Bury down the pan at the hands of Property Speculators.

https://amp.theguardian.com/football/2019/jun/18/bury-inside-story-financial-ruin-winding-up-petition-loans-car-park?__twitter_impression=true

Bury dying in a sea of multiple layers of loan sharks...whilst down the road Man C have a lake of Arab money to swim in to their hearts content.

Football clubs trying to be property development companies always ends badly for the football. Until super fans stop rimming the fine gennlemen raping their clubs instead of offering to build feckin statues to them not much will change. We had a very lucky escape with Brent yet the people that really saved the club are painted as agenda driven freaks.

Ferzackerly Earwig, a cautionary tale.

Sounds like they are fecked.

Maybe Brent could save them?

The game against Accrington Stanley has now been suspended as the EFL say they are not happy that Bury have the finances to pay off debt, wages and see them through the season.

If Bury aren't careful, they will get expelled from the EFL altogether.

https://www.fourfourtwo.com/us/news/burys-second-game-season-against-accrington-suspended

Earwegoagain wrote:

Maybe Brent could save them?

LOL! Enter the brent!  They'll wish they had Dale back again.

This suspension of 2 games is unprecedented.  They can't go on too long with games being suspended as it will start to cause problems with the fixture list.  Hideous for the fans.

The Bury fans will be punished for the owners indiscretions, it isn't the answer. All owners should have to apply for a licence to run a club and if the FL revoke the licence the club should be put on admin type life support whilst a replacement owner is sought. They should have fecked Dale off months ago and the process could be well under way by now. I've got a feeling the FL want a scalp to hang on their lances as a warning to other clubs but as we only too well you have zero control over who or what takes your club over. At the end of the day the FL allowed Dale to take over they should be more willing to admit they are partly to blame and help the club (not Dale) to find their feet again.

Freathy wrote:

Earwegoagain wrote:

Maybe Brent could save them?

LOL! Enter the brent!  They'll wish they had Dale back again.

This suspension of 2 games is unprecedented.  They can't go on too long with games being suspended as it will start to cause problems with the fixture list.  Hideous for the fans.

Hang on Bury! Jimmy and the Cornish fighter are heading to the rescue.

Bury staff have called on owner Steve Dale to accept an offer to buy the financially embattled League One club.

The call came as the English Football League gave Bury until 09:00 BST on Tuesday to show how they plan to pay off creditors - or face having their next with game Gillingham suspended.

A statement said the offer is "the only lifeline for the future of the club".

"We implore Steve Dale to accept it, as it has the full backing of all of the senior staff at Bury FC," it added.

Dale previously said he will not sell until financial stability is restored.

Bury are yet to play a game this season after League One matches against MK Dons and Accrington, as well as Tuesday's League Cup match against Sheffield Wednesday, have all been suspended because of the crisis at Gigg Lane.

They have been given until 23 August to avoid being expelled from the EFL as evidence previously requested about how Bury will meet its commitments to football creditors, those outlined in its Company Voluntary Arrangement (CVA) or details how the club will be funded this season, has not been provided.

"We remain disappointed that we are still not in a position to reach a successful conclusion with Mr Dale, but will continue to work diligently in an effort to receive the information we require," said EFL executive chair Debbie Jevans.

"The real threat of Bury's EFL membership being withdrawn still exists, a situation nobody - including this board - wants to see and I sincerely hope we can find a way through these challenging circumstances for the benefit of all those who have an association with the club."

Within minutes of the EFL setting a 15-hour deadline for those details, Bury released a three line statement that said a buyer had come forward with a takeover bid, which is "one that we all at the club believe is a very good offer".

"This offer has been conveyed to Steve Dale and we are still waiting to hear from him," the statement continued.

Bury's summer of turmoil
Last week, the 134-year-old club said they were "confident" of remaining in the EFL despite the threat of expulsion.

The Shakers, who won promotion from League Two last season, have already been given a 12-point deduction for the season after entering into a CVA - which is classed as an insolvency event by the EFL - to try to clear some of their debts.

