, as Bury beat Derby County 2-1 on 19 December 1964. Able to play as a central defender, full-back or in attack, Bury utilized him in a variety of roles and he maintained a regular place for 5 years, playing 41 games in the 1967/8 promotion season. Alec played 127 games, scoring 13 goals. On 13 March 1969 he was transferred to Liverpool for £67,000.
RYAN LOWE – One of just three players to sign for the club on three separate occasions, Ryan is the only man ever to have won promotion with the Shakers both as a player and a manager. He is also the only man ever to enjoy three promotion campaigns with Bury. 161 League games, 65 goals.
CHRIS LUCKETTI – Chris was a member of the Halifax Town team which was demoted from the Football League but saw his career resurrected with a move to Bury in October 1993. Chris made 235 appearance sin Bury’s defence over six seasons, many as captain, and helped the Shakers climb from Division There to the Championship. Was named the fans’ Player of the Season three times and later returned for an ill-fated short spell as Manager.
CRAIG MADDEN – The diminutive striker was another true club legend, playing for nine seasons in Bury’s first team between 1978 and 1986, scoring a club record 128 goals from his 297 league appearances. His partnership with Wayne Entwistle in the club’s 1984/5 promotion season saw them claim 43 goals between them.
ERIC MASSEY – Another player who embraced the town of Bury and settled in the town after his playing days, Eric Massey spent 11 years at Gigg Lane and after spending he first two years on the fringe, earned a regular place in the Shakers defence in the 1948/9 season. Eric appeared in 201 league games, and scored 6 goals. Bury was the only club that he played League football for.
DANNY MAYOR – After initially joining the Shakers on loan for the entire 2013/14 season, Danny soon made himself a real fan favourite, showing real pace down the wing and being one of the most skillful players to turn out for the Shakers in recent times. In summer 2014 Bury made that deal permanent and Danny spent the next five years as a standout player in the Bury side, enjoying promotion with the club in 2014 and 2019.
ARCHIE MONTGOMERY – Despite being the very first player to be sent off in Bury’s Football league days, Scottish goalkeeper Montgomery was the club’s first choice stopper for most of his eleven years at Gigg Lane – although he missed out on both FA Cup Finals. He made 210 league appearances for Bury before being named as the club’s Manager in February 1907, remaining in the position for 8 years – upto April 1915.
BOBBY OWEN – A Farnworth born forward that made his debut with the Shares at the age of just 17 years 192 days and held down a regular place in the Bury attack from 1965 through to summer 1968. Bobby was top scorer in the club’s 1967/68 promotion season, claiming 23 goals and such form earned him a move to Manchester City in July 1968 for £35,000. He scored two goals at Wembley on his City debut in the Charity Shield. In February 1977 he returned to Gigg lane to spend a month on loan.
JACK PLANT – A member of Bury’s FA Cup winning team in both 1900 and 1903, left winger Jack Plant also played in the club’s first ever Football League game in 1894 and went on to record 319 league appearances and scored 57 goals for the Shakers. He became the third Bury player to gain an England cap in April 1900 and was a regular for the club from 1890 (pre-Football League) right through to 1907.
JIMMY PORTER – A Scotsman who arrived at Gigg Lane as a raw 20 year old talent but went on to spend his entire playing career with the club. A cultured half-back, Jimmy made his debut at home to Fulham in April 1922 and went on to play 395 games for the club (7 goals), giving him the seventh most appearances by any Bury player. He was ever present as Bury gained promotion to the top flight in 1924 and played here for 15 years in all, retiring in 1936. In 1946 he rejoined the club as assistant-manager to Norman Bullock and in 1958 returned once more to be Chief scout under Dave Russell.
BILLY RICHARDS – Winger Billy Richards was born at Heaton Park and it was only with his local club, Bury, that he played in the Football League. His April 1899 debut came with a 3-1 win at home to Bolton and he was an automatic choice in the team for the next 7 years. During this time he played in both of Bury’s FA Cup Final successes and by the time he moved on to Heywood United in 1908, he had played 233 league goals for the Shakers, scoring 24 goals.
DAVID ROBBIE – Yet another Scot to grace Gigg Lane, the balding Robbie signed for Bury in May 1921and remained here on the right wing for the next fourteen seasons. He played 27 games as the Shakers gained promotion to the top flight in 1924 and is fifth in the list of all-time appearances, playing 420 games for Bury, scoring 102 goals in the club’s most famous forward line “Robbie, Stage, Bullock, Ball and Amos”.
LIAM ROBINSON – Although Liam played League football for 6 clubs, he played far and away more games for Bury than any other club. Martin Dobson signed the striker in July 1986 from Huddersfield and the likeable Yorkshireman was still an immediate name on Sam Ellis’s team sheet as he put together an expensive squad. Liam played 262 League games for Bury and scored 89 goals – including 21 penalties – possibly more penalties than anyone else.
GEORGE ROSS – An amazing servant that joined Bury in February 1887, less than two years after the club’s formation and helped the club rise through the Lancashire League – picking up the Championship twice, gain election to the Football League, and was captain as Bury won the Division Two Championship, the Lancashire Senior Cup (4 times), the Manchester Senior Cup (7 times) and cemented their place in the top flight. He was also captain in 1903 as Bury created a 6-0 FA Cup Final record win.
ANDY ROWLAND – A bargain signing from Derby County in August 1974, the raw but talented young striker won over Bury hearts alongside Derek Spence with a plentiful supply of goals. Andy played 174 league games for Bury and scored 59 league goals but everyone’s favourite is Bury’s winner in January 1976 in the FA Cup as the Shakers came from 2-0 down to beat top flight leaders Middlesbrough 3-2.
