Bury chairman in plea to fans to stay loyal

BURY chairman Brian Fenton has appealed to fans not to turn their back on the club in its hour of need.

Less than 1,400 supporters – the lowest home league gate since 1984 – saw Bury beat Stevenage 2-0 at Gigg Lane on Tuesday night, while fewer than 2,000 home fans attended the crunch relegation clash with Colchester at the weekend.

The poor attendances are part of a downward trend that has seen average gates fall by more than 1,000 from last season, compounding the club’s already precarious financial situation.

The supporters who did turn up on Saturday vented their anger at Kevin Blackwell, calling for the manager to be sacked after the 2-1 defeat left Bury rock bottom of League One.

Even though Tuesday’s win saw Bury jump two places in the table, Fenton says fans forums and message boards remain awash with calls for a revolt.

And he has urged Shakers’ followers not to let their frustrations damage the long-term future of the club.

“I have heard talk of a boycott of matches, or calls for people not to renew their season tickets,” said Fenton.

“And I just want to urge fans not to go down that road.

“The board have set a budget for up to the end of March and I can tell you that we are way short of where we need to be.

“Season ticket sales are so far down that we are facing a major problem. It is a very serious situation.”

Bury have already had to go to the PFA (Professional Footballers Association) for two loans this season to help cover players’ wages, which has left the club struggling under a transfer embargo.

As a result, Blackwell, who replaced caretaker manager Peter Shirtliff as Shakers boss at the end of September, has found it difficult to assemble and maintain a competitive squad.

And difficulties on the pitch have created a vicious cycle off it.

“I am sure that if Kevin had been here at the start of the season and had his own budget to spend things would have been different,” said Fenton.

“But this is not about me trying to protect Kevin – this is about the future of this club.

“In the past, Bury fans have rallied around this club in times of difficulty and that is what I am asking them to do again.

“They have every right to vent their frustrations at me, the board, the manager and the players – that’s totally understandable.

“But I am asking them not to vote with their feet as that could very well put the future of their club in jeopardy.

“And while the board are actively seeking new investment, we’d like fans to continue to support the club in as many ways as they can, through season tickets, bonds and coming to the four remaining home games.”

Bury travel to Bournemouth on Saturday before a home match with Crewe on Good Friday (Mar 29). They also entertain Oldham (Apr 13), Scunthorpe (Apr 16) and Yeovil (Apr 27) before the end of the season.

Comments(55)

shakencity says...
8:41am Thu 21 Mar 13

"Blackwell, who replaced caretaker manager Peter Shirtliff as Shakers boss at the end of September, has found it difficult to assemble and maintain a competitive squad".

Since he took over, how many players has KB brought in and used? We've not had a competitive squad because we've had a change in personnel every single week. Our squad has never been a settled one, with senior players being shoved out the door one way or the other and kids from other clubs coming in every other day.....he even plays them out of position too.
He even moaned the other week he couldn't bring a couple more in as we were under the embago, how many more players does he need to look at before he decides "i've cracked it?"
I bet we've used more players this season than any other club in the football league, yet he still wonders why we're still deep in trouble.

Lolz08 says...
9:19am Thu 21 Mar 13

Tinpot club, tinpot fans.

shakencity says...
9:44am Thu 21 Mar 13

Lolz,
Thanks for your comment, it will be duely noted but ignored.

ps. You don't have to put your age with your name you know, although we would have probably guess it by your comment.

Lolz08 says...
10:51am Thu 21 Mar 13

Well ignored.

blackwellout says...
1:22pm Thu 21 Mar 13

If the manager goes we come back. Simple

andyjamesmorris says...
2:02pm Thu 21 Mar 13

I seem to remember I was lambasted on here when Blackwell was appointed, ah well my self satisfied grin will suffice

buryfcfan says...
4:18pm Thu 21 Mar 13

do you think the fans who were there on Tuesday night like blackwell? well I certainly don't but we still went down to gigg lane to support our club and team. The only thing a boycott will achieve is closing the club down!

easylife44 says...
5:24pm Thu 21 Mar 13

Dear Mr. Fenton:

You state that the fans need to rally around the club, that is a fair statement. We love our club and the history that been Bury F.C. It is also understandable that you are concerned about the finances and the current state of the club.

