Background and recent history
Back in 2019, it could have only been a pipe dream that we would own Gigg Lane. We had a narcissist as a previous owner who tried to asset-strip the club, moving the goalposts every time someone got close to purchasing. BFCSS remained in contact with Steve Dale throughout, until such time we then entered administration, at which point we then changed our communications to the administrator, Inquesta. At this point, the stadium debt was mortgaged and mortgaged in a long-running saga in which most of these funds never passed through the company’s accounts. During the process there was an opportunity to apply for a match funding Community Ownership Fund as part of the Levelling Up Fund through Boris Johnson (then Prime Minister), Rishi Sunak (then Chancellor, now Prime Minister) Michael Gove (Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities and Minister for Intergovernmental Relations) and local MP James Daly. All have been to Gigg Lane to see the asset which they have assisted in bringing life back to from an abandoned stadium.
Company Structures
As detailed in the plans since our acquisition of the stadium, we will have 3 companies. Bury Football Club which will hold the stadium, an Operations Company to operate the stadium and a Football Company to run the football operations. The ownership structure will be as it currently stands. This is to protect each business from being reliant should losses/insolvency occur. BFCSS and Bury Benefactors each have 50% in the Bury Football Club Company Limited with the Society having the deciding vote in any scenario. Each business has been set up to offer no debt, no mortgages and no Director loans to prevent financial mishaps again.
Bury FC Benefactors
We would like to reiterate we have a strong working relationship with Bury FC benefactors. All benefactors are avid Bury FC supporters; therefore, the club is 100% fan owned. The Club is owned 50/50 between the Bury Football Club Supporters’ Society (BFCSS) and the Bury FC Benefactors. As with any business, the contribution from every single benefactor to get us to this point has been crucial. From the joint application to gain the Government grant funding to enable 100% Bury supporters to purchase the stadium from administration, the paperwork, commitment, funding, every single penny has been invaluable. We now have a Management Executive Committee Board with four members of BFCSS and three members of BFC Benefactors, which ensures that the whole company structure remains in the hands of our members. Since last Friday’s announcement, we now have a potential benefactor who has provided proof of funds, and this is now subject to Bury FC Benefactors approval and acceptance.
Passion and Commitment
All Benefactors and BFCSS board members are passionate about Bury FC, with the single aim of bringing football back to Gigg Lane. The hours of work that everyone has put into this process so far shows an astounding commitment. We would like to extend an invitation to anyone who is passionate about Bury FC to make a personal commitment to help to move this project forward by getting involved.
Mandate on the outcome of the amalgamation voting process
The future of Bury Football Club, for now, has now been decided by the members of the official Bury Football Club Supporters’ Society. Talks between two groups of Bury FC supporters has, for the moment, ceased due to the failed amalgamation.
We will continue to engage and update members should things progress with talks about future amalgamation. Although the vote didn’t quite reach the required threshold for approval of the amalgamation (set by law) we will work to understand what the key issues are with regards to this, and continue to explore the opportunity to satisfy the majority of the members vote by reaching a more conclusive agreement at some point in the future.
Bury Football Club Supporters Society has always remained committed since the expulsion from EFL Sky Bet League One to save the stadium and look to unite the fanbase.
Going forwards we are hoping dialogue between the two Societies can continue to help find a way to unite the split fanbase across the borough in the future. We have been in contact with the FSA to let them know what we feel would help achieve the amalgamation of the societies in the future, but until then we have to continue to seek our own league applications and submit before deadlines until such time something changes. Until this time, every single Bury FC supporter is welcome back to Gigg Lane to enjoy our events, match days and use the function rooms as we continue to progress with the sustainability of Gigg Lane.
We now we have the chance to make our own footballing history and invite all Bury supporters, and football supporters in general, to unite and return back to Gigg Lane, the spiritual home of football since our formation back in 1885. No matter who you have supported or not supported since August 2019 you have friends, family and loyal supporters who have or haven’t watched any football, and now we have the chance to come together united, back home!
Future Funding
As part of our stadium acquisition through the Government’s Levelling Up Fund, the stadium was purchased, and remaining match funding was made available for stadium improvement works. Currently there are ongoing discussions between BFCSS and the Community Ownership Fund. It is clear that the Community Ownership Fund would have preferred a positive vote for amalgamation as that would follow the process and milestones within our agreements. Over the coming weeks we will work on the next steps, this could either involve the withdrawal of funding due to the non-amalgamation or with a revised business case and further benefactor funding we can look at the possibility of seeking to utilise the remaining grant funding.
We have been told at this stage accessing the remainder of the grant will be extremely difficult for us as an amalgamation was part of our initial plans. We are now required to submit a new business case and Community Engagement Programme to see if we can access additional matched funding. Additional funding through the Football Foundation and local community grants etc can now be explored further now the vote outcome is known. The stadium remains a sustainable asset, despite claims to the contrary. This is shown in our latest available accounts which are available for everyone to view, not just our members.
Making History
We are the official Bury Football Club Supporters’ Society, and we will be bringing football back to our town! Gigg Lane has been the home of football in Bury since 1885, and it hasn’t seen any competitive football since the demise back in 2019!
Anybody is welcome to join our journey; new or old, our ambition is to bring the Shakers family back to Gigg Lane. Nobody remembers a club company registration number, nobody remembers a slight name change (look at other clubs), our club’s plight has been in the media and now we have the chance to make HISTORY! The first Club ever to be in administration, due to be liquidated, and return as a true phoenix Club at their home stadium, whilst also owning the intellectual property, history and memorabilia, which has been purchased from administration.
Timelines and Processes
We will now continue our progress with talks with the relevant authorities and keep our members up-to-date as we progress through the relevant milestones. Part of the process of applying for a league was to acquire an affiliation number. With competent volunteers with experience in each role, we are now finalising a business plan and a business case for our league application. At present, our affiliation name is Bury Community United Football Club; we can apply to change this prior to March 31st, 2023 if the members wish. We will look to put this forward to our members as a temporary name (subject to FA approval) until we can once again use the name Bury Football Club.
Volunteers
As a fan-owned Club, we are also reliant on the good-will of our fans and teams of volunteers. One of the easiest ways you can help, once you have joined the membership scheme giving ongoing financial support, is to volunteer your time. Whatever your skills we would greatly appreciate all help on an ongoing basis to maintain the Community Stadium. Join the 1000’s of people who have already donated their time and skills so far. E-mail volunteers@BuryFCSS.co.uk with any skills you may have, any volunteer electricians are required at present.
Memberships
Announced back at our BFCSS AGM, our membership scheme will now change due to the company structure of the society now owning such a community asset, Gigg Lane Community Stadium. As part of CBS ruling, our memberships can only be a maximum of £5pm/£60annual, each giving you one share/vote per person. So why not have your say in the direction of Gigg Lane and future football by joining our new membership scheme coming very soon.
As part of the restructured memberships, Gigg Lane Stadium will be launching a tiered events membership scheme in the coming months.
We are very much looking forward to a positive future along with all fellow Shakers!
UTS!
Bury Football Club Supporters Society Board
