Businessman takes over football club
BURY FC has announced Macclesfield businessman Steve Dale as the football club’s new owner.
Mr Dale, from Prestbury, takes over as owner and chairman from Stewart Day, who bought the League Two club in May, 2013.
Matt McCarthy join as a director.
Mr Dale said his initial plan was to ‘establish Bury as a stable and selfsufficient League One side’.
In a statement on Tuesday announcing the takeover, the club said the previous board had all stood down from their respective positions, but confirmed Glenn Thomas had been asked to remain as interim vice chairman.
Karl Evans would remain in his position as Chief Executive Officer, the statement added.
The Gigg Lane club will were relegated to League Two last season and the club said in the statement the relegation ‘hit the club hard, resulting in cash flow issues off the pitch’.
“This is something that will be addressed by the new owner as he begins the transition process, as he takes up the role of chairman,” the club said.
“Steve is a very successful businessman and will be bringing his vast business experience to the club, as he looks to take us to the next level.”
Mr Dale, in a statement, said: “I’m delighted to have taken over this historic club. My initial plan is to establish Bury as a stable and self-sufficient League One side.
“I want to re-establish the club in the local community by investing time and resources to something that is vitally important to football clubs.
“We want the Bury public to come and watch the team and to stand by us as one community.”
The club paid tribute to the work of outgoing owner Stewart Day, including his work to progress the club’s youth and academy setup.
Mr Day said he was the leaving the club in a stronger position than when he arrived and added: “It is with a heavy heart that I have taken the decision to step down from my role at the club. I have a young family that deserve my attention, so the time is right.
“The promotion season, secured on the last day of the 2014/15 season, will be a memory that will last for a lifetime for me. The relegation last season will also be something that will always haunt me.”
Bury, under manager Ryan Lowe, currently sit fourth in League Two.