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The Curious Case of the Missing Trophies – and the Fans Who Still Hold Them for “Safety” For us as Bury FC supporters, 27 August 2019 is a date that will forever be etched into our memory. On that night, the English Football League (EFL) convened, voted, and expelled our club from its ranks, ending 134 years of continuous membership and stripping one of England’s oldest football institutions of its league status. It was early evening when representatives from our supporters’ group Forever Bury arrived at Gigg Lane. Some of us came to comfort devastated fans who had gathered at the stadium, others to liaise with the media and keep those at home updated on last‑ditch negotiations with prospective buyers. For many of us, the atmosphere was one of disbelief – supporters dazed and broken, struggling to comprehend what was happening to our beloved club. Amid the chaos, one Forever Bury representative recalls taking a call from colleagues working behind the scenes on a potential rescue deal when they were quietly approached by a supporter, away from the crowds. Their concern wasn’t about the takeover talks, but something more tangible: our club’s history. This fan admitted they had already worked with members of staff to remove some of our club’s most precious items – including the recently won League Two Runners‑Up trophy – and had hidden them “in their loft for safety.” Their fear was that, with the club in financial freefall, historic memorabilia might be sold off, lost, or even destroyed. This was not an isolated act. Weeks earlier, another supporter had driven his work van to the Carrington training ground and filled it with our club’s possessions – framed photographs, posters, training equipment and other artefacts. They later told Forever Bury that these items were being kept in a lockup at their business premises, again, in an effort to “protect” them from being sold off to pay debts. In the months and years that followed Bury’s expulsion, our fanbase itself fractured. Some of us walked away, unable to bear the pain. Others poured their energy into the phoenix club, Bury AFC. Many remained in limbo, still yearning for the identity, history, and pride tied up in Bury FC. For all of us, the sense of loss and betrayal will never fully heal. Meanwhile, the fate of much of our club’s memorabilia – trophies, shirts, photographs, and other artefacts collected since its formation in 1885 – remains uncertain. While some items have been recovered, others are still believed to be in the hands of individuals who insist they are safeguarding them. Our club’s Heritage Committee has made repeated attempts to catalogue and reclaim assets on behalf of the community. The aim is to preserve them collectively, not privately – to ensure Bury’s legacy belongs to all of us, not a few individuals who believe they alone can decide the future of our history. Why write this article?Because the time has come to return the missing history that binds our club together. These items – the cups, the medals, the photographs, the shirts – are not possessions to be hoarded in lofts or hidden away in businesses. They are community assets, symbols of a shared past that belong to every one of us who has ever stood on the terraces at Gigg Lane. It is not for one individual to decide what happens to our history. That responsibility belongs collectively to us, the fans, and to representatives such as the Heritage Committee, whose role is to safeguard, support, and preserve the legacy of Bury FC for future generations. So this is an appeal, not an accusation. We urge those who hold these priceless pieces of our story – particularly the 2019 League Two Runners‑Up trophy, the last piece of silverware lifted before expulsion – to return them to their rightful home: our club and our community. Until they are returned, the story of Bury FC remains incomplete. And just as the fight to restore our club has always been a collective one, so too must be the task of restoring our history. A Way ForwardWe want to make clear that this is not about blame, but about reconciliation. If you currently hold items of our club’s history, we are more than willing to act as mediators and help ensure they are safely returned to the club. You can remain anonymous – your identity will not be disclosed. All we ask is that you take the step to give these pieces of history back to where they belong. If you are willing to return items, please reach out to us using the clicking this link: Contact Us or emailing us via enquiries@uptheshakers.co.uk. Together, we can restore these symbols of our heritage to their rightful place – for our club, our fans, and our community.

Dave McNabb has released the following message to supporters: Good evening Shakers, I know it’s been a turbulent time over the last couple of days with the events that have unfolded but I wanted to reach out to you all and ask that we all continue to focus on the football, keep driving the team on and try to remain positive. I’d like to place on record my thanks to Phil and Marcel who brought me into the club. The pair have worked tirelessly in the background and have been a driving force in getting us to where we are today. As we enter a transition period for the club there will be lots of opinions and thoughts about how we move forward, we must support the board behind the scenes to navigate us though this challenging time and trust the upcoming electoral process will deliver us the right people and structure to continue to propel the club forward. In the meantime, let’s all do our bit to ensure we achieve our goals and objectives on the pitch this year. Whether that is picking the team, coaching the team, playing staff, volunteers or fans, we all have our roles to play to ensure this season is a success. We have had a very positive start and we couldn’t have achieved what we have so far without you, the fans. The team now needs you more than ever, in your numbers and as loud and proud as ever. See you tomorrow, Dave View the full article

