Bury Football Club Supporters’ Society Update
The result of the recent amalgamation vote showed that whilst the required 66.6% threshold did not pass, the majority of the members wanted to merge with Bury AFC’s Community Benefit Society (Shakers CBS). Although this was not a requirement under the law, we felt that it was appropriate to continue to liaise with all the major parties – the Benefactors, the Government’s Community Ownership Fund, Bury Council and the Football Supporters Association (FSA) – to follow a path to an ideal solution.
As a board we agreed that we would survey our members, as well as the whole Shakers’ fanbase. We received hundreds of helpful responses to these and have used the answers and feedback to determine what would be required to look at the potential of putting forward another vote or proposal. Board meetings between the Benefactors and our Society have since taken place, with the aim of putting forward an alternative solution to unite the vast majority of members to ensure as many as possible feel they have been listened to.
Last week we sent our initial findings to the Shakers CBS to look to open talks on these issues with the aim of agreeing to a proposal on amalgamation which would then pass with the required majority.
After listening to our members and fans, it was clear that there are still concerns with personalities on the CBSs. No one person is bigger than Bury FC and it is crucial that both societies are willing to address these concerns. Therefore, part of the offer was that all board members of both societies stand down and cannot stand for re-election until the second term, following its Annual General Meeting. Key people could still remain in an advisory role whilst an interim CBS is finalised.
The FSA have offered to work with the Society to gain an in-depth understanding of our initial findings through a partnership survey to determine the way forward.
Deadlines still need to be met with setting up a mens’ team at Gigg Lane and so we will continue with our relevant applications whilst talks are ongoing.
If there is to be a team set up by Bury Football Club Company as a result, there could still be a future solution to a working agreement with Bury AFC to use Gigg Lane as a ground-share, with the priority of use being given the company’s club.
Bury Football Club Supporters Society Board
