DEAD AND BURYED
Bury EXPELLED from EFL after takeover collapse ends club’s 134-year history
BURY have been EXPELLED from the Football League after a takeover collapse ended the club's 134-year history.
The League One side had until 5pm on Tuesday to complete a deal with C&N Sporting Risk.
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But in devastating news for all those involved with the club and football fans as a whole, an agreement could not be reached.
Bury - also known as The Shakers - are the first team to drop out of the EFL since Maidstone's liquidation in 1992.
League One will now make up just 23 teams until the end of the season, and just three teams will be relegated.
BBC Radio Manchester's Mike Minay said: "When the news broke at Gigg Lane, fans instantly let out a huge cry - for help, of disbelief.
"Fans walked away in instant tears, some crouching down to the floor."
EFL executive chair Debbie Jevans said in a statement released at 11.05pm last night: "Today is undoubtedly one of the darkest days in the league's recent history.
"The EFL has worked determinedly and tirelessly to avoid this outcome and it is with a heavy heart that this situation has been forced upon us.
'DARKEST OF DAYS'
"The EFL has to place the integrity of our competitions at the heart of every decision we make, and we simply cannot allow this unacceptable situation to continue or countenance the prospect of postponing further fixtures.
"I understand this will be a deeply upsetting and devastating time for Bury’s players, staff, supporters and the wider community.
"There is no doubt today’s news will be felt across the entire football family.
"No one wanted to be in this position but following repeated missed deadlines, the suspension of five League fixtures, in addition to not receiving the evidence we required in regard to financial commitments and a possible takeover not materialising; the EFL Board has been forced to take the most difficult of decisions."
What Bury's EFL Exit Means For League 1 and League 2 Promotion And Relegation
BURY have been kicked out of the Football League after 125 years - and Bolton remain in danger of likewise.
League One is now down to 23 teams and that will affect promotion and relegations in two division.
An EFL statement read: "Having fully considered all available options, including a number of late expressions of interest provided to the EFL, the EFL Board has unanimously determined with enormous regret that Bury’s membership be withdrawn.
"The EFL Board had maintained that there could be no further suspensions to the fixture list and that
these ongoing concerns and the integrity of the competition were a significant factor in the decision.
"Recent events have highlighted how decisions taken at Bury FC over the last few seasons have caused
the Club and individuals close to it significant financial distress and there are a number of matters which, in our view, will require further investigation."
'DEEPLY UPSETTING'
Meanwhile, Bolton Wanderers, who also face being kicked out, have been granted a further 14 days to sort out a takeover with Football Ventures.
In a separate statement, the EFL suspended the Trotters' withdrawal notice. The club have been in administration since May.
Jevans added: "The reality of this action is that there are now 14 days to secure the club's long-term future."
Bury have been fighting financial problems for several years and were taken over by Steve Dale last December with the aim of saving them from going bust.
Dale bought the club for just £1 - but since then there have been a string of unpaid bills to companies while players and staff have also missed out on wages.
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Latest football news
Amid nerve-shredding financial uncertainty, Bury's first five games of the season were suspended.
The Shakers exit the game's third tier having not played a match all season.
Player Stephen Dawson said he was on the verge of losing his house amid the financial crisis.
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