Bury fans group handed £1 million of government funding for Gigg Lane purchase

A group of Bury fans have been handed £1 million of government funding to buy the club’s historic Gigg Lane stadium.

The club, nicknamed The Shakers, was expelled from the English Football League in 2019 after 125 years of membership and placed into administration just over a year ago.

The grant from the Community Ownership Fund (COF) will help get football back to Gigg Lane for the 2022/23 season.

The funding announced today will transform Gigg Lane into a multi-use community asset and will include:
•    An all-weather pitch and gymnasium for use by local schools and members of the public.
•    An indoor facility for adult education, events for the elderly, public meetings, and rehabilitation services.
•    The redevelopment of the Manchester Road End to accommodate NHS diagnostic and physiotherapy provision.

Secretary of State for Levelling Up Michael Gove said: “I pay enormous tribute to Bury’s supporters, who have shown incredible resolve in their fight to bring their beloved club back to life. By helping rescue the historic Gigg Lane stadium, we are helping to put power back into their hands and securing a cherished asset for the wider community.

The collapse of Bury FC in 2019 was a catalyst for the government to make a manifesto commitment to conduct a fan-led review of football governance at the last general election. This commitment was then triggered by the failed European Super League bid earlier this year, and the DCMS are now considering the review’s findings.

Bury fans were informed that they would need to complete the purchase of the stadium by Christmas in order to prevent it from being sold to developers.

Math Pickup, Forever Bury & Est 1885 spokesperson added: “This funding will allow us the opportunity to complete the purchase of Gigg Lane in order to bring football back to its historic home after a nearly 3-year hiatus.

“There are still a few steps left in the process and we hope to provide a further update in the coming days when the legalities have been completed but we thank all the fans for their continued support.”

The fund is backing communities to take control of much-loved local assets that might otherwise be lost and is a key tool in the government’s mission to level up across the United Kingdom.