The return of Bury FC

When Bury FC were kicked out of the EFL in 2019 fans across the country, not just those who followed the club, feared that they’d never again see football of any level at Gigg Lane. Thanks to the outstanding work of supporters’ groups those fears, although reasonable, were premature. The Gigg Lane Steering Group explains more below…

When Bury FC was expelled from the EFL in 2019 there was no clear way of returning football to Gigg Lane in that name. It has taken decades for many other clubs in similar circumstances to rebuild and return to their own ground. In 2022, we now have the opportunity to bring elite football back to Gigg Lane under the name Bury Football Club, which is an extraordinary achievement in such a short space of time.

In a reversal of recent history, this has been achieved by genuine football supporters, who through help, hard work and perseverance have acquired the Gigg Lane stadium, created a successful and financially sustainable football team, and generated both the income and capital necessary to develop the club and ground for the benefit of future generations.

This seemed impossible in 2019. That this has been achieved under ‘fan ownership’ has restored dignity and self-belief to a community stripped of it in the events culminating in the EFL expulsion.

We have a shared long-term vision of restoring professional football to Bury. We know the club must be run in a financially responsible and sustainable way. We believe that the best way to achieve this is under the historic name of Bury Football Club, and by improving and enhancing Gigg Lane as the spiritual home of football in Bury.

What has become absolutely apparent from the work undertaken so far is that this vision is only possible by combining what we have today into a united organisation which can give us what we need going forward.

The Gigg Lane Steering Group

• You can find our more about the merger process here…