Backers of a merger deal between two Bury football fan groups have urged their members to vote before the end of this month.

The Gigg Lane Steering Group, including the council, have urged fans to have their say on the proposed amalgamation between Bury FC Supporters’ Society (BFCSS) and Bury AFC’s Shaker’s Community Society.

Members of both societies have until Friday vote in a poll that will determine the future of Bury FC and unlock £450,000 of council funding.

The steering group said a strong turnout from members of both societies had been “encouraging” but says members must have the final say on the proposals.

The group, which also includes both societies, The Bury Football Club Company Limited, Bury FC Benefactors Limited, Football Supporters’ Association, GMCA and DLUCH said: “The voting process for the proposed amalgamation of Shakers Community Society and BFCSS is under way and the strong turnout in the vote from members of both societies is encouraging.

“As previously stated, the societies have worked together over the last year to establish the opportunity for Bury fans to make a decision on the future of professional football in the town.

“The hard work and determination of supporters has won the financial backing of private investors, the local authority and central government.

“It is now for the supporters themselves to make the final decision on the direction to be taken.

“There is still one week left for votes to be logged and we would urge anyone who has not voted to do so – this is a pivotal moment for the return of professional football in Bury and every vote counts.”

Both Bury FCSS and the Shaker’s Community Society have released their their own statements regarding the merger vote over the past few days.

On Friday, BFCSS published a blog post addressing speculation that failure to approve the amalgamation would lead to “an immense loss of funds” for Gigg Lane.

Addressing a statement by Bury AFC, it said rumours of a £2m loss of funding without a merger was speculation but stressed the process was "fluid" with "many unknowns".

It said that the £450,000 pledged by the council and additional £250,000 from Bury AFC is not an "insubstantial amount and worth serious consideration".

It added that in the event of a "no" vote, two Bury FC supporters have pledged a minimum of £150,000 to support the club.

A BFCSS spokesman said: “At this point in time, BFCSS believe that the only potential loss of funding on the vote outcome being against the merger, would be the £450,000 of Bury Council funding and the stated ring-fenced £250,000 which Bury AFC would bring with them.

"As per the agreement the COF funding will require, no matter what the vote, discussions, a business plan and information in which the remaining up to £270,000 could be used as match funding.

"This is not an insubstantial amount and worth serious consideration, but this also has all been published already and has been anticipated.”

Yesterday, Monday, Bury AFC published a statement on behalf of the Bury FC Benefactors Ltd, in which it reiterated its support for the merger and urged AFC members to vote "yes" to the proposals.

The statement said: “Anyone advocating that it is better for either society to remain separate is taking a huge gamble with the thing they profess to love, whether that is the existing Bury AFC team or Gigg Lane and the prospect of a new team.

"A gamble where the potential payoff is a feeling that they won an argument.

"Is it worth it? Aren’t we better than that?”