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Manchester Evening News
Manchester Evening News
National
Joel Shooter

Share your thoughts on the Bury football merger

Bury could soon see football return to Gigg Lane after a merger was proposed with Bury AFC in order to get a team back playing at the famous old ground.

Since Bury FC were thrown out of the Football League in 2019, the ground has remained largely unoccupied. But this could soon be set to change following a possible merger between two fan-led groups.

With a vote set to take place, we want to know whether you think the merger should go ahead or not.

READ MORE: Bury AFC dismisses claims it wants to kick women's team out of Gigg Lane under merger plans

In the years since the demise of Bury FC, fans have set up a new club - Bury AFC - competing in the lower reaches of non-league football. The newly formed fan-owned club won promotion from the tenth tier (North West Counties League First Division North) last season.

A separate fan group - the Bury Football Club Supporters' Society (BCFSS) - has also been able to rally together to "buy the Gigg Lane, and the intellectual property, history and memorabilia of Bury Football Club out of administration."

Despite some tensions between the two groups, a merger has now been proposed between them. It would likely see Bury AFC renamed as Bury FC and men's football return to Gigg Lane for the first time since 2019.

Should the proposal be voted to go ahead, Bury council has pledged to provide £450,000 along with a £300,000 government grant to support the project in its aim to bring a majority fan-owned club back to Gigg Lane in time for the 2023/24 season.

To let us know whether you agree with the merger, fill in the form below or via this link if it isn't displaying.

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