Bury fans group buys Gigg Lane 

Est 1885 has agreed heads of terms on a deal for the 12,000-capacity stadium, beating off competition from a number of interested parties. 

The fans group’s acquisition of Gigg Lane includes club memorabilia, goodwill and intellectual property, including the Bury FC name, according to administrator Inquesta Corporate Recovery & Insolvency.

The ground was put up for sale earlier this year following Bury FC’s collapse into administration in November 2020, more than a year after the club was expelled from the Football League. 

The club has not played a game since 2019 when chairman Steve Dale failed to prove the club had enough money to compete in the 2019/2020 season. 

AFC Bury, a so-called phoenix club, was set up following the collapse of Bury FC. The club plays its home games in Radcliffe and competes in the North West Counties Division One North. 

Est 1885 hopes that by buying the ground Bury FC could return to Gigg Lane in time for next season, subject to FA approval. However, it is unclear what division the club would be placed in. 

Steven Wiseglass, director of Inquesta, said: “We have accepted an offer to purchase the Gigg Lane stadium and other assets, and have agreed heads of terms with the interested party. 

“We remain hopeful that the deal will be completed in a timely fashion and will be a major step towards securing the future of football at Gigg Lane. 

“My hope has always been that Bury FC could be rescued and seek readmission to the football pyramid system, and this now seems a step closer to becoming a reality.” 

Est 1885 was contacted for comment.

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Best of luck to them.

By Anonymous

I hope this model of ownership proves to be successful and others then adopt it.

By MrP

What wonderful news.

By Rich X

Great news.

By ChesneyT

So is this setting up as another team to AFC Bury? Certainly reads that way. Very odd thing to do. Bury could only just about carry one team. I don’t say that disparagingly either – I’m a Stockport County fan and Stockport, a bigger town than Bury, couldn’t carry two teams trying to get back into the FL – but unless this is a move to eventually get AFC Bury into Gigg Lane (and reclaim the history that appears attached to the deal) it feels like an odd move.

By OldTom

@OldTom – No this is the original Bury FC and as such will be the same club that won the FA Cup twice etc. AFC was setup to give Bury fans a chance to get behind a team whilst Bury FC tried to be salvaged. I’m an AFC season ticket holder but like many we will be transferring our support to our 1st love. AFC should be merged or folded, if that happens or not who knows. What I do know is after 40 years of watching them with my dad (whose ashes are on that pitch) and my kids support, which was snatched away from us, I dont care what league we play.

By PS

Let’s hope two become one.

By Geri

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