Bury News Feed

Now that the North West Counties Football League (NWCFL) have confirmed that there will be a whopping 24 teams in the Premier Division next season we can confirm both single and season ticket prices, along with further information about disability tickets and potential availability of stands. Season tickets are now available to purchase. CLICK HERE TO BUY Single Match Tickets Adult £10 16-18 Year Olds £5 Under 16s £3 Under 5s Free We have set the cost of a single adult ticket at £10. This is higher than many clubs in non-league Step 5 but we are not the first club in the NWCFL to charge this. Macclesfield and Isle of Man have previously charged £10 to cover the costs of their larger stadiums where additional stewarding is required. We will need to employ more stewards to comply with the requirements of our safety certificate and to provide catering staff to supply food and beverages around the ground. Volunteer support is very much welcomed but will not be enough on its own. We appreciate price inflation is affecting everyone at the moment, including the club, but believe the prices to be fair in the circumstances. We have introduced a new lower ticket price for 16-18 year olds, which is only available on the turnstile on production of some relevant valid photo ID e.g., driver’s licence, a student card with an expiry date. Season Tickets For all 23 home league games, includes VAT, excludes booking fee: Adult £196 Under 16s £50 Under 5s Free The NWCFL rules only allow us to offer a maximum of a 15% discount on season tickets so the season ticket price is set at a point designed purely to comply with this rule. We are unable to reduce it further. We are now starting work on parts of the stadium which can provide additional hospitality beyond the usual purchases of food and drinks from kiosks, but this will take time to complete. As a result we are focusing on sales of standard season tickets for now. We are grateful for the generosity of over 50 individuals who have agreed to pay the ‘old’ rate of £720 for an 1885 suite hospitality season ticket inclusive of VAT. We know this is a high price to pay and it was agreed before the number of league fixtures was known. It allows us to pay for much of the stewarding required to open the main stand for the season. We have a number of 1885 suite season tickets which can still be purchased. Season Ticket Cards Only Guaranteed if Bought by 1st July All purchasers of single match or season tickets will be sent a receipt with a QR code by email and by text (as long as you provide your mobile number) after purchase. Please check your junk mail for your receipt as it can often go there. You must save this QR code as it is required for entry to the game and will be scanned at the turnstile. If you receive it by text and use an iPhone you can save it to your Apple Wallet. Single Match tickets are digital only, we will not provide a paper ticket. However you may print your QR code at home if you do not have a smart phone to present it on. All season ticket orders received by 1st July will be printed onto a season ticket card which you can present at the turnstile instead of the digital ticket if you wish. Season tickets bought after the 1st July will be digital only. Disability Tickets We have used the best practice guidance set out by Level Playing Field for ticketing and seating management for disabled supporters, and had input from a small number of our own disabled fans and other clubs. This follows the concept of making a more considered ‘reasonable adjustment’ rather than just a concession on price. In accordance with this guidance, anyone with a disability requiring the assistance of a carer will be asked to purchase a ticket at full price and then offered a free carer ticket for someone to escort them to the game. Purchasers of free carer tickets will be contacted by email to provide evidence of disability which can be one of the following documents: Receipt of the mid-rate care element or the high-rate mobility component of the Disability Living Allowance (DLA), War Pensioners’ Mobility Supplement or Personal Independence Payments (PIP). Receipt of either the Severe Disablement Allowance or Attendance Allowance. War Pensioners’ Mobility Allowance or War or Service Disablement Pension for 80% or more disability. Blind or partially sighted registration certificate (BD8 or CVI Certificate). Further advice can be found on the Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB) website. Confirmation in writing from Social Services that the individual is included on their Deaf Register, or a letter or report from an aural specialist confirming that hearing loss has been recorded at 70 – 95 dBHL or worse. Confirmation in writing from Social Services that the individual has a learning difficulty or disability. For children – a letter from the head teacher at a their school confirming eligibility will be acceptable. We reserve the right to cancel carer tickets where evidence is requested and not produced. We will make 25 season tickets available for wheelchair users along with a carer. These will be in the South Stand. If we open up additional stands which have wheelchair spaces these will be available as single match tickets. Seating and Stands It is unlikely that all stands will be open due to the stringent safety requirements and consequent costs of opening stands where crowds do not require it. As a result we are not offering reserved seating for this first season back at Gigg Lane. We know this will disappoint some but it is unlikely to prevent many people from sitting in their old seat with so much seating available. We will prioritize the South and North (Main) stands for opening on a matchday which will offer spectators the best views and facilities. We will not make dramatic changes to the layout and functioning of Gigg Lane as a stadium in the short space of time we have until the start of the season so you should consider its development as a work in progress. It is important that we prioritize safety at this point and we will be constantly looking for feedback from supporters as to how we can improve their matchday experience throughout the season and beyond.

