Gigg Lane Update
We’re pleased to confirm a reciprocal non-disclosure agreement has been signed with Bury AFC and a variety of information was shared last week allowing a due diligence process to begin.
We are now in a process to try and unite all Bury Supporters, including many of whom haven’t watched any football since April 2019 and those who’ve supported Bury AFC’s success. These talks will follow a scheduled timeline with milestones and deadlines that allow both Supporters Societies to provide information to members, obtain feedback and eventually undertake a formal voting process.
This process is facilitated by Bury Council with support from Greater Manchester Combined Authority and the Football Supporters Association.
Bury AFC have previously asked to rent Gigg Lane which the board have outlined is not feasible for the reasons below:
We do not believe a rental agreement helps unite the fanbase, it reinforces the current separation. BFCSS members being a landlord to Bury AFC members as a tenant has never been our intention or strategy. A merger should be a true partnership from day 1, not a contingent commitment.
Setting an appropriate rental level would be complex, with very few relevant comparables.
A rental agreement places all the operational risk and cost with BFCSS and the Benefactors whilst Bury AFC collects all the football revenue – ticket sales, season tickets merchandise etc. We do not believe this is a fair balance.
With a rental agreement in place, the motivation for Bury AFC to reach an agreement is diminished as Bury AFC will have a comfortable position of strong revenues with limited risks/costs.
If the supporters of either Supporters Society do not eventually vote to support a merger, then BFCSS would likely have to evict Bury AFC from Gigg Lane which would be extremely distressing.
Sourcing further grant funding and sponsorship is very difficult with a landlord/tenant temporary arrangement. The Bury Council grant funding is contingent on a merger, we believe it is important to keep all minds focused.
We have no insight regarding what terms Bury AFC’s management would be prepared to propose a merger to its members. Without this knowledge it would be irresponsible to commit to a 12-month lease when talks may have proved unsuccessful in 3-4 months’ time. This would be irresponsible for both Bury AFC and BFCSS. We hope this outcome is not the case but have to protect against the worst case scenario; all Shakers are acutely aware of how painful it can be when things go wrong.
We remain very optimistic that a merger agreement can be reached before the start of 2022-23 so that elite men’s football can be played at Gigg Lane. BFCSS will be doing all it can to make this happen.
Please remember, £10.00 to join Bury FC Supporters Society secures your vote and allows you to have your say in future decisions that affect your club going forward.