As a business man myself, you put out a product and ask the public to get behind your product and purchase and re-purchase etc. When I look for investors, the Investor will always ask one thing "ROI", what is my ROI? (Return on investment). If the product is good, the vision is clear and the Management team strong, investors will invest!!

Use this as it applies to Bury F C Supporters. You are asking the Investors (Fans) to back your product. The fans (Investors) are stating we do not think the product is good (Make up of the team), The vision is not clear (we are in the bottom 4)-- because of the product and the Management team is wrong (KB).
From a business perspective, can you honesty ask the investors to continue to re-invest? Do you expect blind loyalty?
No one more than me wants the club to survive and do well, but good grief man get a grip on life.

Please stop this ongoing complaining about the "Embargo".. this is no excuse. Just a case of re-directing the obvious.

Your Investors are angry, most board of directors listen to their investors and make changes. What are you going to do?

As for outside investors, you have no chance at this point, NO ROI...
###

buryfcfan says...
5:53pm Thu 21 Mar 13

easylife44 wrote:
Dear Mr. Fenton:

You state that the fans need to rally around the club, that is a fair statement. We love our club and the history that been Bury F.C. It is also understandable that you are concerned about the finances and the current state of the club.

As a business man myself, you put out a product and ask the public to get behind your product and purchase and re-purchase etc. When I look for investors, the Investor will always ask one thing "ROI", what is my ROI? (Return on investment). If the product is good, the vision is clear and the Management team strong, investors will invest!!

Use this as it applies to Bury F C Supporters. You are asking the Investors (Fans) to back your product. The fans (Investors) are stating we do not think the product is good (Make up of the team), The vision is not clear (we are in the bottom 4)-- because of the product and the Management team is wrong (KB).
From a business perspective, can you honesty ask the investors to continue to re-invest? Do you expect blind loyalty?
No one more than me wants the club to survive and do well, but good grief man get a grip on life.

Please stop this ongoing complaining about the "Embargo".. this is no excuse. Just a case of re-directing the obvious.

Your Investors are angry, most board of directors listen to their investors and make changes. What are you going to do?

As for outside investors, you have no chance at this point, NO ROI...
###
do you not understand we cant afford to sack him! especially when we are getting 1300 people in the stands

forover50years says...
6:18pm Thu 21 Mar 13

Conversely, can we afford NOT to sack him. Who is surprised people are not attending and not renewing their season tickets with that person insulting us all?

You know, it`s all very well Brian Fenton saying that Blackwell hasn`t had the opportunity of assembling a competitive squad, and yet he sent out on loan two experienced defenders and to compound things, refused to recall the uninjured one when he was left with two inexperienced kids. Finally he was forced to play Efe, and we were competitive again.

sense2 says...
6:20pm Thu 21 Mar 13

Saying the club can't afford to sack him is rubbish.Lots of managers have been sacked by other clubs and have had to wait for any compensation until the clubs in question are in a position to pay it . No club at this level sacks a manager then pays up his contract instantly. The best solution could be to sack him and then go into administration as lots of other clubs do . We start life in league two on a minus points total but at least by this action any staff got rid of would receive no money.

buryfcfan says...
6:43pm Thu 21 Mar 13

sense2 wrote:
Saying the club can't afford to sack him is rubbish.Lots of managers have been sacked by other clubs and have had to wait for any compensation until the clubs in question are in a position to pay it . No club at this level sacks a manager then pays up his contract instantly. The best solution could be to sack him and then go into administration as lots of other clubs do . We start life in league two on a minus points total but at least by this action any staff got rid of would receive no money.
how can you say you want us to go into administration? also if we start we minus points we are at a high risk of going down again you are talking rubbish!

easylife44 says...
7:08pm Thu 21 Mar 13

So, Buryfcfan since you missed my whole point,
WHAT WOULD YOU DO?

