Update on the way forward
We would like to issue an update to our members and our wider Shakers family.
Since the outcome of the amalgamation proposal vote, the Society has been meeting with the Government’s Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC) and other partners to progress with a way forward to bringing back Bury FC at Gigg Lane.
Our board are passionate and simply want the best outcome for our members – to achieve a return for our great club – but we regret that we must continually deal with abuse, false rumours and accusations. We urge all fans once more to pull together to help achieve what we all want. It has been a tough time for supporters since our expulsion, but whilst we may disagree on the ways of getting there, the return of our club is far more rewarding.
Part of the terms of our grant from the DLUHC were to seek to unite the fanbase, and we remain committed to that. After our initial proposal on modified terms was resisted following a members poll, it was agreed by all parties to simply vote again on the same proposal. Our Society approached the Shakers Community Benefit Society (SCBS) with the aim of discussing how this could be achieved, as well as healing relationships and improving our communication with each other.
After an initial informal meeting, SCBS and the Football Supporters Association (FSA) suggested a different proposal on the 29th November. This involved our Society unequivocally backing a change of playing name application by the 31st December, in order that Bury AFC could become Bury FC in time for next season. This deadline conflicted with advice given to us by the FA. SCBS also demanded heads of terms for a lease to enable Bury AFC to play at Gigg next season – prior to a second vote. This was rejected not only by our board, but also unanimously voted against across the Bury Football Club Stadium Company and the Bury FC Benefactors. We believe this could cause further division between supporters, with the benefactors not wishing to become landlords. SCBS also wanted a guarantee that our Society would not apply for any team to enter a league in time for the 2023/24 season. This had been agreed on the understanding that both societies would push a second vote for an amalgamation in order for that team to be playing at Gigg next season as Bury FC.
We are frustrated that Bury AFC have changed their position and not agreed to further meetings. We want to put out the vote as soon as an action plan has been agreed upon, but this needs the desire and willing of both boards. We are confident that if they would meet us in person, we could find common ground to benefit the fanbase and the town. The proposal is there, it just needs a willingness to do what is right for everyone.
Gigg Lane is one of the oldest stadiums in the country, steeped in a rich footballing history. Since Bury FC were expelled from the EFL in 2019, Bury AFC have provided some supporters with the football, and our society, along with our partners, have secured Gigg and all other assets, to bring back a facility we should be all be proud of. Our hardworking volunteers have tirelessly helped get the stadium into an enviable standard – many parts of the buildings have been lovingly restored, and after regular maintenance, the pitch is back in action to serve thousands more members of the community in 2023.
There is an opportunity to try and unite a broken set of supporters but it needs talks to re-start and to date we are awaiting a response.
The damage is continuing to be caused by knee-jerk reactions, false accusations, hearsay and fake accounts. All these are creating a factionalism within the Shakers fanbase many of whom aren’t watching any football currently.
We will continue to update our members as we have done throughout this process once things have been approved or the next steps of the process.
BFCSS Board
