Bury played a pre-season friendly last night away at Radcliffe, winning 3-1. It might have been the ideal warm-up for the coming campaign, were it not for their ongoing problems off the field.
Their first game of the season has been suspended, that could bring a further points deduction, and the first team squad has been torn apart over the summer. Having players might be the least of their worries as the future is very uncertain.
Will there even be a Bury FC to compete in League One in ten days time?
Their match last night was by no means a big occasion, there were no first team players out and the teamsheet simply bore the names of a host of youngsters. They’ve been tweeting today how it was good to get minutes under their belt, a small consolation for young men as unclear about the next ten days as they are the next ten years.
Supporters reacted to the teamsheet with a dry, self-deprecating wit as well as outright fear, believing their side to be a laughing stock. Few fans are laughing at Bury though, not those who understand the bond between a club and the community.
No, most supporters of other clubs are feeling desperately sad that irresponsible owners and a lack of EFL intervention has left them exposed as they are right now.
https://twitter.com/burymeinexile/status/1156273424144183298
https://twitter.com/uglygame/status/1156274017520771072
https://twitter.com/DavePilejko/status/1156265580065955840
If it wasn’t for Bobby Copping on the bench I genuinely wouldn’t know which team is which.
— Peter Keighery (@PeterKeighery) July 30, 2019
Eddie Jones is going to be very busy
— Shakerite 🏴 (@shakerite66) July 30, 2019
I assume it's the right as the team sheet has the BV @NorthernPremLge logo so Bury must be away
— Andreas Lemonides🇨🇾🏴 (@AndaBossFTW) July 30, 2019
Honestly what have we become?
— Jamie Melia (@JamieMelia1) July 30, 2019
A laughing stock
— Shakerite 🏴 (@shakerite66) July 30, 2019