Now that the North West Counties Football League (NWCFL) have confirmed that there will be a whopping 24 teams in the Premier Division next season we can confirm both single and season ticket prices, along with further information about disability tickets and potential availability of stands. Season tickets are now available to purchase. CLICK HERE TO BUY Single Match Tickets Adult £10 16-18 Year Olds £5 Under 16s £3 Under 5s Free We have set the cost of a single adult ticket at £10. This is higher than many clubs in non-league Step 5 but we are not the first club in the NWCFL to charge this. Macclesfield and Isle of Man have previously charged £10 to cover the costs of their larger stadiums where additional stewarding is required. We will need to employ more stewards to comply with the requirements of our safety certificate and to provide catering staff to supply food and beverages around the ground. Volunteer support is very much welcomed but will not be enough on its own. We appreciate price inflation is effecting everyone at the moment, including the club, but believe the prices to be fair in the circumstances. We have introduced a new lower ticket price for 16-18 year olds, which is only available on the turnstile on production of some relevant valid photo ID e.g., driver’s license, a student card with an expiry date. Season Tickets For all 23 home league games, includes VAT, excludes booking fee: Adult £196 Under 16s £50 Under 5s Free The NWCFL rules only allow us to offer a maximum of a 15% discount on season tickets so the season ticket price is set at a point designed purely to comply with this rule. We are unable to reduce it further. We are now starting work on parts of the stadium which can provide additional hospitality beyond the usual purchases of food and drinks from kiosks, but this will take time to complete. As a result we are focusing on sales of standard season tickets for now. We are grateful for the generosity of over 50 individuals who have agreed to pay the ‘old’ rate of £720 for an 1885 suite hospitality season ticket inclusive of VAT. We know this is a high price to pay and it was agreed before the number of league fixtures was known. It allows us to pay for much of the stewarding required to open the main stand for the season. We have a number of 1885 suite season tickets which can still be purchased. Season Ticket Cards Only Guaranteed if Bought by 1st July All purchasers of single match or season tickets will be sent a receipt with a QR code by email and by text (as long as you provide your mobile number) after purchase. Please check your junk mail for your receipt as it can often go there. You must save this QR code as it is required for entry to the game and will be scanned at the turnstile. If you receive it by text and use an iPhone you can save it to your Apple Wallet. Single Match tickets are digital only, we will not provide a paper ticket. However you may print your QR code at home if you do not have a smart phone to present it on. All season ticket orders received by 1st July will be printed onto a season ticket card which you can present at the turnstile instead of the digital ticket if you wish. Season tickets bought after the 1st July will be digital only. Disability Tickets We have used the best practice guidance set out by Level Playing Field for ticketing and seating management for disabled supporters, and had input from a small number of our own disabled fans and other clubs. This follows the concept of making a more considered ‘reasonable adjustment’ rather than just a concession on price. In accordance with this guidance, anyone with a disability requiring the assistance of a carer will be asked to purchase a ticket at full price and then offered a free carer ticket for someone to escort them to the game. Purchasers of free carer tickets will be contacted by email to provide evidence of disability which can be one of the following documents: Receipt of the mid-rate care element or the high-rate mobility component of the Disability Living Allowance (DLA), War Pensioners’ Mobility Supplement or Personal Independence Payments (PIP). Receipt of either the Severe Disablement Allowance or Attendance Allowance. War Pensioners’ Mobility Allowance or War or Service Disablement Pension for 80% or more disability. Blind or partially sighted registration certificate (BD8 or CVI Certificate). Further advice can be found on the Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB) website. Confirmation in writing from Social Services that the individual is included on their Deaf Register, or a letter or report from an aural specialist confirming that hearing loss has been recorded at 70 – 95 dBHL or worse. Confirmation in writing from Social Services that the individual has a learning difficulty or disability. For children – a letter from the head teacher at a their school confirming eligibility will be acceptable. We reserve the right to cancel carer tickets where evidence is requested and not produced. We will make 25 season tickets available for wheelchair users along with a carer. These will be in the South Stand. If we open up additional stands which have wheelchair spaces these will be available as single match tickets. Seating and Stands It is unlikely that all stands will be open due to the stringent safety requirements and consequent costs of opening stands where crowds do not require it. As a result we are not offering reserved seating for this first season back at Gigg Lane. We know this will disappoint some but it is unlikely to prevent many people from sitting in their old seat with so much seating available. We will prioritize the South and North (Main) stands for opening on a matchday which will offer spectators the best views and facilities. We will not make dramatic changes to the layout and functioning of Gigg Lane as a stadium in the short space of time we have until the start of the season so you should consider its development as a work in progress. It is important that we prioritize safety at this point and we will be constantly looking for feedback from supporters as to how we can improve their matchday experience throughout the season and beyond. View the full article

