Bury FC fans asked to vote on merger and return to Gigg Lane for second time

Bury FC supporters are again being asked to vote on plans to unite two fan groups in a bid to bring football back to Gigg Lane.

Plans to merge the Shakers Community Society and Bury Football Club Supporters Society (BFCSS) failed last year after members of the latter voted against them.

Supporters have again being asked to vote in favour of the merger after both groups agreed on the terms of a new vote. The aim is to have one club playing back at Gigg Lane - Bury FC's historic home ground - in time for the 2023/24 season.

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Bury FC were thrown out of the EFL in 2019 amid financial difficulties and later entered administration. In the wake of the club's demise, a group of fans set up a new outfit - Bury AFC. The fan-owned club currently plays in the North West Counties League Premier Division, having won promotion last season.

BFCSS, a separate fan group, purchased Bury FC's name, assets and Gigg Lane last year. While members of the Shakers Community Society - the group that set up Bury AFC - backed a merger in the original vote last October, a separate poll of BFCSS members fell just short of the two thirds majority required for it to be go ahead.

Bury council has pledged £450,000 alongside a £300,000 government grant to support the new club in the event of a merger. Both fan groups have warned that both Gigg Lane and the funding would be lost if the plans fail for a second time.

On occasions, hostile words have been exchanged as a divide emerged between the Shakers Community Society and BFCSS.

Last month, BFCSS revealed that an application to enter its own team into the North West Counties Football League (NWCFL) had been