Bury saw a winding-up petition against them dismissed by the High Court on 31 July, while Dale claimed the EFL were "working against" the club, to which Jevans later said that the league was "not standing in the way" of the club's survival.

The EFL had previously issued the club with a withdrawal of membership notice - which was itself suspended since 25 July - but this has now been lifted.

Bury have also previously been referred to an independent disciplinary panel after their opening-day fixture against MK Dons was suspended.

The summer of turmoil has also decimated the squad, with five former Shakers players going on to join Plymouth Argyle alone.

In Devon, the quintet have been reunited with manager Ryan Lowe, assistant Steven Schumacher and other backroom staff who both left Gigg Lane in June.

Bury owner Steve Dale says he will consider selling financially embattled League One club after staff 'implored' him to accept a new offer.

Shakers staff issued a statement on Monday saying interest had come in for the club, which could face having a fourth game successive game postponed.

Minutes earlier the EFL gave Bury until 09:00 BST on Tuesday to show how it will pay creditors.

If they cannot, Saturday's game with Gillingham will be suspended.

"Due to the agenda with the EFL, my health and recent events at the club I can confirm I am happy to pass the club on to the next custodian. For an agreed consideration and them being the right fit for Bury," Dale told BBC Radio Manchester in a statement.

Bury are yet to play a game this season after League One matches against MK Dons and Accrington, as well as Tuesday's League Cup match against Sheffield Wednesday, were suspended because of the crisis at Gigg Lane.

Dale had previously said he would not sell the club until financial stability had been restored.

The statement from Bury staff posted on the club website read: "We have received an offer for the sale of Bury Football Club, one that we all at the club believe is a very good offer.

"This offer is the only lifeline for the future of the club and we implore Steve Dale to accept it, as it has the full backing of all of the senior staff at Bury FC."

Bury's match against Gillingham on Saturday has been suspended by the English Football League - the fourth Shakers game to be called off.

The League One club were unable to satisfy the EFL's request to prove their financial viability by 09:00 BST.

The decision by the EFL comes a day after owner Steve Dale said he would consider a sale after a "lifeline" takeover offer was made on Monday.

Bury are also working towards a 23 August deadline to avoid EFL expulsion.

An EFL statement said: "Clarity is still required on plans to meet the club's commitments to football creditors, payment to unsecured creditors as part of the company voluntary arrangement (CVA), alongside source and sufficiency of funding for season 2019-20."

It added that a decision regarding the League One fixture against Rotherham on 20 August will be taken on Thursday, and said the EFL "remains committed to working with the club to try and find a successful conclusion".

The future of the 134-year-old club has come under serious threat this summer because of the financial turmoil.

While the Shakers won promotion from League Two last season despite their money problems, they are yet to begin life in England's third division as their opening three league fixtures, against MK Dons, Accrington and now Gillingham, have all been suspended.

Tuesday's Carabao Cup first-round tie against Sheffield Wednesday was also called off because of the crisis at Gigg Lane.

The club has got to sustain itself - Dale
Within minutes of the EFL imposing a new 15-hour deadline on Monday evening to get satisfactory evidence about how Bury will pay outstanding creditors and meet ongoing costs, Shakers staff posted a statement on the club website "imploring" Dale to sell after they reviewed an offer from an unnamed bidder.

It prompted Dale to say he would sell if the bidder was the "right fit for Bury", having previously insisted he would not consider offloading the club until financial stability had been restored.

Speaking to BBC Radio 5 Live on Tuesday, Dale said: "The club has got to sustain itself. If someone comes in to buy a club, they've got to realise that there are bills with the club. The previous owner doesn't take those with them, they're theirs [the new owner's].

"So the £3.2m that's needed for the CVA needs to be met by the new owner, not me. They've got to take the responsibility of it off me.

"The things that I've paid for that the club needs to sustain itself, they need to reimburse me for what I've paid out, and for the seven months of hell that me and my family have had, they've got to make an offer for that," added Dale, who referenced protests made against himself and his children by a small minority of Bury supporters.

News of offer 'encouraging', says local MP
A potential takeover, the suspension of a fourth game and the plea from staff come after months of trouble at Gigg Lane.

