Bury AFC have chosen to unveil a brand new crest voted by their fans on Saturday morning for their upcoming debut season.
Following their acceptance in the North West Counties Football League – Division 1 North this week, they now move forwards with our preparations for the new campaign.
The newest non league club said: “We asked the members of ‘Shakers Community’ to make the selection on the club’s new crest and we are proud to present the result on this vote below.
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We asked the members of “Shakers Community” to make their selection on the club’s new crest.
You can read more about the various elements of the crest on our website https://t.co/Y6k3Vgo6UQ#BAFC #OnOurWay #UTS pic.twitter.com/2Evrtzx3la
— Bury AFC (@OfficialBuryAFC) July 25, 2020
“The overwhelming feeling from the fanbase was to ensure that this crest reflects the town of Bury in line with those that came before.
“Designed by Bury fan, Nick Hunsley, the crest has been modernised to reflect our club as we head into the new era.
“The coat of arms retains references to the metalwork, textile and paper industries synonymous with the town in the form of the anvil, flying shuttle and papyrus plant.
“The top-right quarter now includes geographical reference to Peel Tower, adorned with two stars. The tower is a prominent monument which looks down on the town from the top of Holcombe Hill and was built as a memorial to Sir Robert Peel – creator of the modern police force and twice Prime Minister – who was born in the Bury in 1788.
“The crest retains the industrious bee between two branches of the cotton plant as well as referencing ‘2020’ as our inaugural entry into the league pyramid.
“Bury AFC is ‘By the Fans, For the Fans’. With respect to the level of dedicated effort from our supporters, volunteers and members in getting Bury AFC to where it is today, we will retain the town motto of ‘Hard Work Conquers All’.
“We hope you will feel the sense of pride in wearing the crest and representing our town.”
There were two other crests as part of the vote, and we think it’s fair to say they have made the correct choice…
Definitely picked the best one
— NICK MYATT (@MyattNick) July 25, 2020
Bury said that they were pleased to announce that their application has been accepted by the FA and their place in Division 1 North of the North West Counties Football League for the 2020/21 season is confirmed.
They added: “The hard work from our initial group of volunteers and support from a 500-plus strong membership has enabled this to happen. We thank you for your contribution to date.
“We will now work with the league to be ready in time for the season starting in September. Keep yourself here for further announcements over the coming days & weeks!
“Bury AFC. By the Fans. For the Fans.”
Another new club, Isle of Man FC, will start in the equivalent Division One South.
LEAGUE STATEMENT:
The North West Counties Football League note the Football Association’s decision to place Bury AFC and FC Isle of Man within the National League System, with these being placed in the First Division North and First Division South respectively.
We would firstly like to welcome both clubs to the league. We are sure that both clubs and their supporters will be welcomed warmly throughout all three divisions of the league and we look forward to working with both clubs over the coming seasons.
We would though like to make it clear that this decision was made against the wishes of the League Management Committee and the Board of Directors. This statement outlines the reasons for this and what our stance is as a league.
Usually a club can only enter the NLS at Step 7. However, a League may seek approval from the Committee to receive a club not currently in membership of a League within the NLS provided that there are:
- exceptional circumstances
- a vacancy within its constitution
- the club meets the entry criteria
- promotion and relegation issues have been satisfied
Both Bury AFC and FC Isle of Man opted to apply to join the National League System for the 2020/21 season, and as they are in our geographical area, they asked for our support. We met with both clubs and were supportive of their applications to the FA.
Since then though, the COVID-19 pandemic broke out and with it Steps 3-7 of the pyramid were declared null and void. The FA then announced that there would be no promotion and relegation, including no promotions from Step 7. When football resumes at our level, we will be effectively replaying the 2020/21 season.
Given this, we felt as a league that it was appropriate to review our support for applications of the two new clubs. In order to maintain the integrity of our competition, the Board took the decision to withdraw support for the two applications. We informed the FA accordingly of this on Monday 22nd June 2020.
The reason for this was twofold. Firstly no promotion and relegation meant that there was no vacancies in our League. Secondly we felt that we needed to be fair to all clubs, especially those in Step 7 who, like the two new clubs, have invested a considerable amount of time and money in attempting to gain promotion, only to be denied through no fault of their own as a result of COVID-19.
We were subsequently asked by the FA to have urgent discussion with them, and members of our board met remotely with the FA Leagues Committee Chairman and the Head of the National League System on Friday 3rd July 2020.
It was outlined to us that vacancies would be made in our league by the FA agreeing with two lateral movement requests that had been made. One of these was only made in June when NLS Regulations state that requests must be made by 31st March 2020. We were requested to reconsider our position in respect of supporting the applications of Bury AFC and FC Isle of Man.
The League Board do not consider that in our case lateral movement is appropriate, imperative or in any real need as at the time, there were no vacancies within the League. Laterally moving clubs to make room for the two new clubs questions the integrity of the FA Leagues Committee and that of our Competition. It is also grossly unfair on the Step 7 clubs who were likely to meet the grading and promotion criteria.
Furthermore, the League Board do not consider it correct to move clubs just to create vacancies for the benefit of new clubs. The League Board when considering the applications of Bury AFC and FC Isle of Man always made it clear that the support was ONLY IF vacancies occurred once promotion and relegation issues had been settled as per NLS Rules and Regulations. Those vacancies were expected due to the re-structure of the NLS but not guaranteed. As the restructure has been put on hold until the end of next season, those vacancies no longer existed.
After our meeting with the FA, the Board took the weekend to reconsider our position. However the League’s Board voted to support its original decision to withdraw their support for the new applicant clubs, and on the morning of Monday 6th July 2020, we informed the FA of our decision. We have heard nothing since this date until this afternoon (Tuesday 21st July 2020), when we have been informed of the final decision to place Bury AFC and FC Isle of Man within our league.
It is noted that since the meeting with The FA, the League has received the resignation of FC Oswestry Town which did create one vacancy. Please note that this was not the case when the Board made its original decision.
There was plenty of social media reaction after Bury AFC unveil a brand new crest voted by fans…
Also love how we’ve sneaked two stars on there alongside Peel Tower. Didn’t notice that at the voting stage. ?#BuryAFC
— Nick Metcalfe (@nickmetcalfeuk) July 25, 2020
I like it ? sticking to traditions of the original club.
— Aron (@davies_aron) July 25, 2020
Voted for by the fans…. For the fans, by the fans ????
— Helen Richardson (@HltRichardson) July 25, 2020
Good choice
— Dan Mansley (@danmansley04) July 25, 2020

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