Bury FC are delighted to confirm Tom Kilifin as our latest addition ahead of the 2023/24 season. The 30-year-old former Kendal Town man, scored 33 goals in 44 games last season and will link up with his new team from July 1st. Tom has also made appearances for Lancaster City & Workington When asked about Andy approaching him to join the club, Kilifin said: “Bury are a massive club and I am looking forward to helping them get back where they belong.” “Playing here at Gigg Lane in front of a big crowd every week, soon as I spoke with Andy there was only one place I wanted to be. “Aims for this season are to score as many goals as possible and gaining promotion out of this league.” View the full article

Bury FC are delighted to announce Carl Dickinson will be joining the club for the 2023/24 season. The 36-year-old brings a wealth of experience including over 400 EFL appearances for the likes of Yeovil Town, Watford & Stoke City. He’s also got experience at the non-league level, he managed Hanley Town to their promotion from the Midland League in the 2021/22 season. Upon announcing his intent to join the club Dickinson said: “Really excited about the opportunity to come and play at this historic club. “To be able to have that buzz of walking out a tunnel to a crowd again was something I couldn’t miss along with the ambition the club and the gaffer have. “I can’t wait to be a part of it all and try and get the club promoted. I can’t wait to meet my new teammates and the fans.” View the full article

We are pleased to announce our pre-season fixture list, following the announcement of football returning to Gigg Lane this summer. We start at the first opportunity on Saturday 1st July by re-visiting Dennyfield to take on Step 5 Thackley AFC. This comes as part of the agreement that saw Tom Greaves and Aidan Chippendale sign for Bury for the final few games of last season. There will be the added bonus of our women’s side taking on Thackley Ladies in an early kick-off (times TBC). There will be a day of fun in West Yorkshire to get the season off to a flyer. We head to the Project Solar Stadium the following Tuesday (4th) and take on Step 3 Hyde United, 7.45pm KO, before the BIG ONE and the return home to Bury for the first time since May 2019. We are pleased to announce that for the restart of men’s football down at Gigg Lane with a double header weekend, first we welcome Mark Hughes and his League Two outfit Bradford City on Saturday 8th July, 3pm KO. Following Saturdays mammoth fixture on the Sunday we welcome Ryan Lowe and his Championship side Preston North End. Tickets are already on sale for this massive return to Gigg Lane below. We follow up with another home game on Tuesday 11th July when fan-owned 1874 Northwich head to Gigg Lane, kick-off at 7.45pm. The following weekend, we then head to the Moss Rose to take on Northern Premier League Macclesfield FC (Saturday 15th July, 3pm KO) before heading back to Gigg to take on Step 6 Stockport Town on Tuesday 18th July, in a 7.45pm KO. Our last game of pre sesaon is due to take place at Gigg Lane on Saturday 22nd July as we welcome Yorkshire side Golcar United to Gigg Lane. Due to calendar restrictions, we have been unable to fulfill our planned fixture at Seel Park this coming pre-season, but are committed to heading back over to Mossley next year. Full details on pre-season can be found below. Pre-Season Programme (as 11th June) Sat 1st July, Thackley AFC Ladies (KO TBC) & Thackley AFC (KO TBC) Dennyfield, Thackley (Location HERE) Tues 4th July, 7.45pm KO against Hyde United The Project Solar Stadium (Location HERE) Sat 8th July, 3pm KO against Bradford City Gigg Lane, Bury (Tickets HERE, Location HERE) Sun 9th July, 3pm KO against Preston North End Gigg Lane, Bury (Tickets Here, Location HERE) Tues 11th July, 7.45pm KO against 1874 Northwich Gigg Lane, Bury (Tickets Here, Location HERE) Sat 15th July, 3pm KO against Macclesfield FC Moss Rose, Macclesfield (Location HERE) Tues 18th July, 7.45pm KO against Stockport Town Gigg Lane, Bury (Tickets Here, Location HERE) Sat 22nd July, 3pm KO against Golcar United Gigg Lane, Bury (Tickets here, Location HERE) #PartOfIt | #ShakersTogether | #BacktoGiggLan View the full article