Bury have already been given a 12-point deduction for the season after entering into a CVA - which is classed as an insolvency event by the EFL - to try to clear some of their debts.

A winding-up petition against them was dismissed by the High Court on 31 July, with Dale going on to claim the EFL was "working against" the club. The league's executive chair Debbie Jevans later said the EFL was "not standing in the way" of the club's survival.

While a withdrawal of membership was served by the EFL and later suspended earlier in the summer, it has now been lifted, with the club now facing expulsion if financial order cannot be restored by 23 August.

Bury North MP James Frith has said "time is ticking and running out" for the club and added that he had been given assurances that the expulsion order could again be paused.

"The latest news is encouraging but we have been here before," he told BBC Radio Manchester. "Steve Dale has already been in a court of law telling a judge that he intended to sell.

"So no more games Mr Dale, he needs to engage with the prospective new owners.

"I've had assurances from the EFL, [executive chair] Debbie Jevans herself, that there is scope to pause the clock on the expulsion order so that we don't just hurtle over a cliff edge, despite there being conversations now apparently ready to happen."

Dale out.

Their 5th game against Rotherham has also been postponed, and their game against Tranmere will be decided upon early next week-

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/49356357

Not good

Bury's match against Tranmere Rovers on Saturday has become the Shakers' sixth game to be suspended, while Steve Dale has rejected an offer to buy the club.

Bury, who could be expelled from the English Football League on Friday, have also been removed from the Carabao Cup.

The EFL has said it is "frustrated at the lack of progress" made as it seeks evidence that Bury can pay creditors and have funding for the season ahead.

Owner Dale is believed to have refused an offer made by a former chairman.

It is understood the offer would have secured the survival of the League One outfit, with the ex-chairman told that Dale believes he can get a better offer.

The EFL have also confirmed that if Bury are expelled, the League One season will be completed with 23 teams, with the number of relegation places reduced to three.

It added that it remains in "regular communication" with Dale but that "if a solution is not found by the deadline, the board will authorise the necessary share transfer on behalf of Bury FC which shall be legally binding on all parties and result, regretfully, in the club no longer being a member of the League".

If Bury are removed from the league, the EFL says the club "would then be free to make an application to the Football Association to rejoin league competition further down the English football pyramid from season 2020-21".

Bury staff issued a statement on 12 August which "implored" Dale to accept an offer for the club, who are yet to play a competitive fixture this season.

They have had five successive League One fixtures suspended, while their withdrawal from the Carabao Cup means Sheffield Wednesday have received a bye to the second round, when they will play Rotherham United.

The 134-year-old Shakers have already been given a 12-point deduction for the season after entering into a company voluntary arrangement (CVA) - which is classed as an insolvency event by the EFL - to try to clear some of their debts.

Bury saw a winding-up petition against them dismissed by the High Court on 31 July, while Dale claimed the EFL was "working against" them.

A coffin with 'RIP Bury FC 1885-?' painted on it leans against a wall. Just a few metres away, a woman stands handcuffed to a drainpipe.

Bury Football Club is 134 years old. In less than 134 hours, it could be no more.

With the club in financial turmoil, and six successive fixtures cancelled so far this season, the Shakers could be expelled from the English Football League.

It is the nightmare scenario for the club's fans and the town.

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Joy Hart's father Les was 'Mr Bury'. He spent 44 years at the club as player, manager, coach and physio, and the club's south stand bears his name.

On Wednesday afternoon Joy - a former director of the club - handcuffed herself to a drainpipe at the club's ground in protest at its plight.

"We need everybody's help, or on Friday we will not be a football club ever again," she says, with tears in her eyes.

"I am appealing to all the north-west clubs. Please help us. Unless somebody comes in, we are dead on Friday. Forever.

"I cannot even bear to think about how much it will affect me and thousands of other people."

Just after Joy's protest begins, a man arrives and offers his support. He then kicks open a door at the stadium and shouts angrily at a member of staff inside before apologising to those around him and walking away. He later returns with two friends. Carrying a coffin.

