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Bury AFC reveal vote result amid plan to merge fan groups to bring Bury FC back to Gigg Lane

Bury AFC reveal the result of a much talked about vote amid a plan to merge two fan groups to bring Bury FC back to Gigg Lane.

Supporters were asked to vote on proposals to unite two fan groups, the Shakers Community Society and Bury Football Club Supporters Society (BFCSS), in a bid to get men’s football back at its spiritual home in the town.

Gigg Lane was empty for around three years after Bury FC were thrown out of the Football League and later entered administration in 2019.

In the wake of the club’s demise, a group of fans set up a new outfit – Bury AFC, who have won one promotion, recently reached the FA Cup Fourth Qualifying Round before losing to York City, and sit 10th in the North West Counties League Premier Division (ninth tier), 20 points behind the league leaders Vauxhall Motors but have the Shakers have five games in hand.

Earlier this year, another group of supporters announced they had purchased Gigg Lane alongside Bury FC’s assets, and it’s been rather hostile ever since as a divide emerged between the two factions.

A merger of Bury Football Club Supporters Society – which helped buy Gigg Lane and Bury FC’s assets including its name – and the Shakers Community Society – which founded Bury AFC – would have seen fans finally unite behind one club again.

Manchester Evening News report that the original Bury FC remains in administration – its name was recently changed to CCFB Realisations 2022 Limited, according to Companies House – the merger would have meant renaming Bury AFC as Bury FC.

At a “special general meeting” on Friday night, 94pc of Shakers Community Society members who took part in the vote backed a merger between the two groups.

But only 62.9pc of the 771 BFCSS members voted in favour off the merger – 3.7pc short of the two thirds majority (66.6pc) required for it to be go ahead.

Bury Council pledged £450,000 alongside a £300,000 government grant to support the new club if the plans went ahead. Council bosses have now said they will not be providing the funding.

Announcing the outcome of the vote on its website, the Shakers Community Society said: “We know that many supporters will be extremely disappointed that we are unable to move to Gigg Lane in the summer. However, we do believe this is something we will return to in future.

“Whilst the two thirds majority was not reached to allow the amalgamation to take place, there is a clear majority of Bury FC Supporters’ Society members who support working with Bury AFC and do not see the benefits of creating another new club.

“The message from our own members could not be clearer. The 1003 Shakers Society members who voted in favour are almost as many in number as the entire Bury FC Supporters’ Society membership, who are now faced with the consequences of not proceeding with an amalgamation of the two societies.”

A spokesperson for BFCSS said: “BFCSS now have a clear direction to move forward. This has been a divisive period in the history of Bury Football Club.

“Differences now need to be put aside, everyone should work together, bringing Bury FC back to where it deserves to be. No individual or group of individuals are bigger than Bury Football Club, something we should all keep in mind.

“What we are building today, is for those who will look back, be proud of the work we as volunteers have put into establishing this club as a shining example of a sustainable fan owned football club.

“We would ask every person to now look to themselves as to how best you can support Bury Football Club. The future of your club is in your hands, join us, become members and be a part of the future.

“Do not walk away, come back to be part of the future of Bury FC, we are the Shakers.”

A spokesperson for Bury council said: “We are disappointed by the result of the vote, which was a golden opportunity to unite Bury’s football fans and work together to bring elite football back to Bury at its historic Gigg Lane home.

“The council’s financial support of up to £450,000 was always conditional upon a merger, and a viable business case in support of Gigg Lane. We take our responsibility to the appropriate use of public money very seriously and we have always made clear our belief that bringing together the football fanbase in Bury, united behind one team, is the most sensible and sustainable way forward to guarantee the future of the stadium as a footballing venue and a community asset. Unfortunately, in the absence of a merger, a revised business case for Gigg Lane is needed and therefore the council will now not be making that funding available.

“However, this does not need to be the end of the journey. The vote shows that the overwhelming number of Shakers Community Society members (94%) were in favour of the merger, and a clear majority (63%) – albeit short of the required 66% – of Bury Football Club Supporters’ Society members were too.

“This demonstrates that there is still a desire by the vast majority of fans to see how a new future for football in Bury can be achieved. We are happy to have further discussions with all concerned parties on the way forward, and we will try to bring all parties together as soon as possible.”

Here’s how fans reacted as Bury AFC reveal the result of their vote amid a plan to merge fan groups to bring Bury FC back to Gigg Lane…

@aurorafood21: You’ve got a team with no ground to call home, and a ground with no team, surely it can’t be that hard to figure out?

@pkinsella2: BFCSS need a good luck in the mirror. Absolutely disgraceful statement and result.

@jimrmet: I think you’ll find lots of people so fed up (mildly) this ‘We stick together’ will not happen.

@FootiePrint: Not the result the vast majority would have liked. But AFC have the people, the backing and the football base to forge a great path through the leagues. Take heart from the likes of AFC Wimbledon. Stick together, grow stronger and enjoy the continuing journey.

@AllsportJoe: This seems like a huge shame for the town, but you guys should be proud of the work you’ve done to bring a football team back to the town of Bury, don’t be downhearted because of 280 people who are too proud to let go of the past

@Timbo365: This is madness!

@buruhandi: Disappointing. Keep going.

@matthirtyfive: Hope things work out for you somehow even if tonight might feel like yet another low ebb.

@Ludd1885: Bury AFC is Bury FC, simple as

@richbeedie: A sad day for football in Bury, but onwards and upwards with AFC. It’s the 62.9% I feel sorry for the most.

@trickster_afcb: Get it sorted! As a Bournemouth fan, I know that after years of financial issues, one day things can get better if you can steer through the initial difficulties.

@sjacko83: What ever happens nobody can say bury afc and their members didn’t try to get the fans back together and one team playing in bury well done to everyone who voted #buryafc #buryfc

@rikp71: Well so that means 500k won’t be coming to bury for the amalgamation because some people can’t see any sense and move forward to a football club once again in gigg lane – sad times.

@trickster_afcb: Damn it folks! Need to knock your heads together and have another vote!

@Burytilidie: This town can’t support two clubs, absolutely moronic decision. Too many people not able to put their pride aside, we all used to sit side by side in the stands and now this? People wanted/needed football during the gap and lockdown. Mad how some people can become so bitter.

@Tony_Tremayne: I’ve just relinquished my BFCC life membership. After 65 years of supporting BuryFC. My support now belongs to @OfficialBuryAFC .

@dshaker78:
To #buryfc and #buryafc fans.
WE are football in Bury, not empty football stadiums.
Bury AFC play tomorrow. This is OUR Club. Real, live football. All welcome. It’s amazing. If you haven’t been before give it a go you won’t regret it see you there 💙 #bythefansforthefans

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