Statement from Bury Council following tonight's Bury football merger vote

“This a tremendous result for football, for unity and for the whole community.

“Bringing elite men’s football back to its spiritual home at Gigg Lane has been a dream of many thousands of sports fans across the borough.

“The dream can now become a reality.

“Bringing together the football fanbase in Bury, united behind one team, was always going to be the most sensible and sustainable way forward to guarantee the future of the stadium as a footballing venue and a community asset.

“It has taken a lot of hard work from a lot of people to get to this point, and we would like to thank everyone who has been involved in this journey.

“From the outset, we made it clear that the council would provide £450,000 towards the community stadium proposals, conditional upon a merger and a viable business case in support of Gigg Lane.

“We are delighted that Bury football fans have got firmly behind the plans for this new future.

“We look forward to working closely with the new club to maximise the benefits to the local community and deliver a one club, fan run, community-led future for Bury FC, which will also have considerable benefits for the local economy.”

Cllr Eamonn O’Brien, leader of Bury Council

Cllr Charlotte Morris, cabinet member for culture and the economy

ENDS

Press release issued: 5 May 2023.