Lolz08 says...
7:31pm Thu 21 Mar 13

Tinpot club, tinpot fans

Ozzie Shaker says...
6:40am Fri 22 Mar 13

As a Bury fan down under I can stay silent no more. I was home last yr and remember watching Bury v Leicester in the league cup, 4 - 2 defeat, however the performance for 60 mins of Sodje, Lowe n co was sensational, until the superior fitness prevailed. Seeing the results now and listening to the FANS comments, there is only one solution to keep this 'business' afloat. Mr Fenton n Mr Blackwell to resign with immediate affect!

sense2 says...
8:48am Fri 22 Mar 13

buryfcfan wrote:
sense2 wrote:
Saying the club can't afford to sack him is rubbish.Lots of managers have been sacked by other clubs and have had to wait for any compensation until the clubs in question are in a position to pay it . No club at this level sacks a manager then pays up his contract instantly. The best solution could be to sack him and then go into administration as lots of other clubs do . We start life in league two on a minus points total but at least by this action any staff got rid of would receive no money.
how can you say you want us to go into administration? also if we start we minus points we are at a high risk of going down again you are talking rubbish!
The club is going nowhere most football fans in the town support other teams so unless there is a dramatic change they will only be able to function a a non league club in a few years time. Sacking the manager now and starting from scratch may give them a chance . Administration is not a death sentence but may be the only way to keep this club in the league.

forward thinker says...
10:13am Fri 22 Mar 13

Is there still such a thing as a "vote of no confidence"? Let us hope so.

nomoresurfin says...
10:54am Fri 22 Mar 13

Sack Blackwell and then resign yourself, before you can appoint another clown Mr Fenton and i think that a fair percentage of the missing supporters will return.No way am I renewing my season ticket while you're still in charge because there's no guarantee you won't waste the money on more fat wage thieves like Healy.

forover50years says...
12:32pm Fri 22 Mar 13

Well, for once I totally disagree with nomoresurfin. Everyone makes mistakes. We all agree it was a mistake to appoint Mr Blackwell, but what`s the point of Bran Fenton going? There`s hardly a queue to take his place. The point is not that Brian Fenton made a mistake in appointing the manager - it`s that he`s making a mistake in not removing him.
As for Healy - well, if I were managing a club and had a proven goalscorer like Healy I would play to his strengths, rather than hoofing high balls to him. Balls to his feet in or near the box, and he`d score goals. Remember Crag Madden? He didn`t run around like a headless chicken expected to chase every ball. He didn`t have have high balls hoofed at him - Steve Johnson dealt with those. Craig hung round the box - the ball came near him - goal!

nomoresurfin says...
1:10pm Fri 22 Mar 13

Sorry forover50years,Fento
n is clueless and has put the future of our club in jeopardy with his gormless stewardship.If he left, capable people like Ian Harrop and Mark Catlin might just be persuaded to return to the board,that's not going to happen while the hapless Brian hangs round like a bad smell.As for Healy,it was the board who insisted on signing the shyster and he has proceeded to take the mickey out of our cash strapped club ever sinc.For a salary of over £70k you would think he could be persuaded to break sweat at least once in the season, but time is running out and he's never showed the slightest inclination to put any effort in.To compare one of the club's most prolific goalscorers,Craig Madden, with this conman who has scored a grand total of 8 league goals in the past five seasons is not one of your more considered judgements.Healy was touted round by his agent to virtually every league club after walking out on Newco Rangers,nobody else would touch him with a bargepole but our board of directors showed their stupidity and ignorance in offering him a contract.In January a loan deal was agreed with an Irish league club but he preferred to loaf around at Gigg taking our money for doing nothing rather than go and play football.Without a doubt Healy is the worst signing in the history of our club worse even than the dreadful Darren Bullock.

easylife44 says...
5:44pm Fri 22 Mar 13

And to add what has been said about Healy, look at the players who have come in at either reduced wages, or non wages, and at least do break a sweat.
Healy has no shame, no sense of teamwork nor any scruples....sounds like someone else we all know!

Eileenshakers says...
6:46pm Fri 22 Mar 13

Lolz08 wrote:
Tinpot club, tinpot fans
Go and support your own club Loiz08 instead of rubbishing ours.

We aint frankly that bothered what you think of our club or our supporters.

See you next season down at Fail's Spotland.

As for this article well i'm quite astonished how many So called Bury fc fans have even bothered to comment on this article.

1300 attendence is disappointing i agree.However if the product on the pitch is dire then what can the chairman of our club expect?.

