Seventeen months after they were expelled from the English Football League, there could be fresh hope of Bury FC making a return after businessman David Hilton said he hopeful that his deal can be finalised.
The Shakers have not played since 2019 and, since then, a phoenix club under the name Bury AFC, has been set up and joined the North West Counties League.
Hilton, who is based in Nottinghamshire and has a background in property, emerged as a potential saviour when a statement from non-league side Ilkeston Town, where he has been an investor, revealed stalled talks between himself and current owner Steve Dale.
Bury FC Could Be Nearing Takeover
Businessman David Hilton says he is close to a deal to buy Bury FC, which would include a transfer of debt and ownership of Gigg Lane.
He hopes to place an application with to the FA to begin next season in the National League or National League North. #BuryFC pic.twitter.com/Qwb9nrfEZr
— BBC RM Sport (@BBCRMsport) January 14, 2021
Who is David Hilton?
As reported in the Bury Times, Hilton is a businessman based in Nottinghamshire and has football involvement at Ilkeston Town, who play in the North Premier League Division One South East.
The club was formed in 2017 after Ilkeston FC was liquidated over debts of nearly £15,000.
Hilton’s work at Ilkeston has included helping the club develop their New Manor Ground, which is where the original team also played.
In a statement, the club assured their supporters that Hilton was going to continue to support the club and come through on promises despite the interest in acquiring Bury.
On social media, Hilton replied to one fan, saying: “The deal negotiated is for everything, club, stadium, company and everything else associated with it.
“The negotiations, however, were with different parties and it’s now with the lawyers to piece it all together.
“An official statement will be released when everything is finalised.”
If bought, Bury could go straight into the National League system – most likely into the National League North – which would likely mean only three teams are relegated from the National League in the season before their return.
Bury AFC Address Gigg Lane Speculation
Since the news around Hilton emerged, particularly after he mentioned that his deal involved acquiring Gigg Lane too, speculation began that Bury AFC would try to bid for the ground – despite this going against the rules and regulations that were set up following Bury’s expulsion from the EFL.
In a statement, Bury AFC said: “There has been speculation over the weekend regarding the potential purchase of Gigg Lane. The Shakers Community board would like to put the record straight and confirm that we have never made any bid to purchase Gigg Lane. Our rules would not permit such actions without a mandate to do so from our members.
“We all feel the pain and despair at what has happened to Bury FC caused by the decisions of previous owners.
“Fans have had their hopes for a rescue of the club raised and dashed innumerable times in the last two years. It is understandable that Bury fans raise questions when someone new comes along. The Shakers Community and Bury AFC board defend the right of supporters to respectfully air their views and we refute any speculation that social media criticism has been coordinated by Bury AFC.”
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