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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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    Treasureline: Week 48

    This week’s Treasureline Winners for Week 48 – 26th April 2023 are in! The rollover this week was £1500 and remember it can reach up to a life-changing £10,000!!
    Prize Draw No. Members Name £1500 Rollover SE3664 NO WINNER £1000 PB3781 I JACKSON £100 LL1615 A SHARP £50 WE5066 P BARNETT £50 HC4560 P WAINMAN £25 HJ5380 T GLEDHILL £25 BA0847 B BROOKS £10 PC4085 M BELLAMY £10 WC0523 MRS FLASHMAN £10 BL4683 R HANNAY £10 HJ0106 R WALTON £10 BE3802 P HOGAN £10 MN2287 K KNIGHT £10 GP0246 J CLARKE £10 NG1903 R EBDON £10 GP5997 G SIDDLE £10 HL5494 ECLIPSE ENERGY 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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    Message to the fans & members from Terry Robinson

    In this coming weeks the future of football in Bury at a professional level will be decided by members of the original supporters and members of Bury AFC. The fact that the benefactors have secured Gigg Lane was thought it would be a catalyst to join both groups of supporters. The original aim when Bury […]
    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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