There is a lot of anger in this town. Anger at how this club, their club, has been allowed to reach this precipice.

"What will annoy me is if 44 years of memories are taken away," says Tom. "I hope I have got lots more good times to come.

"I have not watched Match of the Day and the past two weeks of EFL, because I cannot stomach watching any football without my team playing.

"The chairman needs to do the right thing, give the club back to the fans and community, and players that will proudly wear the shirt.

On 30 April, Bury secured promotion to League One - an achievement made all the more impressive by a series of financial challenges off it.

A week earlier, the club had been put up for sale by owner Steve Dale, who had bought it from Stewart Day for £1 in December 2018.

"Even as we were celebrating, we knew what was coming," says Tom - one of 6,719 fans who packed out Gigg Lane for Bury's final game of last season.

"That Port Vale game might be my last memory of being at the stadium."

Only two of the players in the squad for that match remain, and the first-team page on Bury's website now features just eight names.

"Last season it felt like the players were playing for the shirts," says Jamie Hoyle, who set up a petition - since signed by almost 7,000 people - calling on Dale to sell.

"Seeing that dissolve over the summer has been dreadful."

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Dale's eight months as owner have been controversial and tumultuous.

Bury have had financial problems before - administration in 2002, and further issues in 2012-13 - but the current crisis is seen by many fans as terminal.

In July, the club were hit with a 12-point deduction after entering into a company voluntary arrangement to try to clear some of their debts.

Players have not been paid on time, and last week midfielder Stephen Dawson argued with Dale live on Talksport, saying he is "on the verge of losing everything".

"Mentally, it's tough. Financially, it's been horrendous," says winger Harry Bunn. "My wife is expecting a child in February so it's been really tough.

"I can't see how a football club that's been going for 134 years can be two days away from folding.

"It's quite scary. We don't know what's around the corner. We don't know whether we'll be playing for Bury next week, or whether we'll be looking for another club."

Dale initially insisted he would not sell until financial stability had been restored, but then said he would consider selling sooner after staff "implored" him to accept a new offer.

On Tuesday, we reported he had rejected an offer made by former Port Vale chairman Norman Smurthwaite. It is understood it would have secured Bury's survival, but Dale believes he can get a better offer.

The EFL has said the club must prove it can pay off creditors and show adequate operational funding by Friday and says it is "frustrated at the lack of progress".

David has come to Gigg Lane to try to return his season ticket.

"All I want to do is come and watch football," he says. "All I want is the club to survive, nothing else.

"I am pig sick that we have ended up in this situation. I have been coming since 1962 and cannot believe the way it has gone.

"The town relies on this club - it puts it on the map."

Hoyle describes the situation as "desolate".

"You fear the worst," he says. "You fear you will not come back here and see a game of football.

"It's all I have ever known for as long as I can remember. The effect it has had on the community, people like me, my dad and thousands across town... it doesn't bear thinking about.

"I cannot contemplate life without this football club."

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The gates at Gigg Lane have not been open for a match since 24 July, when Bury lost 3-0 to Blackburn in a pre-season friendly. There is real fear they may never open again.

"I feel sad, emotional and angry," says 35-year-old John Wiggins, who attended his first game aged four.

"Seeing no football again at Gigg Lane would be a catastrophe. I hope some good news will eventually come for Bury fans but, if I am realistic, I don't see it."

Older fans - one in his 70s - speak of being "devastated" and of their "nice memories" being wiped out by recent events.

"It would be a catastrophe if Bury are no longer in the football pyramid," adds Wiggins, who feels the club gives him "a bond" with the Shakers-supporting grandfather he never met.

"There are a lot of passionate people here because of what the club means to them. Some come because it helps their mental health, others come because they have got nothing left, no loved ones, so the only thing they have is Bury Football Club."

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Bernadette, who was born on the road Gigg Lane sits on, arrives to support Joy.

"It is an absolute tragedy," she says. "I feel as if we have been tortured.

"I would never watch another football match if Bury went out of business. Whatever happens in your life, on Saturday afternoon, we always had the anchor of the club.

