EFL says expulsion is end of road for Bury
The English Football League insists there is no way back for Bury as key figures in the area tried desperately to save the club.
Bury, formerly of League One, were expelled from the Football League late on Tuesday night after failing to secure a suitable buyer with the club on its knees. The Football Association confirmed yesterday that they will also be withdrawn from the FA Cup.
Local MPS wrote to the EFL yesterday afternoon pleading with them to reconsider the decision, but the league’s chief executive Debbie Jevans made it clear that they would not entertain an appeal.
“There’s no appeal process,” said Jevans, pictured. “It is within people’s rights to write to us. We await any correspondence, should it arrive. [I’m] devastated, no other word for it. I understand what I’ve heard the fans say. It’s very sad. But that decision was made, the share [in the EFL] has been revoked and is now with the EFL. I don’t honestly know what more we could have done.”
Bury South MP Ivan Lewis claimed that “the EFL have proof of funds from a credible global organisation which has agreed a purchase with [owner] Steve Dale”. He wanted the decision overturned, and added: “Bury can and should be saved.”
But despite those efforts to save the club’s league status, the FA announced that the EFL’S decision would have the knock-on effect of rendering them unable to compete in this season’s FA Cup.
An FA spokesman said: “This is without a doubt a sad day for Bury FC, their supporters and the local community. We appreciate how hard this decision has been for all parties involved. “Following on from their expulsion from the English Football League, Bury FC will no longer be able to participate in the Emirates FA Cup for the 2019/20 season.
“We are therefore now consulting with our stakeholders regarding the first round proper following their exit from the league.
“If the club re-forms we look forward to them applying to the Football Association to re-join league competition further down the English football pyramid from the 2020/21 season.”