Bury FC shares update ‘reassuring fans’ after day of resignations

Bury FC has moved to reassure fans after a "testing week" in which three people at the top of the club's hierarchy resigned.

The Shakers confirmed just before midnight on Friday that CEO and club secretary Neil Sears had resigned and said further comment would be released “in due course".

It followed the resignations of Bury FC’s football chair and Football Supporter’s Society of Bury (FSSB) board member, Marcel De Matas, and FFSB chair, Phil Young, which were announced that afternoon.

The club said Mr Young will not stand for re-election in the upcoming FSSB elections and will depart the club after more than four years as chair, first of Shakers Community, and then FSSB from last year.

The Shakers said Mr De Matas has indicated he will be "standing down with immediate effect" from his role on the FSSB board, which he was elected upon last year as well as chair of the club.

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Bury FC said it faced a “testing week”, which included long-standing volunteer John Raftery being suddenly dismissed on Wednesday, leading to a public backlash from supporters on social media.

The club acknowledged that the incident was a mistake and a “function of poor communication and decision-making within the club” and promised to “do more” to ensure it does not happen again.

In a statement released today, Monday, the FFSB said: “After a testing week, including staff and board member resignations, the board wishes to reassure fans of the plans to address the immediate challenges and explain a way forward initially in this short-term period.

“It is useful to heed the words of Dave McNabb (first team manager) and his appeal for calm ahead of last weekend’s game.

“He and his team continue to do their job, and now we all as a club, board, staff and supporters need to pull together and get behind them.

“We all continue to work hard to create the club we wish to see and the successes we wish to have.”

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The club also condemned the abuse and threats faced by staff and volunteers as “intolerable”.

Bury FC said the club is operational, that the Community Benefit Society (CBS) board remains in place and that a meeting is planned this week to discuss interim positions and the election process.

It added: “We are pleased to report that football club secretarial duties will be temporarily undertaken by Ian Coyle.

“Ian has previously operated in this role and has continued to assist in this regard since Neil Sears assumed the role at the start of 2024.

“This is a key role in supporting the manager, in providing the necessary player administration and coordination of fixture arrangement with the league and any football authorities.

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“This will be reviewed as and when we get a more permanent solution, but we are delighted such a key position is temporarily covered in the interim.”

The club is now looking to bring in a temporary cover to support the staff team and manage the “day-to-day operations from Gigg Lane” following the dismissal and resignations.

They are also providing further security for staff and volunteers, stating “as responsible employers, we cannot let staff members and volunteers attend work in the fear of physical and verbal harm”.

It added: “We confirm absolutely, any sanctions imposed on individuals attending Gigg Lane will remain in place and in line with the terms provided by the club.

“Those involved will be contacted directly to re-emphasise that these sanctions remain in place.

“By being together in this pursuit will make this easier on us all.  We are the Shakers. Let’s show it, starting from today.”