A statement was recently published which stated the following,
“Without approval of an amalgamation by both Societies up to £2m of immediate funding will be lost and it will eventually lead to a breach of the terms of the central government grant funding used to purchase Gigg Lane”
BFCSS would like to address some points raised and also reassure all our fanbase on both sides of the vote.
The above statement gives the impression that there will be an immense loss of funds if you fail to approve the amalgamation. This has led to speculation that “Gigg Lane could be repossessed.”
Speculating that up to £2M of funding will be lost is merely that, just speculation. There are no guarantees in this or any process, it is a fluid process with many unknowns. The BFCSS board, working groups and benefactors have been working extremely hard to protect the future of the club, hopefully this process will simplify and become clearer. Also as previously stated, we have had to work under Society rules, regulatory constraints and legal parameters. All these mean we can’t just react as quickly as some on social media would like.
At this point in time, BFCSS believe that the only potential loss of funding on the vote outcome being against the merger, would be the £450K of Bury Council funding and the stated ring-fenced £250K which Bury AFC would bring with them. As per the agreement the COF funding will require, no matter what the vote, discussions, a business plan and information in which the remaining up to £270k could be used as match funding. This is not an insubstantial amount and worth serious consideration, but this also has all been published already and has been anticipated.
Also as we have previously published, the Gigg Lane Community Stadium will remain, and is committed to being a sustainable community asset, which is part of the application for the Levelling Up Fund from Bury Football Club Supporters Society.
The council and AFC funding would be lost, but due to the fact that BFC own the stadium, which BFCSS own 50% of, is fan owned, debt free and mortgage free, we would be able to apply for grants through the Football Foundation, as other local charities and groups have successfully done and achieved funding.
BFCSS would also like to add that there are 2 Bury Football Club supporters who have pledged a minimum of £150K, in the event of a no vote, to support BFCSS, their belief is that there are many Shakers supporters who aren’t watching football due to local football attendances. We would then be able to look at potentially using these funds together with any future contributions towards the remaining available funds from the Levelling up Fund, a positive and encouraging prospect subject to the revised business plan, case study and relevant approval.
The Community Stadium continues to be run by volunteers (another popular misconception) in a fully sustainable way, even without elite mens football, with over 20,000 people using the facility since April 2022, the more the usage the higher the cost and conversely the lower the usage the lower the costs. There is surplus cash in the accounts and with sponsorship funding due in before the end of October this will further assist to run in the black.
So everything is not all black and white, there are no guarantees of exactly how this process will develop, speculating that “all will be lost” is so divisive and not a positive way to look to the future. BFCSS feel sure that upon conclusion of the vote many will come forward who have hesitated until this point in time with a known outcome for the future. The process will continue onwards to bring elite football back to Gigg Lane.
To end, following a statement today on the Women’s setup for Gigg Lane going forward. Since the statement we have contacted Bury FC Foundation as we believe the last contact was between Bury FC Foundation, Bury FCSS and Bury FC Benefactors which happened on 29th July 2022. There have been no talks since the above meeting and nothing has been outlined. It is logistically impossible to all play out of Gigg Lane at 2pm on a Sunday which is a day & time determined by the FA for adult Women’s football unless of course you are in the WSL. The Foundation did propose a viable solution that Bury AFC women join Bury FC Foundation under their affiliation & together put out a Women’s First Team representative of the merged Bury FC at Gigg Lane. All other Women’s teams would then be accommodated at the home ground of Bury FC Foundation, Goshen. This would allow us to further grow the provision of female football in Bury.
On a positive note, today BFCSS have had a very productive meeting with the FA this morning who have given us assurances that they will work with us in securing a league position for next season should it be required.
Raise Money for Gigg Lane, have your opinions heard
After you have voted, please take a few minutes to complete this short study by the London School of Economics, Department of Behavioral Science, related to attitudes towards football in Bury:
https://lse.eu.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_cO7rpQGBzaPZxhY
The first 500 Bury football fans who complete the survey will earn £1 towards the fund of their choice, including Gigg Lane redevelopment for BFCSS members.
Other News
Funfair & Fireworks
Buy Your Tickets – HERE
We are delighted to be bringing back the hugely popular Gigg Lane Funfair & Fireworks display on the 4th November 2022 at Gigg Lane Stadium.
There will be pop up artisan food and drink stalls providing refreshments plus rides, stalls and a professional fireworks display from Southport and Blackpool World Championship firework display teams inside Gigg Lane.
Gates open at 5PM
Fireworks at 8PM