Bury FC are delighted to confirm the signing of attacker Darius Palma, as he becomes the latest signing at Gigg Lane. The 24-year-old joins the club from fellow NWCFL team Wythenshawe Town, who he made 45 appearances including 37 starts last season and scored 19 goals. He’s also had spells at Altrincham, Trafford & Curzon Ashton. Upon signing for the club, Darius told buryfc.co.uk: “I’m made up to be joining a club like Bury, it’s a club that I feel will help me progress and learn new things to add to my game. “What attracted me to the club was the ambition it has going forward and also the opportunity to play in a ground like Gigg Lane in front of such a huge following. “As for aims this season, obviously we want to get promoted and start climbing the leagues and get the club back playing as high as possible.” View the full article

Bury FC are delighted to confirm the latest summer signing of defender Matty Williams. The 26-year-old full-back became the sixth player to sign on the dotted line at Gigg Lane ahead of the 2023/24 season. Williams is very experienced for the level he was previously a part of the squad that saw Radcliffe promoted to the Northern Premier League Premier Division in 2019. Matty made 111 appearances for Andy Welsh at Bury AFC, starting 109 of those and only two from the subs bench. “I’m really happy to have signed and can’t wait to be playing at Gigg Lane, Williams said. “My aims for the season are to help get the club promoted and win one of the cups.” View the full article

We are pleased to announce that for the restart of men’s football down at Gigg Lane, we will be welcoming two huge local sides on a Saturday-Sunday double-header in early July. To kick us off Mark Hughes brings his League Two outfit Bradford City to town on Saturday 8th July, 3pm. Following this up, and he needs no introduction to the Bury faithful, Ryan Lowe brings his Championship-side Preston North End to Gigg Lane on Sunday 9th July, also a 3pm kick-off. Both sides have committed to bringing down full squads for the fixture at the home of football in Bury. To purchase a home-end ticket for either of these games, click on the badges above. Double-Header Ticket To buy a ‘Double-Header’ ticket and attend both games, click on the image below: Visiting Fan Tickets The allocation of tickets for visiting supporters will be communicated by each club, with areas of the ground will be segregated so supporters can be appropriately managed. Bradford City It’s been over five years since Bury and Bradford City last did battle, in 2017/18, a season which saw Bury relegated from League One. Despite it being a generally shocking campaign for the Shakers, we managed to get four points off our visitors, winning 3-1 at Gigg Lane (even Chris Maguire scored!) and a last gasp George Miller equaliser made it 2-2 at Valley Parade. Both sides have had their ups and downs, we’ve played each other in every Division bar the Premier League in the last 30-35 years, as well as the Football League Trophy, the League Cup and an FA Cup Third Round tie in 2015/16. After a pair of 0-0 draws, Bury won the replay on penalties to reach the Fourth Round. Matches between the two teams have always been exciting and dramatic, and given the relatively short distance between us, there is very often a large away following particularly when the Bantams travel over the Pennines to Gigg Lane. We look forward to welcoming all Bantams to Gigg Lane, once again. Preston North End Another team that need little introduction to Shakers fans, with paths crossing a little further back in 2012 but with some classics along the way. The big plus sees Ryan Lowe, manager at Gigg Lane in 2019 and a big part of the last memories of that unforgettable promotion still very fresh in the minds of all supporters, returning to be part of the formal re-opening of the stadium he once called home. We wish to place on record our thanks to the managers and administrators of both teams to enable these fixtures to take place. To be playing each once again is something to savour. We want to welcome our friends from Bradford and Preston, and thank them for helping us restart our journey and our history as Bury Football Club! #ShakersTogether | #PartOfIt | #DoubleHeader View the full article

