Chairman’s Update
Following the AGM and as Chairman of Bury Football Club Supporters’ Society, I have been able to reflect on the recent ongoing events around the Society, the community stadium asset we now own, plans for football in the town of Bury, relationships with the benefactors, the forthcoming members’ vote, future developments of the stadium and partnerships.
Since February 2020, when we first met to look at how we could save Gigg Lane from the administrators, a lot has happened. The ground has now been rescued and has seen events, games and functions all being held to assist with the sustainable model of using Gigg Lane for the community, ensuring that it is financially viable. Having a financially viable asset supports a football team as there are no tenancy costs, but also improves revenues off the field once there is a larger audience attending events. Plans are in place with contractors for a renovation works program next summer to ensure a better playing surface. This year we have spent £2,400 on the pitch to ensure we were able generate revenues for community use. Our community cafe is linked to local groups such as BOOBS in Bury, toddler sessions, uniform drives and coffee mornings which have all helped increase community engagement. The cafe is also open for the public to pop down to the ground for a brew, a chat and to meet new friends.
A full stadium safety certificate for Gigg Lane was secured in March, following essential works that needed completing. Local businesses supported ‘The Gigg Cleanup’ campaign and we now operate a stadium to a sustainable capacity run on a match by match or event style basis. Other works are scheduled throughout the coming months to ensure the stadium continues to remain safe to use.
Since we announced the saving of a huge part of our history and the home of football in Bury, we increased our membership to almost 1,400. It is a credit to those members that they have supported our fan-owned model and Project Gigg renovations. These members will direct and form a mandate for the way forward. The membership model will change upon completion of the vote to amalgamate, no matter the outcome, due to a change in structure and owning Gigg Lane the membership will change to £5 per month or £60 annual.
The plan for a voting process for an amalgamation are complex, lengthy and legally constrained. Compliance in all areas needs to be achieved to enable this to happen. The plan was always to try and unite Bury fans by bringing one team to play football at Gigg Lane once more. Members will give this mandate via the vote. In the event members vote against the amalgamation, as outlined in previous correspondence, the stadium will be run as a debt free community asset.
Together with the benefactors, it is our plan for the asset to once again be at the heart of the community. We now host community games (with many attended by spectators from all over), have rooms to hire, and undertake numerous other interactions with the wider Bury community. Bringing Gigg Lane back could not have been achieved without the loyal members and Bury FC supporters. With teams hiring the pitch, a community cafe, office rentals and local businesses all using the facility, it supports our objective of it being self-sustainable whilst we build for the return of elite mens’ football. Every penny received from merchandise, ticket, bar and kiosk sales all contribute towards our sustainable community stadium.
Alongside the outlined plans, in the event of the amalgamation not going ahead, there are applications that would need to be completed in order to see the return of elite mens’ football at Gigg. A previous application to the Northern Premier League was turned down for various reasons – we had no affiliation number at the time, we were looking to install a 4G pitch which would mean seeking an alternate home venue should works run behind schedule, there were no current spaces in their divisions, and our case was not deemed to come under ‘exceptional circumstances’. Since then, we have received an FA affiliation number, secured the Gigg Lane stadium, as well as the name, intellectual property, history and memorabilia of Bury FC. Talks are ongoing with the authorities to find out which league would be suitable for an application if necessary.
As part of the acquisition of Gigg Lane, Bury Football Club Supporters Society will be 50/50 owners with the benefactors – with the chairman (on behalf of the members of the society) having the deciding vote in the event of a deadlock on discussions. Our ongoing relationship with the benefactors is key throughout this process and into the future. Since the last AGM, two board members have been co-opted onto the Society board by the elected board members – Karl Lee (Advisor) and Diana Golding (Welfare and Safeguarding). Sherridan Matthews has now taken on the role of Secretary.
In April, we welcomed back the Bury FC Foundation Women’s team to play their final 3 games of the season at Gigg. This was a fantastic homecoming and they repeated the feat of 2019 by winning the league again. Hundreds were there to cheer them to the title, and they have continued their good form into the new season. Bury FC Foundation have been part of the local community since 1996 and have teams in all age groups from under 9s through to the first team. They have over 250 players on their books who have been mascots, ball boys/girls, many of which had previously played at Gigg Lane. We look forward to seeing more teams playing local league fixtures and international opponents and throughout the coming season.
As a representative of the board in the working group, I can confirm that the process leading to a vote for the proposed amalgamation is due to be announced imminently, subject to completion of all final legal compliance. This will then allow us to follow our members mandate.
YOUR VOTE matters! All eligible voters will be sent information from an independent 3rd party. It is therefore essential that all your details are up to date using our online Membership Mojo system.
Important – please log in to check all your details are fully correct, including addresses and postcodes. This information will be used to validate members who are eligible to vote.
This is your time to vote for the future of football in Bury. Your decision will shape our future for not only your generation, but for all future generations.
We mentioned on Friday last week that we would be updating our members on the terms of how the vote works, Board policies etc… If you haven’t read through this you can read that document along with all the others by clicking HERE.
I wish to close by personally thanking all the volunteers, local businesses and members who have been supporting this community project since it was purchased. A record attendance of 2,885 for our Legends’ game would not have been possible without the hard work and dedication of all our many volunteers. Without your support we would not be in the current position of being able to use the stadium day in, day out for the people of Bury.
Thank you,
Daniel Bowerbank
Bury Football Club Supporters’ Society Chair
