Statement from Margaret Ladkin, The Fans Liaison Director

Happy New year to every Bury Fan and let’s hope that there’s a much improved year ahead for the Shakers.

Current Form

 

In light of the very poor results over the December period, culminating in the home defeat by Dagenham and Redbridge, the Board released the following statement on Monday 31st December:

“The Board of Bury Football Club met on Saturday after the disappointing result against Dagenham & Redbridge, and again today, Monday 31 December, to discuss the immediate future of Bury Football Club.

The meeting considered the latest results, which have been disappointing and the important fixtures over the next seven days, two of which are important cup games.

This morning, Chris Casper & Keith Alexander were invited to meet the board and a passionate and frank discussion took place.

The board has explained to Keith & Chris that the fans and the club expect improvement in future results and they will be monitoring the situation on a game to game basis.”

It is only fair that discussions between employers and employees remain confidential so there’s nothing further that I can add.

With the club’s finances now under control and the likelihood that we’ll be debt free within 18 months it was hoped that everything was in place for a much-improved season.

The long-term strategy for the youth system is paying dividends with Bury now being well regarded for it’s excellent youth set up, and several of the current first team squad having come through the youth ranks.

The next target is for the first team to become more consistent especially at Gigg Lane. It shouldn’t be out of the question for us to be winning 15 or 16 plus home games season after season which would stop us having to keep looking over our shoulders and actually give us a good base to move forward.

The Possible Ground Move

Currently the club are just looking into the possibilities of self-funding a possible move and are looking at the feasibility of a number of possible sites.

Forever Bury are well aware that for any move to be a success the fans need to be consulted and involved at every stage so I have been ensuring that the board are well aware of the fans concerns and these are the assurances that we’re looking for:

1.    First and foremost the fan’s need to know how it will be funded and that it will not incur any debt for the club.

2.    The ground is solely a football stadium and not shared with any other sport that will inconvenience fans – i.e. athletic track!

3.    The new ground should have a minimum capacity of 10,000 with an inbuilt structure for future growth.

4.    That there is adequate access and parking.

5.    Any plans are on open display and fan's feedback is welcomed.

 

Football in the Community - Study Support Centre

The Football in the Community set up is run independently of the club and has just gone through a radical restructure. Previously funded by the PFA it is now wholly funded by the Football League and new rules have been adopted. All Football in the Community operations now has to have charitable status and thanks to Shaun Danby’s efforts Bury’s was one of the first to attain this. It will also need to be run by a Trust and Forever Bury will be involved with this.

The Study Support Centre – “Giggabyte” is up and running with the “Lads and Dads” days proving very successful. Another joint initiative between Bury’s Football in the Community and Forever Bury which is proving a tremendous addition to the town’s educational facilities. Forever Bury funded all the computer equipment and the day-to-day management will be the remit of Shaun, who s also a co-opted Forever Bury Director.

 

The Pitch

 

As everyone is probably aware the pitch has been in quite a poor state for a number of years so I’d like to publicly pay tribute to Mike Curtis and his lads for the work they’ve done on the pitch over the last couple of years. I think everyone can see that it’s finally paying dividends and let’s hope the lads can get a winning streak going on it.

 

 

Hospital Visit

I was particularly pleased to be wearing my Forever Bury hat when I helped to organise the recent visit to Fairfield Hospital with Chris Casper, Chris Brass and all the players spending an enjoyable time chatting to all the youngsters on the Children’s Ward and in Outpatients. Forever Bury donated plenty of Christmas presents for the lads to give out and everyone had a great time. Many thanks to everyone who came along and hopefully we’ll be able to organise more community events to add to all the school visits that the players already do.

 

And Finally

Let’s not forget, it’s our club, we are all in it together from the Boardroom down. Were we take it is up to all of us. It won’t be easy but together we can make a difference. If you’d like to be more involved then please consider joining Forever Bury – call in the Cabin on match days.