Re: Do Nuneaton Borough still exist?

By AlanD26/1 05:38Fri Jan 26 05:38:36 2024In response to Re: Do Nuneaton Borough still exist?

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The situation at Bury was that there were effectively two clubs, BuryAFC, a phoenix, set up by fans who didn’t want to see what happened to the old club, still sat in administration with debts of, alledgedly, some £12,000,000 (a figure that is more fiction than fact).
Another group of fans, putting together a deal to buy the stadium from the administrator for some £1,300,000. Monies raised through the government’s levelling up scheme and so called “benefactors”, basically former Directors and a Californian businessman whose father had been a lifelong Bury fan.
The second group tried to set up their own club, Bury Community United FC (really trips off the tongue doesn’t it!).
Anyway, the impasse was broken by the FA basically putting a stop on a second club but agreeing, subject to a merger of the two “clubs” to allow the name of BuryFC to be used for the new entity (effectively BuryAFC) back at Gigg Lane.
When AFC started up, I believe it was only due to pressure from the FA that we were allowed to start in the North West Counties Division One ( tier 10). Many wanted us down in tier 11 the Manchester League.
We are now upto the heady heights of tier 9, currently second in the table, but it’s tough at even that level.
When we were AFC at Radcliffe, we were getting crowds of between 1,200 and 1,500. The first game back at Gigg Lane had a gate of over 5,500, it’s settled down now, but still averaging around 3,500 to 4,000.
That’s why you must avoid a split in your fanbase and the nightmare of two clubs going forward. Our split has left many scars, even though we have now merged together. We’ve lost an estimated 200 to 300 fans who have switched allegiance to Radcliffe, who could be in the NLN next season, as they don’t see the club as the “real” BuryFC.
We are technically fan owned, but many see this as limiting any long term progression. I however don’t ever want to see commercial ownership again after the history of the “businessmen” who destroyed us.
PLEASE, work together as one, don’t make the mistakes we did, talk to clubs like Chester, Scarborough and especially AFC Wimbledon, they will help, as will BuryFC, the new BuryFC that is.
Sorry to go on so, but always had a soft spot for your lot, and I really want to see you get it right.