Bury FC: Get involved - your club needs you now

FOLLOWING the magnificent support of the local community, Bury Football Club came out of administration in time to take part in the 2002/2003 season.

It was hoped that with these difficult times behind them the club would thrive, however, the huge inherited debt that the new directors had to cope with has proved to be a continuing obstacle.

The fans, in the form of 'Forever Bury' (The Bury F.C. Supporters Society Ltd.) have been working non-stop to raise the profile of the club and much needed funds which they pass on to the club in exchange for shares. The current share holding stands at 247,000.

The trust are also striving to have a more proactive role within the club and now elect one of our members on to the board of Bury F.C.

Since the formation we have instigated several fundraising schemes.

Last year we ran a series of very successful car boot sales at Gigg Lane and these will be starting again in March this year.

We will be holding our second sponsored walk to the Rochdale game in March. Last year 96 walkers raised in excess of £3,500 and with the travelling support that day in the region of 2,800 just think what could have been raised and how much help that would be in the current situation.

May will see the second beer festival at Gigg Lane and we are already seeking sponsors for this popular event.

One ongoing fund-raiser is the "Time For Change at Gigg Lane", whereby people can take one of our money boxes and collect loose change which, when returned to us, we convert to pennies in an attempt to cover the playing surface. To date we have raised nearly £2,000.

Forever Bury also has its own beer, brewed by Leyden Brewery of Nangreaves, which is available on draught, in bottles and in Party Packs.

This has raised well over £1,000 since it was launched. We also attend the Farmer's Market in Ramsbottom on the second Sunday of every month and sell the beer there.

Robbie the Bobby, the club mascot, is also now used by the trust, and has attended an incredible amount of events around the area, culminating in a very successful days work becoming the 'Mightiest Shaker' when he toured schools raising money for Children in Need!

Recently, Forever Bury produced a strategy document which detailed our aims and included our vision statement: "To make Bury Football Club an integral part of the community, owned by the community".

It's members (the fifty or so active volunteers - we do need more!) have been working towards this aim, building superb links with the local authority, Sports Council, minority groups, the business community and education sector.

We are now looking to the wider public to join us. We are a totally democratic society, with every member holding one share.

The board of directors is elected by the members and half the board has to stand down each year and may stand for re-election.

Annual membership is £10 and £5 for juniors or the over 65s, but at the moment, because we are half way through our year these prices have now been halved for new members.

On subscribing you will receive a share certificate and a membership card which will enable you to take advantage of our discount scheme, whereby some 40 companies have very generously agreed to give discounts varying between 5% and 50% on production of a membership card.

These companies include the cinema, a butchers, hairdressers, furniture stores, carpet store, laminate flooring, decorators, lighting, men's clothing, women's clothing, children's clothing and shoes, nursery equipment, builders, restaurants and many others.

We have recently opened an office and Visitors Centre based on the forecourt at Gigg Lane, again this was only possible because of generous donations from nearly 30 companies in the area.

We still need to add the finishing touches and are actively looking for another sponsor or two.

All the companies that have helped us will be permanently featured in a framed display in the cabin and also on a sponsors page on our web site. We also require sundry office equipment if anyone has anything spare.

It's up to you now, whether you're an individual that wants to join us or a company or school that wants to get involved or just someone who wants to know more then drop in at the Visitors Centre next week where it will be manned by volunteers, Monday, January 12 to Thursday, January 15 from 9.15am to 3pm.

To make Bury Football Club into a thriving community club then it needs you, the community, to get behind it, we are now offering you that opportunity to get involved and help build a brighter future for everyone.

Check out our web site www.foreverbury.co.uk