I still say vote with your feet and boycott all home games until T'old Kevin is given his overdue P45.

He just thinks the poor long suffering Bury fc supporter must put up and stomach this attrocious style of football and the predictable negative results it will yield.

Your calls will ultimately fall on deaf ears Fenton, until you have removed KB.

I want to see some fight from the players representing my home town club not surrender to the inevitable relegation that's all we ask as supporters.

Yes they won on tuesday but how long did it take to score the first goal 84 minutes?.

Lolz08 says...
8:23pm Fri 22 Mar 13

"We aint frankly bothered what you think of our club or our supporters"

Your little dummy spit suggests you are.

Tinpot club, tinpot fans.

your having a laugh111 says...
11:04pm Fri 22 Mar 13

I didn't think villages had 1000 people, 5 0 tomorrow you must be bad your even worse than poopy

Eileenshakers says...
11:52am Sat 23 Mar 13

Lolz08 your comments have nothing to do with football.You just want to cause mischief on this site.

Grow up and put those toys back in your pram before mommy suspends your pocket money little man.

"Your having a laugh", i'm presuming you are little man in disguise under a new name.

Go and troll somewhere else and support your own tin pot team in the conference where your support belongs.

(OH AND YOU TWO GET A ROOM) oh silly me i forgot you are one in the same person ha ha.

Lolz08 says...
12:29pm Sat 23 Mar 13

Come on Eileen. What does one in the same person mean?

Tinpot club, tinpot, illiterate fans.

Eileenshakers says...
1:15pm Sat 23 Mar 13

You're the TINPOT CHARLIE on here.
One in the same means "SAME THING or person".

I'm presuming your IQ matches your shoe size. Lmfao at you ha ha.

Scunthorpe Telegraph site is missing one it's users.

In order to be classed as illiterate as you put it one has to be unable to write or spell (put that in your pipe and smoke it WORZEL).

Oh i'll bet you won't let us know you support?, you are too affraid we will tear strips of them and you (COUNTRY BUMPKIN)

Eileenshakers says...
1:33pm Sat 23 Mar 13

"C'MON LET US ALL KNOW WHO YOU SUPPORT,WE ACHE TO LAUGH AT YOUR TEAM. NODDY.

Lolz08 says...
2:43pm Sat 23 Mar 13

It's one and the same.

"Scunthorpe Telegraph site is missing one it's users."

One OF it's users, Eileen.

"Affraid"

Should I go on?

Tinpot club, tinpot fans.

Eileenshakers says...
4:05pm Sat 23 Mar 13

Ok afraid has two f's.Yes spelling errors perhaps.This is because i write in haste and have rather large fingers for my keypad.

You are a first class prat who is picking fault with folk who are using this site.

I ask you again who do you support and what are you doing here?.

Once a troll always a troll now go back to kindergarten and ask mommy if you can play nicely with your friends.

Tinpot Charlie doesn't support anybody just his feet.

Iq 8 little man doesn't watch football matches as he's here making mischief.

By the way The Iron are still losing 2-1 at home to their bitter rivals Donny Rovers.

C'mon Donny Rovers and especially Rob Jones put "The Iron" to the sword this afternoon and shut this troll up.

Eileenshakers says...
4:09pm Sat 23 Mar 13

Make that 3-1 to Donny Rovers Brown has just scored hip hip hooray.

Tin pot Charlie won't be pleased.

andremesio says...
4:27pm Sat 23 Mar 13

BLACKWELL OUT

andremesio says...
4:27pm Sat 23 Mar 13

BLACKWELL OUT

Eileenshakers says...
4:50pm Sat 23 Mar 13

Yes black by name and dark in nature but he's not going to resign and the chairman loves him.

Lolz08 says...
6:00pm Sat 23 Mar 13

Eileenshakers wrote:
Ok afraid has two f's.Yes spelling errors perhaps.This is because i write in haste and have rather large fingers for my keypad.

You are a first class prat who is picking fault with folk who are using this site.

I ask you again who do you support and what are you doing here?.

Once a troll always a troll now go back to kindergarten and ask mommy if you can play nicely with your friends.

Tinpot Charlie doesn't support anybody just his feet.

