Losing more clubs like Bury a ‘crying shame’

BRIAN Barry-Murphy has added his voice to calls to protect the footballing pyramid in England.

With the Premier League still discussing a bailout package for EFL clubs following the rejection of Project Big Picture proposals favoured by the ‘big six,’ many clubs in the lower reaches of the Football League are facing uncertain futures without the bread and butter of matchday income.

“We were convinced all of our supporters would be back in the stadium at this point,” said BBM.

“I have to be careful because I have been saying for weeks that they should be back, but I don’t know the exact reasons why they are not and I’ve been almost getting above my station. I think we have to accept that clubs like ourselves need some sort of assistance and the sooner that comes, the better for everybody in the communities because the worry is that clubs of our stature will find it very hard to move forward.

“I don’t know the exact package that will be right for clubs in our league but I know that at some stage it will have to be one agreed on by all parties.

“I’m not from the UK but when I was living in Ireland, the thing I admired the most about the UK was the clubs that are in close proximity all around the countries.

“We have lost the derby against Bury which has hugely disappointing, so to see that become even more common would be a crying shame and I think there are solutions out there so it’s imperative the powers that be find those solutions and understand how much it means to all of the people in the smaller areas of the country.

“Football is such an important way of life in this country.”