This week’s Treasureline Winners for Week 2 – 31st May 2023 are in! The rollover this week was £1000 and remember it can reach up to a life-changing £10,000!! Prize Draw No. Members Name £1000 Rollover LM2235 A LAMMING £1000 OB6821 J JOY £100 HD4870 J ROBERTS £50 SD1504 C HOWARTH £50 MN5184 K MCGUINESS £25 LN2423 C BARBER £25 NF5856 G JONES £10 HJ6756 D MARSDEN £10 LK5639 H SMITH £10 BK2064 D LAWFORD £10 NB5870 W HANNAH £10 LL1281 C OVERFIELD £10 BC2592 L RUSSELL £10 NQ6162 G POWER £10 HA5409 D BATES £10 NN2220 C MURPHY £10 HL6307 R SUNDERLAND View the full article on the Bury AFC website

The club are delighted to confirm our second summer signing of defender Gareth Peet. The 33-year-old joins the club after leaving Atherton Collieries in May, for which he is the record appearance holder at the club. Peet made 36 appearances for the club in his final season, scoring twice, the latter of which was on the final day of the season, which was his 50th goal for the club. He joined Colls in 2010, having previously played for Skelmersdale United. Gaz is described as a tricky wing-back with a killer eye from free-kicks. Upon signing for the club, Peet said: “I am really excited to be signed, the history of the club and also the chance to help the club progress on the pitch is the main reason I’ve signed, I want to get promoted in front of all the fans is the aim.” Manager, Andy Welsh added: “Gaz is someone I’ve been monitoring for years now. He has an unbelievable engine to get up and down the pitch joining in attacks but also most importantly defensively very hard to beat. “He has come from a much higher level and offers us the experience we need at the club to build on and add competition to an already very strong group of players and I’m pretty sure if he performs like we know he can he is a player that will be a firm fans favourite with his hard working performances.” Peet joins Benito Lowe in joining the club this summer, alongside Jack Atkinson, Lewis Gilboy & Connor Comber who have also signed for the 2023/24 season. View the full article

Bury FC are delighted to confirm the first summer signing, 25-year-old forward Benito Lowe, who has signed a contract ahead of the 2023/24 season. Lowe joins the club with a wealth of experience in the local non-league pyramid, having played 34 games for Wythenshawe Town last season, scoring 22 goals. Football runs in the family, with his late dad Gary managing Curzon Ashton to the FA Cup first round & Hyde United to the National League North. In his youth, Benito spent time at Sheffield United and was also attracting attention from fellow league clubs, Portsmouth & Fleetwood. Before his time at Wythenshawe Town, most of his non-league career had been spent at New Mills he made 76 appearances over four seasons, before joining Curzon Ashton in 2022. Lowe made six appearances for the Nash at the start of the 2022/23 season before joining Wythenshawe Town. He’s also registered appearances for Abbey Hey, Ashton United & Skelmersdale. Benito Lowe pictured with his mum at Gigg Lane following his signing. Benito spoke of how Gigg Lane was a massive attraction to him joining the club. “It was a no-brainer for me really, and I solidified my decision when I turned up [at Gigg Lane] with my mum, and looked out onto the pitch. “Everyone knows, we shouldn’t be where we’re playing, and we’ve got ambitions this year to win the league and hopefully it’s a stepping stone for all of us.” “Everything about the place, I can’t wait to get going now.” Manager, Andy Welsh commented on his first summer signing. “Benito has had a fantastic year at Wythenshawe, he’s someone that came on the radar when he was at New Mills in the previous season. Andy Welsh (left) shaking hands with new signing Benito Lowe (right) “It’s his overall game, he knows he’s coming here to learn more about his game. He could be a really good addition and someone that the fans should get excited about.” View the full article

