Bury expelled from EFL

wanderlust wrote:Bury AFC isn’t Bury so although they (Bury)  may still exist as a business they don’t exist as an operating business. If that was to change in the future and Bury were accepted into a league where would that leave Bury AFC?  Two clubs in the town?

Just seen this.

Towns aren't limited to one club you nutjob we had Horwich RMI in Bolton for many years before they moved to Leigh, which is part of Wigan who also had an existing football club.

Even places much smaller than Bury have two clubs, Northwich (20k population) for instance who both even play in the same league!

Anyway the reason for the post is that Bury AFC are now being officially considered for a league spot. -

Bury AFC among 11 clubs applying for North West Counties League spot

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/51584394

I grew up in Horwich and always said it was near Bolton rather than part of Bolton.  Remember the pitch was sloped but always wanted to play a game on it

BoltonTillIDie wrote:I grew up in Horwich and always said it was near Bolton rather than part of Bolton.  Remember the pitch was sloped but always wanted to play a game on it

Horwich has been part of Bolton's administration as per the Local Government Act of 1972, which was took effect from 1st April, 1974.

The same act put Leigh under Wigan's, much to the displeasure of the former.

The pitch you remember was called Grundy Hill and was sold off to build houses on in 1994. Hope they sorted the slope out first before building them though!

My point was that many town's, city's and 'villages' have more than one team in them, Manchester being an obvious example with City and FC United (Manchester United being part of Salford of course, who also don't forget have another club which we almost certainly will be playing next season - Salford City).

I guess you can have as many teams as you like from any city, town or village providing they all meet the EFL's entry requirements and ongoing requirements.

I'd love to see FC Isle of Man in the North West Counties. Hope they get there and do well.
I first went to the Island in 1961 with some Wanderers supporting pals and have had a strong affection for the place ever since.

Sluffy wrote:

wanderlust wrote:Bury AFC isn’t Bury so although they (Bury)  may still exist as a business they don’t exist as an operating business. If that was to change in the future and Bury were accepted into a league where would that leave Bury AFC?  Two clubs in the town?

Just seen this.

Towns aren't limited to one club you nutjob we had Horwich RMI in Bolton for many years before they moved to Leigh, which is part of Wigan who also had an existing football club.

Even places much smaller than Bury have two clubs, Northwich (20k population) for instance who both even play in the same league!

Anyway the reason for the post is that Bury AFC are now being officially considered for a league spot. -

Bury AFC among 11 clubs applying for North West Counties League spot

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/51584394

You nutjob? Really?

Yes I know you can have more then one club in one town/city/village etc. I was alluding to the implications of that scenario rather than suggesting it wasn't possible.

Bury 'Phoenix' club accepted into North West counties - the old 'original' club attempting for the conference (National) league.

Breaking news and a big moment for @OfficialBuryAFC #buryfc https://t.co/jGWKgxIYdG

— Bury Times (@BuryTimes) July 21, 2020

Ten Bobsworth wrote:I'd love to see FC Isle of Man in the North West Counties. Hope they get there and do well.
I first went to the Island in 1961 with some Wanderers supporting pals and have had a strong affection for the place ever since.

Isle of Man joins too!

We welcome Bury AFC and FC Isle of Man to the league as Emley AFC are moved across to the NCEFLhttps://t.co/GZo0PSnf6e

— The NWCFL (@nwcfl) July 21, 2020

Bit of an update on 'official' Bury - not the phoenix club 'Bury'.

Bury FC's application to join non league pyramid is turned down

BURY FC have been denied the chance to rejoin the non-league pyramid for the upcoming season, the Football Association has announced.

The Shakers were evicted from the English Football League after the start of last season due to financial insolvency, leaving League One with only 23 clubs.

A phoenix club, Bury AFC, were last month accepted into the North-West Counties League Division One North while the original Bury FC, a Football League member since 1894, had applied to rejoin the National League system.

An FA statement read: "The FA can confirm that Bury FC's application to join the National League System (NLS) for the 2020-21 season has not been accepted.

"The Alliance Leagues Committee's decision not to accept the application was based on several different factors, including in relation to the club's financial resources, ownership and insolvency status."

"The FA left the door open for the club to rejoin in the future if their financial issues are addressed, acknowledging their 'history and standing', and added: "The Alliance Leagues Committee would welcome an application from the club to join the NLS for the 2021-22 season."

It means Bury AFC, the phoenix club, will be the only team playing in the town's name next season having been accepted to play in the North West Counties League.

It is a bitter blow for the Bury FC supporters’ trust Forever Bury who were fighting to bring football back to Gigg Lane.

https://www.burytimes.co.uk/news/18636487.bury-fcs-application-join-non-league-pyramid-turned/

There is much more in the link if anyone is interested - worth a read if you are.

Someone asked me today if Bury went bust and I didn't know the answer.

Did they, or do they still exist?

Natasha Whittam wrote:Someone asked me today if Bury went bust and I didn't know the answer.

Did they, or do they still exist?

On paper at least they still exist.

They still exist as far as I know, tried to gain entry to a league and was denied.  So think they were looking at start of next season.  Also another bury team was set up with are competing right at the lowest level

Thanks for the info.

There is a phoenix club which has just started playing way down the leagues in the North West Counties League

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bury_A.F.C.

I may start supporting them as Bolton & Chorley are both pants.

A possible way back for Bury? It does mention an all-weather pitch but that wouldn't be allowed by the EFL would it? They would still end up a non-league team i presume?

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/59767736

They're in the same league as Daisy Hill FFS so don't expect too much

wanderlust wrote:They're in the same league as Daisy Hill FFS so don't expect too much

No they are not.

