Bury FC owner vows to challenge ‘injustice’ after fixture blow

Bury FC chairman Steven Dale has launched a blistering attack on the English Football League (EFL), accusing it of “working against” the club.

On Monday night (July 29) the EFL postponed the Shakers’ opening fixture of the season this Saturday with MK Dons, claiming it had not received sufficient assurances from Bury over its finances for the coming season.

The club,  due back in the High Court today to face  a winding-up petition which has already been adjourned on three occasions, had claimed on July 18 that a rescue plan, a CVA, had been put in place to save it from a winding-up order.

But the EFL stated on Monday evening: “Following continued and comprehensive discussions with the ownership at Bury and other interested parties throughout Monday, the EFL board is not satisfied it has received the necessary evidence in regard to the outstanding information it requires that demonstrates how the club will be funded moving forwards.”

It added that if it was not provided with the relevant information by 12pm on Friday, August 2, it would consider suspending Bury’s away fixture at Accrington Stanley on Saturday, August 10.

Earlier last night (July 30) Steven Dale, who bought the club last December, disputed the EFL’s version of events.

He said: “We, as a club are saddened by recent events from a body who should have the best interest of clubs as it’s (sic) primary objective, clearly this is not the case.

“We, as a club had come through such adversity left from the previous owner and had started to make headway, the majority of rot had been cut out and the atmosphere at our training ground was fantastic, where a positive air had started to replace the despondency of the legacy. New players were arriving with an open mind and looking forward to the new season as were our fantastic new staff.

“We thought we were finalising with the EFL on any outstanding matters that needed addressing.

“Our CVA had been put forward and we had proven to the courts our ability to fund it and it was passed after five months of hard work, this closed off the past where creditors would be dealt with by the administrator, or so we thought.

“We submitted all that we were asked to by the EFL in the week prior to their ‘statement’ not as they stated, ‘not submitted’. So as far as we were concerned we were up to date and requested they lift the embargo so we could sign our players as we were running the risk of losing them.”

He said the club was then told the EFL “felt it prudent to amend our cash flow/business plan to show a £1.5m loss and they required additional funding”.

Mr Dale added: “As this was not factual we challenged their assertion as it was based, we were advised, on ‘sensitised feel’, not facts, we forwarded the facts to qualify our plan and dismiss their ‘sensitised feel’.”

Bury had also been in contact with Manchester-based players’ union, the Professional Footballers’ Association, which has been working with the club to resolve matters.

Mr Dale said: “I explained all the matters were covered, we had spoken and agreed in principle the player debt with the PFA and within the CVA, the CVA administrator sent a letter to the EFL confirming all was as it should be and he was happy creditors would be met within it. They had our business plan and to save the matter protracting we sent proof of funds to cover the fictional £1.5m loss.

“They still, however, felt it prudent to ignore the facts and send out the incendiary statement for no gain to anybody other than to discredit Bury FC and it’s (sic) board.

“The effect of that to our club has been unrest in players thinking there would be no club, loss of players, sponsors pulling out and five months of hard work being destroyed by them, then you have the subsequent media garbage inciting unrest and the trolls rearing their sorry heads again, all based on ill truths or at best negative spin, for what?”

Mr Dale went on: “They contacted us giving us more time, we asked what further could be given, our cash flow was solid, the mythical £1.5m requirement was covered should it ever be needed by an offer letter and they themselves advised ‘The EFL is aware the £1.5m may not be required it’s a worst-case scenario forecast. It may never need to be drawn down on’.

“And again they were advised the PFA were working with us on a settlement however this was covered by the CVA, so you would assume once again all good.”

He said: “Then the EFL meeting last night and subsequent statement, where they decided the POF (proof of finance) letter of £1.5m was not sufficient they wanted money in the bank to cover the requirement they themselves say is not needed, and let’s not forget, in addition to our positive cash flow, the EFL have withheld payments to the club of £569,493 including August payment, not the actions of a body there to help, but certainly if released would cover possible eventualities they deem prevalent.”

He added: “They also disputed our agreement with the PFA even though our lawyer and prominent third parties were privy to this. Still, they postpone the match and again for what gain?

“I am unsure at this juncture where Bury go when the body that should be there to help us works against us, however, I felt it important to set the record straight and hope the EFL try to be reasonable.”

He concluded: “We, as a club, promise you that we will challenge this injustice in whatever forum necessary.”