Jack is Back! The 22-year-old Welsh shot-stopper has been integral to Andy Welsh’s side over the past two seasons, clocking up 98 appearances. Atkinson signed for the club in July 2021 and has been a fan favourite ever since. Making the big saves along the way and can’t forget banging the drum in the Isle of Man. Last season he picked up the North West Counties Division One North Goalkeeper of the Year award. Jack’s aims are clear to see ahead of the new campaign. “I want to get another promotion with this club, as I’ve really enjoyed my time with the club and I’ve been given the opportunity for another season with the club and I’m absolutely buzzing to be at a new stadium. With it being three or four years since the first competitive game that’s going to be played here, the place is going to be absolutely rocking for the majority of the season. If we are hitting good form like we have been for the last two seasons, I’m sure it will be a really good place to be for the next season.” #PartOfIt | #ShakersTogether View the full article

We are delighted to extend the contract of winger Connor Comber. The 23-year-old joined the club in August after leaving Atherton LR and signed a contract in December until the end of the 2022/23 season, which has been extended for a further year. Comber knocked up 45 appearances last season, with the second most goal contributions amongst the squad, scoring 18 goals and supplying five assists. He’s also been on-trial in the last 18 months at EFL side Queens Park Rangers, so he’s a player we are delighted to retain. “I can’t wait to get going, it’s going to be big, very big. I want to get as many goals as I possibly can and I want to lift everyone here that’s watching.” View the full article

We are happy to announce the Lewis Gilboy has extended his stay with the Shakers putting pen to paper for the coming season. The 23-year-old joined the club in August 2020 after being released by Accrington Stanley. He also had non-league experience before coming to join Andy Welsh’s team after playing 10 games for City of Liverpool just before the pandemic in March 2020. Lewis had the most goal contributions last season, with 32. Scoring 22 and assisting a further 10. He’s also the second highest on the appearance charts with a 105 apperances. “I have had a good few seasons with Bury, with things happening and the club moving forward as a whole. We’ve got goals that we want to be hitting for next season, as a team he [Andy Welsh] wants me in that side and I want to be a part of it. It’s going to be a massive season for us and hopefully with some silverware at the end of it.” #PartOfIt | #ShakersTogether View the full article

In the words of Lionel Richie, we are delighted to confirm three players that have extended their contracts for the 2023/24 season. Starting with the No.1, it’s Jack Atkinson. The 22-year-old Welsh shot-stopper has been integral to Andy Welsh’s side over the past two seasons, clocking up 98 appearances. Atkinson signed for the club in July 2021 and has been a fan favourite ever since. Making the big saves along the way and can’t forget banging the drum in the Isle of Man. Last season he picked up the North West Counties Division One North Goalkeeper of the Year award. Jack’s aims are clear to see ahead of the new campaign. “I want to get another promotion with this club, as I’ve really enjoyed my time with the club and I’ve been given the opportunity for another season with the club and I’m absolutely buzzing to be at a new stadium. With it being three or four years since the first competitive game that’s going to be played here, the place is going to be absolutely rocking for the majority of the season. If we are hitting good form like we have been for the last two seasons, I’m sure it will be a really good place to be for the next season.” From the backline to the forward line, we are delighted to extend the contract of winger Connor Comber. The 23-year-old joined the club in August after leaving Atherton LR and signed a contract in December until the end of the 2022/23 season, which has been extended for a further year. Comber knocked up 45 appearances last season, with the second most goal contributions amongst the squad, scoring 18 goals and supplying five assists. He’s also been on-trial in the last 18 months at EFL side Queens Park Rangers, so he’s a player we are delighted to retain. “I can’t wait to get going, it’s going to be big, very big. I want to get as many goals as I possibly can and I want to lift everyone here that’s watching.” Another player that’s re-signed from the forward line is Lewis Gilboy. The 23-year-old joined the club in August 2020 after being released by Accrington Stanley. He also had non-league experience before coming to join Andy Welsh’s team after playing 10 games for City of Liverpool just before the pandemic in March 2020. Lewis had the most goal contributions last season, with 32. Scoring 22 and assisting a further 10. He’s also the second highest on the appearance charts with a 105 apperances. “I have had a good few seasons with Bury, with things happening and the club moving forward as a whole. We’ve got goals that we want to be hitting for next season, as a team he [Andy Welsh] wants me in that side and I want to be a part of it. It’s going to be a massive season for us and hopefully with some silverware at the end of it.” Manager Andy Welsh commented on the three contract extensions. “Lewis and Jack have had two really good seasons with us, proved themselves at these levels both in performances and off the field. Connor came in last year and he’s been an absolute revelation. We are expecting all of those to kick on again, and I think it’s important that fans can relate to players on the pitch.” #PartOfIt | #ShakersTogether | #BuryFC View the full article