"Just for two hours we could forget all those other worries and be part of the big Bury family."

As well as anger there are tears - and more will be shed should the worst happen on Friday.

Martin wells up as he considers the possibility of there being no Bury Football Club.

"I wake up every day looking at what news Bury is delivering and at this moment there could not be a worse point in my life," he says.

"This is my family, this is my life."

Bolton have accepted the resignations of Phil Parkinson and his assistant-

https://www.bwfc.co.uk/news/2019/august/club-statement-phil-parkinson-and-steve-parkin/

A Club Spokesperson said: “It is with great reluctance that Bolton Wanderers Football Club has accepted the resignations of Manager Phil Parkinson and Assistant Manager Steve Parkin from their positions at the University of Bolton Stadium.

“During what has been one of the most challenging periods in the club’s existence, both Phil and Steve conducted themselves with the utmost professionalism and dignity throughout.

“In their first season at the helm, following their arrival from Bradford City in the summer of 2016, they guided Bolton Wanderers to automatic promotion to the Sky Bet Championship at the first attempt whilst operating under a transfer embargo.

“Against all the odds, they helped to preserve the club’s Championship status the following season on the final day of the campaign with a memorable last gasp victory against Nottingham Forest.

“Everybody at Bolton Wanderers Football Club would like to thank Phil and Steve for their dedication and loyalty and we wish them the very best for the future.

“They leave the University of Bolton Stadium with their heads held high.”

The Club can confirm that Academy Manager Jimmy Phillips will take charge of first team training in the interim.

Bury could be granted an extra 48 hours to avoid expulsion from the English Football League after it emerged four parties are interested in a takeover.

Owner Steve Dale has received four offers for the financially-threatened club, one of which has his backing, reports BBC Radio Manchester.

The club has until 23:59 BST on Friday to prove their financial viability.

"If something credible came through, I'm sure the board would look at it," said EFL chief executive Debbie Jevans.

"We've already suspended five matches and those five matches will have to be fitted into the rest of the season.

"We could potentially look at 24 to 48 hours but two to three weeks is simply not possible."

Jevans confirmed to BBC Radio Manchester the EFL was aware of parties who had shown an interest in the Shakers and had subsequently passed them on to Dale.

"Our position is that we are still searching and asking for the information that we require from Mr Dale to run the football club," added Jevans.

"Separate to that, we have received some communication from people interested in purchasing the football club and we have communicated that with Mr Dale and asked him whether or not we can share financial information, because it is privileged and he is still the owner.

"He has given permission for that so we have shared the information and put A in touch with B, so there are people that are interested."

Earlier this week, Dale turned down a fresh offer to buy the club, understood to be from former Port Vale owner Norman Smurthwaite.

Bury's match against Tranmere Rovers on Saturday has already been postponed, the club's sixth successive fixture to be suspended.

A 'one-off' extension
Meanwhile, Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham has written to Jevans asking for the EFL to show leniency towards the Shakers as they bid to avoid expulsion.

He also requested an urgent meeting with the EFL, the Football Association, Premier League, Professional Footballers' Association and "other local stakeholders" over the issue.

Referencing the respective financial situations at both Bolton Wanderers and Bury, Burnham said: "To lose either team through financial difficulties would be a real tragedy.

"Given the urgency of Bury's plight, I ask you to consider intervening on this occasion and granting the club a one-off extension based on an explicit agreement that new ownership would be actively sought and demonstrated."

Bury will be fine.  They'll be taken over and even with a 12 point deduction and only half a team they'll still get more points in L1 than we did last season.

50/50 I would say, as just said by Mark Palios Tranmere Chairman and former FA executive Steve Dale is playing a game of chicken with the club, think they have max of 48hrs to sell, or else the back log in the fixture list will finish them off.

I still think the FL is still fifty pre cent responsible for this mess as they cleared Dale to take over the club when it should have been clear he was no fit and proper person.

Steve Dale has asked for businesses/ fans to send him £2.7m today! The bloke really is a twat. Doesn't look like he wants to sell.

Bury are fecked then it seems,