The FA has today released the club allocations for the 2025/26 season, confirming that we will compete in the Northern Premier League West Division following our promotion from the North West Counties Premier Division. This news marks another significant milestone in our journey as we continue climbing the football pyramid. After a strong and determined campaign last season, we are proud to be taking our place in a competitive division full of both familiar faces and new challenges. Joining us in the West Division are fellow promoted sides Lower Breck and Shifnal Town, as well as Darlaston Town and Sporting Khalsa, who enter the division through lateral movement. Wythenshawe Town have also been granted a reprieve and remain in the division following Farsley Celtic, failing to be awarded a Step 1-4 club licence and requesting to be considered for placement at Step 5 or 6. The Full Line-Up for NPL West 2025/26:Atherton Collieries Avro Bootle Bury FC Chasetown Clitheroe Congleton Town Darlaston Town Kidsgrove Athletic Lower Breck Mossley Nantwich Town Newcastle Town Runcorn Linnets Shifnal Town Sporting Khalsa Stafford Rangers Stalybridge Celtic Trafford Vauxhall Motors Witton Albion Wythenshawe Town As we enter this new chapter, your support will be more important than ever as we take on a new set of opponents and aim to make our mark in the Northern Premier League. Fixture release dates will follow in due course. We can’t wait to see you all back at Gigg Lane for what promises to be another exciting season. Up the Shakers! View the full article

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

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

Each year, we remember those who gave the ultimate sacrifice for their country, sovereign, families and loved ones in order that we may live our lives in freedom and safety. It is important for us all to reflect on the lives lost, the families and friends affected and those who were injured whilst serving their country. As a mark of respect, ahead of our home game next Saturday against Pilkington, we will take a moment to remember all those brave men and women who have lost their lives in many conflicts and wars around the world and in service to our country at home. We owe them so much in countless ways. Especially poignant this year are memories of those who served in the D-Day landings of 1944 and the 25th anniversary of the end of the war in Bosnia and the Balkans where the British and NATO armed forces served with distinction in the Peace Keeping Force. Not only do we remember the armed services, the Army, Navy and RAF, but also the emergency services, Police, Fire and Rescue and Ambulance Services and all those who work within the NHS and social care and who serve to keep us safe. We also welcome special guests His Worship, the Mayor of Bury, Councillor Khalid Hussain, Lady Mayoress, Mrs Carol Bernstein and the Rector of Bury Parish Church, Reverend Julian Heaton. We are proud to launch the opening of our Veterans Bar for this fixture where service veterans will be able to gather together on match days and drop in sessions supported by The Two Tubs Public House and the landlady Donna Haslam. This will deepen our connection with veterans in the area which is so important to us as a club in a town with strong military connections. Saturday will be free of charge for all veterans, entry will be via the main reception on production of ID. We also remember those within the Bury FC family who have passed away. We particularly remember those who have passed away since our last memorial game. All those we have lost are missed by their fellow supporters, family and friends. Whilst their may be an empty seat, an unworn scarf or a missing click of the turnstile, each Shaker has made their own mark on the club, leaving their unique legacy and we remember them all with our own special memories. We are a town with a proud history of association with the Lancashire Fusiliers and the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers and we continue the tradition of trooping the colour. We would ask supporters to be in their seats as early as possible for the remembrance service beginning ahead of kick-off. View the full article

Following four games on the road, we’ve got a busy run of home games coming with three (possibly four) home games in a ten-day period. After our away win at Blyth in the FA Cup yesterday, our game on Saturday 28th September vs FC St Helens will be postponed, in order to play in the Third Qualifying Round Fixture. We would like to provide updates on several areas ahead of this run of games. Ticketing For our FA Vase tie against Burscough next Saturday, we will be opening the South Stand ONLY. Season tickets aren’t valid for this fixture. We will be offering a 50% discount code for everyone who buys a ticket for our FA Vase tie for the following home game against Stockport Town on Tuesday 24th to support fans financially with ticket costs. Click here to purchase your FA Vase ticket. Matchday & Matchball Sponsorship We have availability for our Matchday & Matchball Sponsor packages for two of our upcoming four home games – vs Burscough & FC St Helens. Click here for full details on the packages. If you’re interested in this great opportunity, please email commercial@buryfc.co.uk Legend Guest Speaker We are able to confirm our next three legends that will speak in Eyelevel Sponsors Lounge & Starkies. Saturday 21st September – vs Burscough – Paddy Kenny Tuesday 24th September – vs Stockport Town – Mike Walsh Tuesday 1st October – vs Chadderton – Rob Matthews Please note – all speakers are subject to availability. Starkies Starkies will also be free of charge for the two games on 21st & 24th September. No ticket will be required. Existing Starkies pass holders for the league game on the 24th vs Stockport Town will receive a programme & pie. Car Park Following games at Gigg Lane, the car park is closed for 15 minutes after the final whistle to allow fans to leave safely. This is based on police advice after a ‘near miss’ incident last season. View the full article