Whilst Andy Welsh is already preparing for the 2023/24 season, we wanted fans to learn more about the man who will be managing the Shakers for this exciting time ahead. Welsh’s football pedigree goes right back to 2001 when he began his professional playing career at Stockport County. From there he went to progress right up to the top tier, playing in the Premier League for Sunderland. His career saw him play for many other clubs, and even saw him be part of Toronto FC’s inaugural season. He first became a manager at Ossett United. Welsh then joined Bury AFC in 2020 and the Manchester–born manager achieved promotion in their first full season as Champions of NWCFL Division One North. Welsh managed 101 games for Bury AFC, amassing 69 wins with a 74.55% win ratio and an eye–watering goal difference of +122. When asked about the footballing philosophies he will be instilling at Gigg Lane, Welsh said, “Wherever I go, I want to win games.” He demands “High–energy entertaining football” and acknowledges the community and town who come to watch the games. “(The fans) don’t pay all their hard–earned money to come and watch a lethargic team that sits behind a ball. We go and get after it, and we make life hard for the opponents.” Though Welsh has enjoyed success up to date, he is well aware of how the situation has changed. Following the successful amalgamation of Bury FC Supporters’ Society and Bury AFC, Welsh knows that those Bury fans who have not attended AFC games are a big part of this exciting journey. “It’ll be like Christmas time again. We want all those good feelings to come back for everybody. It’s about everybody coming together now. The history is always going to be there. It’s never going to go, but what we are in charge of now is creating our own future together.” There are many jobs to do in order to start building for the future. For Welsh, the first on his list is recruitment. While three players (Lewis Gilboy, Jack Atkinson and Connor Comber) carry through their contracts from Bury AFC, Welsh is already in the thick of attracting new players to the club. With his attitude towards winning clear, one of his main priorities is making sure whoever he signs would know the significance of playing for Bury Football Club. “It’s a privilege. It’s an honour. Any player that pulls that football shirt on has to feel the same, but most of all we have to enjoy it together.” Working together is something Welsh is passionate about. He will require the same of the squad he assembles. “It’s about making sure that the group of players we bring in work together and gel together. We’ve got to get used to playing together here at Gigg as well. My job as manager, our job as staff, is to get players used to playing at this club as quickly as they can, and to enjoy it as well.” Playing at Gigg Lane is something Welsh wants his players to go to sleep “dreaming about”. However, he knows the opposition will be no different. “We are everyone’s cup final. Everyone will want to come here and beat us.” Welsh knows the challenge ahead, but his focus remains on looking upwards. “We go into leagues to win them. We want to get promoted – no doubt about it.” Above all else, Welsh recognises the club is now fan–owned and the importance of working together is essential to success. From his time managing Bury AFC, he knows the value of creating a collaborative ethos. “One thing we built there was a fantastic family–orientated football club that got behind the players week in, week out.” With pre–season around the corner, Welsh wants fans to show no hesitation in helping the effort on and off the field. “Everyone is part of it. Everyone is going to be in a position to do their bit of getting us up the leagues, getting us into a position where we can fight back where the club used to be. It’s not about it starting tomorrow, we need everyone today. Everyone in the community coming together and spreading the word that Bury are back at Gigg Lane.” As we look forward to Bury back at Gigg Lane in August, Welsh is calling on everyone to be part of it. “We all now have to work together to get this football club back to where it belongs.” #PartOfIt | #ShakersTogether | #AndyWelsh View the full article

We are pleased to announce the results of our member vote on the kit designs and colours for the new season as we head into the 2023/24 season. As we reported when the kit vote went live last month, the team at Hope + Glory had headed into the Bury footballing archives to bring the supporters three new kit designs to choose from for both home and away kits. On the vote selection was also the question as to whether our new home kit would be trimmed in either ‘Royal’ or ‘Navy’ blue. We are delighted to report that next season’s kits are displayed below. We will be in Royal blue with selection No.2 winning in both cases! The background to the Hope + Glory EcoKit design can be found on our piece from last month here. As a reminder to all supporters, we are due to keep the home kit design for two seasons, with the chosen away kit in place for only a season to allow us the ability to only change one kit at a time in future. Our online shop should be up and running as soon as possible to enable supporters to place their order for the new kit! So keep your eyes glued to our social media for updates on this. #ShakersTogether | #PartOfIt View the full article