Iq 8 little man doesn't watch football matches as he's here making mischief.

By the way The Iron are still losing 2-1 at home to their bitter rivals Donny Rovers.

C'mon Donny Rovers and especially Rob Jones put "The Iron" to the sword this afternoon and shut this troll up.
I support Barcelona.

nomoresurfin says...
6:11pm Sat 23 Mar 13

Lolz08,then unless you're from Catalunya you're a sad little glory hunting troll aren't you?

Lolz08 says...
6:20pm Sat 23 Mar 13

I am. Reus to be exact.

Tinpot cub, tinpot fans.

Eileenshakers says...
7:02pm Sat 23 Mar 13

Yes Tinpot Charlie is a sad little pathetic nonentity who is wanting to cause mischief like i said earlier.

Barcelona Glory hunter probably based in Hyde me thinks.

You're a long way from Catalonia

your having a laugh111 says...
8:03pm Sat 23 Mar 13

4 1 and were going up, it was like playing San Marino, EASY EASY EASY.

Lolz08 says...
9:58pm Sat 23 Mar 13

Eileenshakers wrote:
Yes Tinpot Charlie is a sad little pathetic nonentity who is wanting to cause mischief like i said earlier.

Barcelona Glory hunter probably based in Hyde me thinks.

You're a long way from Catalonia
'i' should be 'I' Eileen. Can't blame your fat fingers for that one.

Tinpot club, tinpot fans.

Eileenshakers says...
1:27pm Sun 24 Mar 13

Your personal insults have nothing to do with football related issues."yhal & Lolz (iq of 8)

You are 2 little simple trolls who just wants to annoy and disrepect other football fans.

What are you doing on this site?,why did you bother to even register here?.

Now take your simple inane chat somewhere else.Apart from myself nobody is reading or taking the slightest bit of interest in what you are saying.

YOUR HAVING A LAUGH i think you will find it's "YOU'RE HAVING A LAUGH".

I think you are just sore because your precious player ZUBAR got injured on loan whilst playing for us at Notts County.

Our average gates are down by half what they would be had we competing at the top of the division.

We are also competing with the Manchester giants & several other local clubs in and around Greater Manchester.

Unlike Barcelona & Bournemouth who have hardly any competition for supporters.

What have Bournemouth ever won,have they ever played in the top flight.

(The Cherries are a little Tin pot club receiving investment from a wealthy investor with average gates of 5000 like Posh.)

The manager of our club should have gone to Barcelona or Bournemouth as a chief scout that's all he is worthy of doing.

Oh glory hunter Barca fan my favourite European team is Real Madrid let's hope Ronny putts one over on Messi Fc.

Well he's your only real world class player isn't he?.

Eddie Howe better get promotion with BFC or in today's harsh climate he will be gone at the end of the season.

Lolz08 says...
2:24pm Sun 24 Mar 13

"What have Bournemouth ever won,have they ever played in the top flight."

It's only taken a few days, but it isn't long until a fan of the tinpot club starts using history in their argument. Enjoy reminiscing about your history as your second administration period for overspending looms large.

Tinpot club, tinpot fans.

Lolz08 says...
3:14pm Sun 24 Mar 13

The thing is, Eileen me old fruit, is that Bury fans are the first to stick the boot into other clubs when they are suffering bad periods. Think of it as karma and swallow your medicine with grace. I'll just enjoy wallowing in your club's misery from afar.

Tinpot club, tinpot fans.

shakencity says...
10:02am Mon 25 Mar 13

Eileen,
Why are you bothering? Just ignore them.

Eileenshakers says...
10:41am Mon 25 Mar 13

These ignorant nonenentities have an axe to grind with our club.I want to know why.

In the good old days when Ak was Scunny's manager i was giving their fans fearful stick in the same way.

I was rubbishing their club and their supporters and really enjoyed it.

I think we will find that these two characters are from THE SCUNTHORPE TELEGRAPH site.

They can ignore it but little clues are starting to emerge and i've now realised who these imposters are.

Unfortunately the administrators are not as harsh at banning people on this site when they don't play nice and keep to the rules.

BARCELONA is a tin pot City with a hollow cathedral and a set of very thick supporters insulated by their own lack of glory in European competition.

