Bury FC beat Burscough 4-0

Bury FC fans are celebrating a day they will never forget after the Shakers were crowned champions following a knock-out match against Burscough.

Bury FC fans are celebrating a day they will never forget after the Shakers were crowned champions following a knock-out match against Burscough. The 4-0 win will finally see the team promoted back up the football pyramid, after six ‘desperate’ years trying to recover from a devastating loss in Radcliffe.

The club were expelled from the League in 2019 what was the darkest day in the club’s 140-year history. Fans were left devastated. But after a two year push for change by supporter-led groups, the Shakers are now ‘back where they belong’, according to fans.

Almost 9,000 supporters crowded into the stadium at Gigg Lane to watch the match. They needed just a point at home to Burscough in order to be crowned North West Counties League Premier Division champions – and came out with four killer goals and a ticket to the next League.

While many fans entered with little more than cautious optimism, the atmosphere quickly turned jubilant after Aiden Walker scored a goal in the 19th minute, and another followed from Tyler James four minutes later.

After two more goals in rapid succession during the second half, the crowd knew exactly where the game was headed and promptly started a mosh pit at the barriers.

Storming the pitch after the final whistle was still ringing out across the stadium, fans celebrated ecstatically. Supporters of all ages sang, launched flares, chanted and danced together in the players’ honours. There were tears and many, many drinks spilled.

Speaking after their champions’ status was officially confirmed, long-term fan Liam Murphey, 37, said: “I’m ecstatic. I’ve been a fan since 1993. I was broken when we were expelled from the league, I was there when we restarted. Today has been full of emotion and it’s been bloody brilliant.

“I’ve not seen a crowd like this for a long time. It’s been worth it. Worth all the heartache to come back and see this today, fans united together to watch a team like this playing fantastic football. Get in there.”

And long-term fan Rachel Lewis, 56, who attended the game with her son Aled, 29, was almost in tears as she exited the stadium. “It’s really emotional,” she said. “Everything we’ve been through these last few years. It’s been a long time coming.”

Fans shared they were off for drinks or chippy teas in Bury and Manchester to celebrate the victory.

“I’m sure Bury will be buzzing tonight. They deserve a good night out,” Rick Ramsden, 38, said, adding that this was ‘just the beginning’ and he hoped to see a few more promotions in the coming years.

In total, 8,719 fans crowded into the stalls at Bury today – a huge number for the ninth tier of English football. Fans’ commitment have kept the club alive. And it’s clear there’s already a next generation of Bury loyals are also well on the way.

It was three-year-old Charlie’s first football game with dad, Andy, 33. “It’s always been my dream to bring my own little boy to a Bury football match, and here we are!”

And Hannah, 24, attended the final with four generations of her family and, ‘honorarily’ her out-of-town boyfriend. Hannah was ‘born into’ the Bury FC loyalty. “Dad had me in Shakers’ stompers before I could walk,” she said.

And even Shakers’ veterans were out in force today. Roger Lightbown, 79, has been watching Bury games since 1952. His son and carer Graham, 55, ‘makes it a priority that he never misses a game’ even after all these years.

Whether old or young, today’s game will be one the Bury FC fans won’t be forgetting in a hurry.