Radcliffe Juniors cancel games at Redbank Field amid protest march

Friday, 2 September 2022 14:49

By Adam Clark

Radcliffe FC have announced this afternoon that all juniogames at their home venue of Redbank Fields are cancelled tomorrow (Saturday).

This follows an announcement of a protest march by the 'Vote No Merger - Bury FC'

The march is due to start at 11:15am from the Bridge Tavern pub in Radcliffe and conclude at Redbank Fields, nearby to the Neuven Stadium where Bury AFC are hosting North Shields tomorrow lunchtime.

Radclliffe FC chairman, Paul Hilton says he's "appalled" at the march taking place at Redbank Fields.

The statement reads: "I am appalled at the decision to choose to march on Redbank Playing Fields - the home of Radcliffe Juniors, worse so on a Saturday morning when any football fan will know that children will be enjoying their sport in a safe a friendly environment and I am equally disappointed that no members of Bury football groups have taken any serious consideration into the effect this could have on our local children - Radcliffe FC's local children - who are absolutely innocent of anything connected to whatever quarrels Bury FCs fans may have.

"These actions, decisions and non-communication show a complete lack of respect and understanding of local football and a total disregard for the safeguarding of young Radcliffe Juniors players and their families by all parties in the Bury football scene.

"We therefore have no alternative but to cancel all games on Redbank Playing Fields on Saturday morning. Be in no doubt that this deprives over 280 local children and their families from enjoying sport this weekend.

"Radcliffe FC and Radcliffe Juniors have taken no sides in this debate and we will not, but if this is the future of the football environment in Bury then we are glad to be Radcliffe."

In response, Vote No Merger - Bury FC said: "We have discussed what is the correct thing to do and we will not be cancelling the march as there is no sufficient reason to do so and no vote date has still been announced, with any announcement looking very unlikely we will continue as planned."