SOUTHGATE: FIRST GAME I EVER SAW WAS AT GIGG LANE

GARETH SOUTHGATE was just four when his father took him to Bury FC to see his first ever football match.

It was April, 1975 and a goal by Derek Spence gave the Shakers a 1-0 victory over Watford at Gigg Lane in the old Division Three.

Southgate, born in Watford, was living in the small Lancashire mill town situated eight miles outside Manchester, after his dad moved the family up north for work.

And while the England manager only has hazy memories of the three childhood years he spent in Bury, he does remember that header by Northern Ireland cult hero Spence.

When debt-ridden Bury became the first club for over a quarter of a century to be expelled from the Football League last week, it was a shock that resonated deeply with Southgate.

And he fears it’s just the beginning. Southgate recalled: “The first game I ever went to was at Gigg Lane.

“I can’t say I remember too much about living up in Bury, because I was only young when we moved there. But the first game I went to was definitely Bury against Watford.

“I don’t think I watched much of the game as I was running up and down the terraces – probably with my dad clipping me round the ear to sit and watch!

“But Derek Spence scored the winner. That sticks in my mind.

“I just remember being at the game and Derek

Spence sticking a header in.

Tragic

“I know he is still a legend at Bury – and up at Blackpool.”

Southgate added: “What has happened at Bury is a tragic story.

“My first thoughts are with people who have lost their jobs this week.

“The human element is that players at that level have much more financial difficulty than players in the leagues above. And, of course, there’s the rest of the club’s staff.

“It’s like any other business that goes under. It’s a massive blow for those families.

“Then there’s all the supporters too, for whom the club is part of the community and gives them a real sense of identity.

“It worries me. And I think it could be something we see a bit more frequently.”

Bolton Wanderers were saved from following their neighbours into the abyss by an 11th-hour takeover.

There was no such rescue package for Bury, a club with 135 years of history, founder members of the Football League and two- time FA Cup winners.

As England manager, Southgate ( above) is careful about commenting on football governance.

He does not address the so-called fit and proper persons test which allowed Steve Dale to buy Bury for just £1 last December.

But Southgate is aware of the financial landscape that sees Premier League clubs bank a minimum of £100million every season, while lower league sides exist hand-to-mouth.

Southgate said: “I don’t know enough about how everything operates.

“But what is clear to me is that, in a 92- team pyramid and with other professional teams at non-league level, there are so many clubs in debt.

Risks

“That can’t be sustainable – and it has to be addressed. I understand the desire for people to take risks to progress their clubs, and there are examples where that has worked.

“But I think clubs have to think seriously about their business models.

“I believe there are young players coming through in this country, and if clubs use that talent then they can have a sustainable model.

“I’m not sure the game at the moment is sustainable in its spending, outside of the money that comes in from the television.”

My thoughts are with the people at Bury who have lost their jobs. What has happened is a tragic story...