Bury return to Gigg Lane amid joyous scenes for first time since club went bust in 2019

Last hosting a 1-1 draw against Port Vale to seal promotion in 2019, Bury's two seasons in the wilderness finally look to be at an end with fan group Est.1885 acquiring Gigg Lane in February

12:14, 19 Jul 2022

Bury's two seasons in the wilderness finally look to be at an end

Bury have returned to Gigg Lane for the first time since the club went bust in 2019, partaking in a legends-friendly match against fellow Lancashire side Burnley.

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Following a 12 point deduction for agreeing a Company Voluntary Arrangement to pay players wages, the former League One outfit were expelled from the EFL during the opening months of the 2019/20 season after owner Steve Dale was unable to sell the club.

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Promoted to the third-tier after a stonking campaign under Ryan Lowe, the Shakers' financial hardships saw the club lose 25 players before Transfer Deadline Day with Lowe also moving on to take the reins at Plymouth Argyle.

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Last hosting a 1-1 draw against Port Vale to put the cherry on top of their promotion, Bury's two seasons in the wilderness finally look to be at an end with fan group Est.1885 acquiring the stadium, the club's name and memorabilia in February amid plans to resume competitive football for the 2023/24 campaign.

And while Gigg Lane may still have to wait 12 months for its next competitive fixture, excitement was buzzing around the 11,000-capacity ground on Sunday as a reformed Bury Legends XI battled it out against a veteran cohort from Burnley.

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Played in front of 2,885 spectators, the away side took the spoils 2-1 with Andy Payton netting the first goal at Gigg Lane in 3 years, 2 months and 14 days.

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Bury last's professional match at Gigg Lane came in 2019

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Prior to the monumental occasion, former Bury midfielder Nick Daws claimed he was honoured to be a part of the Shakers' resurrection. "[Bury FC] was the club that gave me my style and professional game after playing semi-pro football at Altringham," he told the Bury Times. "It will be fantastic to put on the shirt again.

"I think it’s just a fantastic opportunity for the supporters and the important thing for me is having friends that have stayed loyal to the football club. The [game] shows that everyone can pull together and unify.

He added: "'Fundamentally for me it's about trying to kickstart the club’s return to the football pyramid, bringing together people who’ve had different thoughts about football in Bury for the last couple of seasons."

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