DEREK SPENCE – A charismatic striker that Allan Brown signed in February 1973 from Oldham and went on to become a Shakers legend over the next five seasons. He was top scorer as Bury won promotion from Division Four in 1973/4 and, in March 1975 became the first Bury player to gain International honours in 45 years, being capped for Northern Ireland in March 1975. He scored 45 league goals in 153 appearances.
BOB STOKOE – A balding central-defender who came to Gigg Lane in February 1961 as the light-weight in the transfer of John McGrath to Newcastle United. He played in the closing 17 games of Bury’s and didn’t taste defeat as 13 wins and 4 draws helped Bury to claim the Division Three title. He took over a player-manager in December 1961 and remained in charge upto August 1965. He also had a second spell as manager between November 1977 and May 1978.
BRIAN TURNER Salford born defender who remained in the Shakers defence for 13 seasons, after making his debut in March 1958. The central defender experienced two promotion campaigns and two relegation seasons during his time at the club, being ever-present in both Bury’s 1960/61 Division Three Championship side and the 1967/68 promotion side. Brian’s 455 appearances puts him in third place in the club’s all-time scoring list. (23 goals).
PETER VALENTINE A fantastic free transfer signing from Bolton Wanderers who put heart and soul into every performance and seldom let the team down. The centre-half arrived in July 1985 and became extremely popular with the fans as he steadied the defence for eight years, seldom missing a game as he amassed 319 league appearances and 16 goals.
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After a fantastic pre-season, seeing us win seven out of our seven games with four clean sheets and only three goals conceded and 14 goals scored, against a mix of opponents from higher and lower divisions, we head into the new campaign looking sharp with one aim: Promotion to the Northern Premier League.
Recruitment has gone well over the summer with many new faces coming in and some quickly on there way to already becoming fan favourites. We go into the first game with a very strong squad which will surely give Dave some selection headaches over the coming weeks and months.
We kick off the 2024/25 North West Counties Premier Division Campaign this coming Saturday on the Fylde Coast at Squires Gate in what is sure to be an excellent opening day.
So grab your ticket, get down and help us smash The Brian Addison Stadium’s attendance record!
Watch the highlights from our last trip to “The Gate” below.
In Opposition – Squires Gate
Get full details on the history of Squires Gate via the NWCFL website here.
In more recent times, current manager Luke Evans took over in 2019, leading the team to 9th place before COVID-19 halted the season. The club made several improvements, including new changing rooms and a media team. The 2020-21 season was cut short, but new partnerships were formed, and an Under-23 team was established. In 2021-22, they reached the FA Cup 2nd Qualifying Round and finished 17th in the league. Chairman Tony Jo passed away, leading to a challenging 2022-23 season, but the team reached the FA Vase Third Round.
In 2023, John Maguire stepped down as Secretary, and new committee members, including Chairman John Pladas, were appointed. Gate finished one spot above relegated Skelmersdale United at the end of last season, so will be looking to start well to avoid a repeat.
Tickets
Tickets for the game can still be purchased HERE.
Ticket Prices (not including booking fee):
ADULT £10
CONCESSION £6
UNDER 16s £4
Programme Price: £2.50 – available on the turnstile and in the ground.
Travel & Parking
Travel by Train: Squires Gate (1.7miles)
Travel by Bus: The number 14 bus stops outside the Shovels Pub, a 5 minute maximum walk from the club. This bus can be picked up from Blackpool Town Centre.
Travel by Car: Head along the M6, taking junction 32 and head west along M55 towards Blackpool. At junction 4, turn left onto the A583, at first set of traffic lights turn right (Whitehill Road) follow sign for airport, at round-a-bout take Lytham St Annes exit along School Road. Ground approx. 1.5 miles on right.
They have the main car park at the ground that will fill up very quickly. As it stands apart from that there is limited street parking and then extra parking down the road at Common Edge.
In the Ground
Facilities : Squires Gate have a clubhouse that will be serving alcohol & soft drinks, with pies and confectionary. A tea hut serving hot drinks, pies and confectionery. They will also have 2/3 outdoor cash only pop up bars, as well as a BBQ and Hot Dog stand that will also be cash only.
Sat Nav Postcode: FY4 5DS
WhatThreeWords: ///tuck.jabs.defeat
Match Coverage & Live Stream
If you are unable to make the game, 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 content via the club’s YouTube Channel. Click to subscribe and never miss highlights and match reaction across the season.
Audio Commentary: Roch Valley Radio will be providing commentary for this game. 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 half time and full time 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
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We are delighted to announce we are planning a test event on Thursday 1st August for our brand-new 3G pitch.
This will be the first opportunity to see the pitch in all its glory following extensive and fabulous work by McArdle Sports.
The Men’s first team will host an open training session on the pitch from 6:45pm until 8pm.
It will be the first time Dave McNabb and his side will train on the new surface.
Entry will be free via the turnstiles at the Manchester Road end from 6pm. No tickets are required.
A can bar will be available for drinks in the stand.
The club shop will also be open on the night.
The Car Park will be closed to fans.
For those who have reserved a seat with their season ticket at Gigg Lane, you will have the opportunity check your seat and your view.
Please note that the ground is still undergoing some final preparations prior to the 10th August, so we would ask that you bear with us at this time.
Phil Young, Chair of the Football Supporters’ Society of Bury, said “The new pitch looks immaculate. At this time of year there are always a lot of people excited to watch Bury play on it, but this time we also have a lot of people who can’t wait to play on it themselves.
“It’s been funded through a combination of Bury Council and national government money, in addition to the funds provided by Society membership fees. It will be transformational in bringing more people into the stadium throughout the week and eventually, we hope, into the football club on a matchday.”
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