Bury FC: Phil Neville says League One club's demise is 'absolutely disgraceful' - BBC Sport
Bury Football Club's possible demise is "absolutely disgraceful" according to England women's manager Phil Neville.
Last updated on .From the section Bury

Bury Football Club's possible demise is "absolutely disgraceful", according to England women's manager Phil Neville.

The Shakers have not played a game this season and could be expelled from the English Football League on Friday unless owner Steve Dale can prove they have the funding to continue.

Bury-born Neville's mother Jill last week resigned as club secretary, while his late father Neville was a director.

"Common sense has to prevail," said ex-Manchester United defender Neville.

"One man cannot stop one football club, which has hundreds of years of history, going out of existence.

"It's probably the biggest day in their history. Today Bury, the town, might not have a football club. It's absolutely disgraceful."
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Owner Steve Dale said on Thursday there were four parties interested in buying the club, who have had six successive games suspended and have been withdrawn from the Carabao Cup.

Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham this week wrote to English Football League chief executive Debbie Jevans asking for the Shakers to be granted more time "given the urgency of Bury's plight".

He also requested an urgent meeting with the EFL, the Football Association, Premier League, Professional Footballers' Association and "other local stakeholders" over the issue.

Meanwhile, Shakers fans have staged numerous protests, with former director Joy Hart handcuffing herself to a drainpipe outside their Gigg Lane home and a coffin reading 'RIP Bury FC 1885-?' was placed at the directors' entrance.

Neville, the brother of fellow former England defender Gary and England Netball coach Tracey, told Robbie Savage's Premier League Breakfast on BBC Radio 5 Live: "I hope somebody is allowed to buy that club and the town has something to be proud of again.

"My mum worked for [Bury for] 30 years and my dad had a stand named after him.

"To consider they might not have a football club, for me it's so upsetting. My mum is devastated. She resigned on Friday because she couldn't work with the current ownership."

Founded in 1885 and first elected to the EFL nine years later, Bury were playing in what is now known as the Championship as recently as 1999 and have twice won the FA Cup.

Former Shakers boss, and current Cardiff City manager, Neil Warnock said he was uneasy with the idea that Dale was able to buy the club from Stewart Day in December 2018 for just £1.

"I've never been a fan of anyone buying a club for a pound. There's so many things in the cupboard that you don't find out," he said.

"The EFL should have some sort of rigorous check when a club is sold for a pound."