BURY’S RETURN HOPES DASHED BY EFL

BURY’S bid to be re-admitted to the EFL as a League Two club under new ownership next season has been rejected.

The Shakers were expelled from League One at the end of August following the postponement of their first five fixtures after they were unable to provide proof that they had the finances in place to see out the campaign with a proposed takeover having fallen through.

Ever since, the Bury FC Rescue Board, chaired by Bury North MP James Frith, has been working to bring an end to current owner Steve Dale’s reign and re-establish the club, and they had issued a plea ahead of yesterday’s meeting of the remaining 71 EFL clubs to consider their return.

However, their hopes have been dashed after members instead opted to press ahead with a plan to relegate just three clubs from League One and only one from the fourth tier at the end of the current season.

An EFL statement said: “Following in-depth discussions, it became clear that the proposal did not have the necessary support and that EFL clubs favoured extending the existing principle of a reduction in relegation across all divisions as a means of returning to 72 clubs now and for the future.”

The EFL’s executive chair Debbie Jevans revealed the decision has been taken to ensure fairness for all members of the football pyramid.

She said: “While we are saddened that Bury FC is no longer part of the EFL, the Board’s difficult decision to withdraw membership was only taken after every opportunity to find a resolution was exhausted.”