What's Next for Bury FC?

What's next for Bury FC? Will The Shakers be competing in the football league or will they be left to languish in the depths of non-league football?

On 27th of August 2019, League One club Bury became the first club since 1992 to be expelled from the football league.

The club had successfully negotiated promotion from League Two the previous season, via the management of club legend Ryan Lowe, and were hopeful financial difficulties would be resolved throughout the summer. However, The Shakers saw their first six games of the 2019/2020 campaign suspended as the EFL sought proof of funds to carry out the season. Ultimately it was concluded the club was to be expelled, with no evidence the club could meet to the regulations required to compete in the football league.

Following their expulsion rumours surfaced the club was to seek legal action against the EFL in relation to their removal, yet nearly a month later, things seemed to have become quiet around the historic club.

So, what's next?

Bury FC were formed in 1885. The club has two FA Cups to its name and even hold the record for the biggest FA Cup final victory with their 6-0 thrashing of Derby County back in 1903. So how can the EFL expel a club with such important history in English football?

That's the question being asked by all connected with the North West club. It's been around a month since the club were expelled and the EFL are yet to make further comment of the future of the club. As things stand, the main driving force behind saving Bury FC is MP James Frith, who is working in conjunction with Forever Bury and Andy Burnahm, Mayor of Greater Manchester, to find the best solution for The Shakers.

Their aspirations are that Bury will be allowed the rest of this season to resolve their financial crisis, starting with sale of the club and subsequent removal of businessman turned hate figure Steve Dale, and begin the 2020/2021 season in League Two. As things stand that would be the perfect outcome for Bury fans.

On the other hand, it seems the only other option for Bury is to reform as a Phoenix Club. This means the club will accept their expulsion and effectively start over in the lower leagues. This path has been followed by teams such as Darlington, who reformed as Darlington 1883 seven years ago and began in the 9th tier of English football.

EFL representatives from the other 71 clubs will meet soon regarding how to bring the football league back to its official number of 72. The conversation will likely question whether Bury should be allowed to continue in the football league next season or whether the 72 will be made up through other means. There's nothing the club can do other than hope their peers will save their club deliver ecstasy to Shakers fans throughout the North West of England.