Tony INCENZO
talkSPORT RADIO’S NON-LEAGUE EXPERT
AN interesting story is currently unfolding in Lancashire where, theoretically, there could be two Bury teams playing within the Non-League ranks next season.
This follows the sad demise of long established Football League members Bury FC in 2019. As we all know, a supporters’ driven phoenix club called Bury AFC rose from the ashes.
They are currently doing really well at the top of the North West Counties League First Division North whilst groundsharing three miles from their roots at Radcliffe. Four figure home crowds are the norm.
However, it emerged last month that a couple of other fans’ groups called Est 1885 and Forever Bury have completed a deal to buy back their traditional old stadium at Gigg Lane. They plan to commence playing under the original Bury FC name in time for the 2022-23 campaign.
So will the two Bury teams merge or will they go it alone? I understand that negotiations are ongoing with the sensible viewpoint that it will be beneficial to have one club representing the town.
This got me thinking about similar situations in Non-League football. Specifically, there are two Enfield teams and two from North-wich as well. So I decided to speak to those four clubs to discover how they compete locally for supporters.
In the Isthmian Premier, Enfield Town vice chairman Paul Millington said: “It is 21 years since our club was launched by supporters of Enfield FC following the sale of the old Southbury Road ground and unsuccessful attempts to keep the club in Enfield as an Isthmian outfit.
“Since then under fan ownership, ETFC have grown significantly. We have risen to Step 3 after beginning life in the Essex Senior League.
Challenge
“But whilst the roots of ETFC are formed from Enfield FC, we now very much have our own proud identity with a generation of supporters who have no connection to the original club.”
After dropping their 1893 suffix three years ago, Enfield FC are now members of the Essex Senior League and groundshare 25 miles from their roots at Bishop’s Stortford. Football League and Non-League legend Jamie Cureton is their player/ manager.
A board member said: “We are very proud of a 129-year history and also how we have acted over the past 20-plus years to keep our club afloat. It has been incredibly hard financially, mentally and physically on the board and supporters. Having to groundshare at different venues for this period has been a challenge but we soldiered on regardless.
“With new board members having joined us, the future looks very exciting and our aim now is to find a home of our own.”
In Cheshire, Northwich Victoria, of the North West Counties League Premier Division, play at nearby Witton Albion, while breakaway club 1874 Northwich are members of the Northern Premier League West and groundshare three miles out of town at Barnton.
1874 board member John Coats said: “From the turn of the century, Northwich Vics underwent a long period of financial uncertainty as they slipped from being established members of the Conference. The club sold their iconic Drill Field ground and moved to the new Victoria Stadium in the hope of paying off large debts.
Rewarding
“Understandably, this proved impractical for many disillusioned supporters.
Fearing that the club might be liquidated, the members of the Northwich Vics Supporters Trust voted almost unanimously in November 2012 to form their own club called 1874 Northwich, recognising the year in which the Vics were founded.
“Nowadays, all three local teams are striving for new supporters.”
Vics vice-chairman Ian Egerton added: “It has been an incredibly difficult few years for us since taking over as a fan-run football club. But equally extremely rewarding in view of our proud history.
“The town of Northwich struggles to support the three teams who have all suffered a decrease in attendances.
When Vics were in the Conference, they could command gates of 1,500. But now there are local attendances of 200-300 as we all compete for the same fanbase. I think some supporters have become disheartened and sit on the fence not knowing which team to follow.
“Sponsorship is also key. Again, we are all fighting for the same business opportunities. The reality for both Vics and 1874 is that we may have reached our peaks within the current climate.
“Will the two clubs ever merge back together? It may have already gone too far past this opportunity unless we all eat a little humble pie and look at the bigger picture. Only time will tell.”
So, whilst the football folk of Bury can learn from the scenarios at Enfield and Northwich, their outlook is certainly aided and abetted by the acquisition of the Gigg Lane stadium which now provides a solid platform for sustainability and success.
FOLLOW TONY ON TWITTER @TonyIncenzo