Real Madrid rule the roost there.
Keep sinking in to your own brown stuff Mister Barca fan.

YOUR HAVING A LAUGH will be supporting CREWE & LEYTON ORIENT .

Both of these two clown are tin pot charlies

Lisasmit says...
12:13pm Mon 25 Mar 13

Eileen, I believe you need to know quite a bit more about Spain and its socio-political history before you start rubbishing Barcelona and its people.
Do you know why Royal Madrid is the King club in Spain? Check it out.... Check out the history...

Lolz08 says...
12:17pm Mon 25 Mar 13

Are you rocking in a chair as you type, Eileen, you seem mad?

Tinpot club, tinpot fans

Eileenshakers says...
3:45pm Mon 25 Mar 13

Who cares t'old lad it's pension day for you and your buddy on Thursday.

With a nice cup of tea in your favourite FRIENDS MEETING PLACE for half priced FISH & CHIPS and some delicious mushy peas.

Keep taking those funny coloured sweets my friends.I wonder if Lolz08 even knows what an iq is
.
Might need to phone mensa.
Barcelona is a tourist dominated small little back yard of a city with no consequence.

Wouldn't waste my time on visiting it besides the locals might check on your passport when you are at the catalan border.

Tin pot Charlie lives in a tin pot little world (it's called his bubble).

F.A.O.LISASMIT (IT'S REAL MADRID NOT ROYAL MADRID) HAVE URGE TO WRITE NEED GLASSES AND ENGAGE BRAIN TO THINK.

Lolz08 says...
4:08pm Mon 25 Mar 13

You do know I'm not really from Barcelona don't you Eileen?

It was funny watching you rant about it though, you're an odd one.

Tinpot club, tinpot fans.

Lisasmit says...
5:48pm Mon 25 Mar 13

Eileen,
Like I said, check out the history of Real Madrid.
What do you think "Real" translates to by any chance? Could it mean "royal"? I was giving you a clue. Dear me!

So please, you engage your brain and undertake some research before you write about matters to which you have little or no understanding.

Lolz08 says...
6:23pm Mon 25 Mar 13

Oh dear, Eileen. Do you know what an iq is?

Tinpot club, tinpot fans

Brian Trousers says...
9:26pm Mon 25 Mar 13

Mr Fenton. Ignore the trollops on here. Take solace that you and others both in and out of the game who actually know What's What are well aware that Kevin Blackwell is the best (available) man for the job.

shakencity says...
8:51am Tue 26 Mar 13

Football is a results business though Brian and Mr Blackwell simple isn't getting them (defeats apart). The only thing I blame Mr Fenton for is the ridiculous budget he set at the beginning of the season, this has hurt us more than anything else.....as a bold figure for next season, I hope he looks at an average of nomore than 2400.

Anyway, are you saying we go into the League 2 campaign with him still in charge then, you know, changing players every week, changing the starting line-up every game, continually playing loanees who are utter garbage, playing with 1 forward when we need to win, moaning and reminding us after another error littered defeat that our players are only kids in a mans game...yet he's the one who brought them in, etc, etc, etc?

Believe it or not, I was actually pleased with his appointment, but the reasons I stated above have completely changed my mind. In my opinion we've actually gone backwards since he took over and it's been his own doing, this just simply cannot be allowed to continue next season.

Eileenshakers says...
1:30pm Tue 26 Mar 13

Lisasmit wrote:
Eileen,
Like I said, check out the history of Real Madrid.
What do you think "Real" translates to by any chance? Could it mean "royal"? I was giving you a clue. Dear me!

So please, you engage your brain and undertake some research before you write about matters to which you have little or no understanding.
Yeah i pretty much worked that one out Lolz08 (08 IQ).You're plain and simply a glory hunter living in Greater Manchester.

Lisa am not in the slightest bit interested in the history of Madrid or anything Spanish for that matter.

Just enjoyed watching Real Madrid Humble the once mighty Barca especially on their own patch at The Nou Camp.

"TIN POT COMMENTS FROM TINPOT CHARLIES."

Lolz08 says...
4:40pm Tue 26 Mar 13

"Lisa am not"

That should be 'I am', Eileen.

What's your iq?

click2find

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