There are two Bury's, the one in name only Bury FC and a fan led Phoenix club called Bury AFC which is probably the one you are talking about.

Bury FC isn't in any league and even if they were able to reform in some way they would probably have to start somewhere near the bottom with the likes of Daisy Hill etc.

So your point would probably still stand.

I can't say I've been too bothered about following the developments of Bury but their ST seems to have been somewhat active and has just come up with a (non enforceable) Memorandum of Understanding amongst all the key groups involved.

Just to remind you Bury couldn't pay its bills and the EFL withdrew its 'golden share' which meant Bury could no longer play in the EFL pyramid.

The owner eventually business into Administration who held the ground as an asset for sale, Gigg Lane and this led to a split amongst the fans, with one group wanting to form a phoenix club - which they did Bury AFC (and whom have just got promoted from the division they were in) and the hardcore Bury fans who didn't recognise any other club than Bury itself - who had no team was was unable to compete!

It seems the government has splashed out £1m of our taxpayers money to the Bury ST in order for them to buy Gigg Lane (I'm sure Bob will share the same view as mine as to what an absolute waste of our money for no apparent benefit apart to perhaps buy a few votes for them at the time of the next elections!) and this MoU is intended to bring everybody together!

It's rather a lengthy document so I won't post it out in full...

https://buryafc.uk/2022/05/memorandum-of-understanding-signed-to-progress-football-in-bury/

...but I will post out a reply to it from someone clearly in the Bury AFC camp!

Mark Jackson
May 10, 2022

This memorandum of understanding is a clear example of nudge theory in action – influencing people to make the right choice (a ‘merger’ and return to GL) whilst appearing not to coerce or restrict choice.
Thus we have reference to “signed to progress football in Bury”, a statement designed to position anyone who doesn’t agree with the proposed choices as being resistant to progress. We have reference to Bury Football Club in the Est grouping, designed to fool people into believing they have saved FC. We have the daddy nudge “we are looking to combine and unite a number of organisations under one banner, however that might be achieved”, designed to position as divisive those not favouring a faux ‘unity’ and a takeover of AFC badged as a merger. Finally we have the illusion of choice, through reference to member votes, to be held (naturally) at a time when those doing the nudging are confident they can win the day.
So who is doing the nudging? It’s clearly not AFC, as this is not our style. I strongly suspect AFC has been left with no choice but to go along with this, under extreme pressure from the political stakeholders who appear to have aligned themselves behind Est / SS.
The direction of travel and desired outcomes laid out in the memorandum presage the end of the AFC model and its many attributes. A structure with fans in total control, and which deters predators. Exemplary fan involvement and engagement. Proactive community engagement. Openness and transparency. Financial sustainability and sound governance. A demonstrably skilled, capable leadership. A club by the fans, for the fans and the wider community.
Stand by now for more nudging. Including reference to the downsides of 100% fan ownership, and the benefits of a different approach. Including reference to the need to retain AFC’s CBS status, not as a means of protecting our money and assets but as a means by which Est and SS can get their hands on those assets without breaching FCA rules.
A sad day indeed.

Just to make clear - Gigg Lane has been sold to Bury's ST.

Sale of Bury FC's historic ground Gigg Lane completed

The sale of Bury FC's historic ground has been completed.

The stadium and assets - such as club memorabilia, goodwill and intellectual property, and the Bury FC name - have been sold to Gigg Lane Stadium Limited, a new company set up by fans of the club.

The move which has been described as a 'fantastic outcome for the fans, the club and the whole town' has paved the way for football to return to Gigg Lane.

Mr Wiseglass, the administrator of The Bury Football Club Company Ltd, said: “We are delighted that this transaction has been successfully completed.

“It is a fantastic outcome for the fans, the club and the whole town, as it will hopefully bring football back to Gigg Lane. My hope all along has always been that Bury FC could be rescued.

“Bury is blessed with a passionate and dedicated group of supporters and we wish them well for the future.”

Mr Wiseglass announced in May 2021 that the 12,000-capacity stadium was being put up for sale.

Gigg Lane is one of the world’s oldest professional football stadiums and has been home to Bury FC since the club was founded in 1885.

National chartered surveying firm Fleurets, which specialises in the leisure property sector, was appointed as the agent to actively market the stadium for sale and seek offers. Bids were received a number from parties in the UK and overseas.

Mr Wiseglass said The Bury Football Club Company Ltd remains in administration and that Inquesta is continuing with investigations into the company.

Peter Scholes of Fleurets said: “Fleurets is delighted to have been involved in the sale of such an iconic and important property. It was no surprise the sales process saw strong competition from a range of parties and we wish the purchaser all the very best in bringing football back to Gigg Lane.”

Richard Wolff, James Wynne and Oliver Moore from law firm Pannone Corporate advised Inquesta.

Richard said: “Today’s announcement is not only a positive result for the parties involved, but also for football, Bury and its local community. As a firm, we’ve been able to bring together our expertise across restructuring and real estate to support the process over the past few months and achieve the best possible outcome for stakeholders.”

Mr Wiseglass added: “I am grateful to Fleurets for their expertise and assistance with the property side of the transaction, to JPS Chartered Surveyors for their efficient support in the management of the
property and assets, and to Pannone Corporate for their legal support in helping to bring the matter to a successful conclusion.”

Thanks for this info Sluffy. Can't say I've been paying much heed to the travails of The Shakers recently, but this is interesting news.
I'm sure some knowledgable financial heads will be able to pick the bones of this for us, so I look forward to seeing the full implications.