STEWART Day wants to see a capacity crowd roar Bury to victory after offering free entry to the club’s rearranged fixture at home to Southend United.

The Shakers chairman took the remarkable step after the original match was abandoned on Saturday due to a waterlogged pitch.

A decision to hand out vouchers to fans leaving the ground, assuring free entry to home supporters and half-price tickets to away fans, caused confusion and led to an emergency board meeting on Monday.

Directors eventually decided to open up the rescheduled game, which will be played on Tuesday, April 21, to anyone who wants to attend, making it free entry even to people that did not go to last Saturday’s game.

“I am hoping there will be a capacity," Day told BBC Radio Manchester:

“It would make a great atmosphere if we can get a full stadium. That would be fantastic and something that could inspire the lads and hopefully provide the difference in what will be an important game between two teams pushing for promotion.”

Bury remain fourth in the League Two table, four points ahead of fifth-placed Southend.

But the gap between the Shakers and the top three widened to seven points last Saturday after promotion rivals Wycombe Wanderers and Shrewsbury both won.

David Flitcroft’s side now face two important games over Easter – at Cambridge tomorrow and at home to Morecambe on Easter Monday.

They then have tough matches at Newport and Portsmouth, either side of a home game against Shrewsbury, before the rearranged Southend game.

But if Bury can keep a run going that has seen them pick up 21 points from a possible 24, the showdown with the Shrimpers could set up a thrilling finale to the season.

Day added: “If there are other supporters who wanted to come down there is no excuse now.

“A lot of people say football is too costly, well now they can watch a game for free that is almost certain to be an exciting one.”

The Bury chairman admitted his gesture to offer free entry will come at a cost, estimating the club stands to lose around £9,000 due to the abandonment.

But he hopes his gamble will pay off, inspiring the club to promotion to League One and hopefully boosting attendances in the future.

“The club will lose money but we thought it was the farest way to accommodate all supporters,” he said.

“It is also a chance to tempt other people to come down and watch the team for the first time who may come back again to get behind the lads.”

Supporters that did attend the original fixture but are unable to take up the offer of free entry to the rearranged match will be able to claim a “flexi ticket” that guarantees them entry to another game, either this season or the next.