For those of us out of the loop, what's the current situation regarding Gigg Lane and Bury AFC?
I recall that at one point there were two different "phoenix" groups, but I can't remember the details of what the issues were regarding the stadium... is it still under the ownership of the rightly-despised Huddersfield native S**** D***?
Always liked away-days at Gigg, I have fond memories of the 4-4 draw and the 0-6 win a few years earlier... less fond memories of a 6-0 defeat around the same era! Also remember the 1-1 draw in which our new Belgian goalkeeper Nico Vaesen was sent off after ten minutes on his debut for handling the ball outside the area! My most recent trip was for a pre-season friendly during our brief Premier League adventure.
To put this simply and neutrally as I can (not easy!)
The group that currently "owns" Gigg, BFCSS and the "phoenix" club Bury AFC both have memberships and there is currently a vote r/e merging the two so AFC will play at Gigg should the vote be yes.
Some supporters of the former still cling on to Bury FC, it hasn't died/liquidated and still technically exists in the hands of Dale (*I think) and don't want a merger, they want the "real" club back @ Gigg. Some of the latter are worried about the cost and sustainability of returning to Gigg, a large stadium with very few opportunities for external income.
If the vote is "no" then AFC will continue to exist playing at Radcliffe, it is difficult to imagine how another BFC could restart at Gigg without the sheer number of AFC fans/members onboard. Not even sure what league FC would be allowed to join, unlikely to be one of the non-league steps 1 - 6.
With hindsight it would (to me) have been better if the club had been liquidated, ground sold to pay the debtors, therefore a brand new club could have been formed with the potential to have a new ground (small capacity at first) virtually in the town centre which would be part of a council leisure development.
But hey, we are where we are!