A BUSY weekend lies ahead for the lads of the Forever Bury Football Club, the band of Shakers supporters who arrange football games with other supporters teams.

The movement has grown so rapidly that there are now literally dozen of fans' football teams holding games on a semi-formal league basis.

But his weekend is something special. Sixty-four fans' teams, including Bury A and Bury B sides, will be competing in the Sports Interactive Cup World Net 2005, at Leeds.

There are 16 groups each containing four teams which play each other on a league basis to determine which teams go on to knockout final rounds.

It is not just British teams taking part. There are some continental sides, including Inter Milan, in the reckoning for the three day event this Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

The Bury B team is in Group 9, along with Leeds, Preston and Tranmere.

On paper, Bury A look to have the easier ride in Group 11 with Livingston, Lincoln and Stockport A.

However, as the organisers stress, it is not about winning, it is about taking part.

Also, the organisers virtually insist that everyone get the chance of a game at sometime during the competition.

The activities of some minorities have given football supporters a bad image at times, this sort of event helps to restore the reputation.

Dates for your diary:

l Thursday, July 21 at 7.45pm, an open forum at Bury FC Social Club, all supporters welcome.

l Sunday, July 24, Bury FC Open Day and Fun Day at Gigg Lane with all the fun of the fair plus Meet the Players, Tour the Ground, Balloon Race, Paintball Shootout, sideshows, and refreshments.

We are still looking for more people to help with the organisation.

l Sunday ,July 31, the great Morecambe Bay crossing. If you are not walking yourself, why not sponsor someone who is.

THE directors of Forever Bury have noted with some dismay the original announcement of match-day ticket prices and the subsequent statement issued by the Directors of Bury Football Club on July 6, due to adverse comment in some media sources.

Many fans have complained to Forever Bury that we must have known in advance of the large increases and also the additional offer of paying on the day, but ordering in advance to obtain a £2 reduction on the main price and that we should have put this onto our own website.

Whilst welcoming the additional benefit to FB members to take advantage of the discount available and for non-FB supporters to become members to soften the increase, Forever Bury wish to make it very clear that at no time were we involved in the process of raising ticket prices and became aware of the special offer for Forever Bury members at the same time as all other supporters reading the Club's website.

The Club are taking a big gamble: while they may lose some fans they hope to increase the gross income.

We have also noted that the match-day prices of our nearest rival for the coming season are less than our own in the main paying areas.

It is the belief of the directors of Forever Bury that the membership will only increase if those who run the Club listen, hear and understand the comments made by all fans and through Forever Bury involve or consult them in those decisions that matter to them most.