Meet the Club: Bury FC

Club Fact File:

Founded: 1885

The Ground: Gigg Lane holds a capacity of 12,500 and is a former EFL ground.

The Manager: Dave McNabb has been The Shakers boss since September 2023 after departing Bootle and has also previously managed Warrington Rylands and Macclesfield.

History: Bury Football Club, nicknamed The Shakers, was founded in 1885 in the town of Bury, Greater Manchester, England. The club was formed following a meeting between members of two local churches, and it quickly became a prominent part of the town’s identity.

Bury joined the Football League in 1894 and experienced early success, winning the FA Cup twice—in 1900 and 1903. The 1903 victory was especially notable, as Bury defeated Derby County 6–0 in the final, a record margin that still stands today.

Throughout the 20th century, Bury spent much of its time in the lower tiers of the English football league system. The club’s home ground, Gigg Lane, was one of the oldest in the country, opening in 1885 and serving as a central part of the community for well over a century.

However, Bury's fortunes declined in the 21st century, and the club faced increasing financial difficulties. In August 2019, after a failed takeover and the inability to meet financial requirements, Bury FC was expelled from the English Football League (EFL), becoming the first club to be expelled from the league since 1992.

In the years that followed, efforts to revive football in the town led to the formation of a phoenix club, Bury AFC, which began playing in 2020. In 2023, following a merger between Bury FC’s supporters' society and Bury AFC, the unified club returned to Gigg Lane, marking a hopeful new chapter for football in Bury.

Bury FC’s story is one of early triumph, long-standing tradition, and the passionate community effort to preserve football heritage in the town.

Recent Honours:

• North West Counties Division One North Champions 2021/22

• North West Counties Premier Division Champions 2024/25