Bury FC: Premier League clubs stay silent as tributes are paid following 134-year-old club’s demise

A last-minute takeover collapsed on Tuesday leaving Bury to miss the 5pm deadline set by the EFL, and their membership has now been rescinded

English Football League clubs have come out in solidarity with Bury FC after the 134-year-old club were expelled from the EFL following years of mismanagement, but there was seemingly no acknowledgement of the situation by Premier League clubs on Wednesday morning.

A last-minute takeover collapsed on Tuesday leaving Bury to miss the 5pm deadline set by the EFL, and their membership has now been rescinded. They become the first team to be expelled from the Football League since Maidstone’s liquidation in 1992.

Bury would need to reform as a new club to continue in any guise by rejoining the English football pyramid in the lower leagues.

Luton Town, Northampton Town and Wigan Athletic were among a number of EFL clubs to recognise the sad demise of Bury, while a raft of non-league clubs including Hallam FC, Chester FC and Tonbridge Angels also paid tribute.

“Terribly sad news for all connected with @buryfcofficial,” tweeted Wigan. “We have had great matches with the Shakers over the years and were always given such a warm welcome at Gigg Lane by the dedicated staff. We are thinking of the supporters, players and staff at this difficult time.”

However, at time of writing not a single Premier League club had made reference to Bury’s plight. Manchester United and Manchester City are both within 10 miles of Gigg Lane, while newly promoted Sheffield United were playing against Bury in League One only two and a half years ago.

The financial gulf between the top flight and the rest of English football has continued to grow over the past decade while many lower league clubs like Bury and Bolton Wanderers, who themselves have only 14 days to complete a takeover or face a similar fate, have struggled to stay afloat.

Southampton forward Charlie Austin was one of several current and former players to tweet about Bury. “Bury football club has been let down by the powers that be,” Austin wrote. “Surely they could see the club was only going one way for some time as they wasn’t making deadlines it just doesn’t make sense, #footballisnotthewinner.”

Former England international Trevor Sinclair described Bury’s plight as “tragic”. The former Everton and Wales goalkeeper Neville Southall, who began his career at Bury, tweeted: “It’s a very sad day for football. The club that took a chance on me has been left to sink. The rich get richer while the poor die off. Bury FC will survive because the fans have got what the FA don’t: compassion, commitment, desire and heart.”