The launch of a new website for a new start. Since the results of the amalgamation vote were confirmed in May, with a resounding percentage of the support wanting to see football being played out of Gigg Lane in 2023/24 and following yesterday’s announcement that the name Bury Football Club can be used also, the media groups across the two separate entities have come together for a ‘New Start’ for football in the town of Bury. A fundamental part of spreading this message will be centred on our media output, with this website being a base for all of this. Wherever you are following from, make sure you keep it here for all your club updates. In readiness for the switch of name back to Bury Football Club, we are delighted to be back on the familiar buryfc.co.uk domain. There will be further updates to all areas in the coming weeks, where we will add access to season tickets, match fixtures and tables, on-line shop, history, contacts pages and membership logins. Please be patient while these changes are put into action. We look forward to bringing these to you as the new season draws closer. On social media, the teams have also worked hard to secure previous account details, which in some cases had either become dormant or unrecoverable post-2019. We have utilised these where possible and brought a consistent approach to the account names, with our men’s and women’s sides represented separately, where this works for covering each respective matchday output. You can connect with us across all of our social media channels below. Men’s First Team Women’s First Team Follow us here Men’s First Team Women’s First Team Subscribe Here Follow Us Here Connect With Us Here Whatever your background, come with us on this journey. We know you’re going to love it! If you want to be #PartOfIt in any way, contact the media department via our email address at media@buryfc.co.uk. #PartOfIt | #ShakersTogether View the full article

We are delighted to confirm that Bury Football Club will be back playing at Gigg Lane for the new season. The FA have now confirmed that the name Bury Football Club can be used in competition, and a squad is ready to start the 2023/24 season in the North West Counties Football League Premier Division. The club will use its full name, Bury Football Club, and the abbreviated Bury FC where appropriate. Where team names have a suffix, we will use Bury FC in the team name, for example Bury FC Reserves, Bury FC Women. The North West Counties Football League will simply show ‘Bury’ in all fixture lists and league table, in accordance with their convention. We want to thank all the people and organisations that have made this possible and who continue to support us on and off the pitch. Please join us on our adventure and become a member to help fund the club and allow you a say on how it is run. Everyone is welcome to join us on our wonderful journey. Up the Shakers and see you in July! #PartOfIt | #ShakersTogether View the full article

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

This week’s Treasureline Winners for Week 1 – 24th May 2023 are in! The rollover this week was £500 and remember it can reach up to a life-changing £10,000!! Prize Draw No. Members Name £500 Rollover WD6957 NO WINNER £1000 ND4195 P BRIERLY £100 RB5541 MRS TAYLOR £50 WC5606 M JACKSON £50 HJ6946 J SCOTT £25 NA1063 H HOLDEN £25 NA0985 L PATTERSON £10 NJ2051 S CROSTON £10 OB6230 J HANLEY £10 NN5444 K ALLEN £10 SA4855 C HARRIS £10 MN2966 T TOLLERSON £10 LJ2516 S MEARNS £10 HL1024 G THOMAS £10 WD1577 M TOMLINSON £10 GP4526 L SPENCER £10 LL2615 P METCALFE View the full article on the Bury AFC website

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

This week’s Treasureline Winners for Week 51 – 17th May 2023 are in! The rollover this week was £500 and remember it can reach up to a life-changing £10,000!! Prize Draw No. Members Name £500 Rollover HL1006 M BALDWIN £1000 LM2366 J HARRISON £100 HA3483 A PEACOCK £50 ND0612 R STARKIE £50 HK5722 M DALE £25 SD5643 M HEYWOOD £25 SB4012 D SELWOOD £10 SC5501 M LAWLEY £10 FA4412 C TOWNSLEY £10 NJ0425 M GALLOWAY £10 WB3934 L KAVANAGH £10 HD6994 M DYER £10 BK0440 P THOMAS £10 LK4156 J PERKIN £10 WB0579 MR ROCKETT £10 HK6080 P RILEY £10 LP0196 S RYCROFT View the full article on the Bury AFC website

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 above links. 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

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