The CEO and Club Secretary of Bury Football Club, Niel Sears, has officially resigned just hours after two other key board members also stepped down.
Fan-owned Bury FC has weathered a difficult few years after slipping into administration back in 2020, splintering into two teams and eventually reforming with its phoenix club in July 2023.
A return to Gigg Lane, a significant investment in the women’s team and a new financial strategy looked to signal the start of a new chapter for the Greater Manchester side, but after a backlash in response to an impending ‘review’ of their volunteering practices, it looks like drama is returning.
Sharing merely two sentences on Friday evening, a statement on the Bury FC website simply read: “We can confirm the resignation of CEO & Club Secretary, Neil Sears. Further comment will be released in due course.
⚪️🔵 Club Statement
We can confirm the resignation of CEO & Club Secretary, Neil Sears.
As alluded to in the update, there is little detail at this time and with the weekend’s football to tend with first, the club are unlikely to address the situation until sometime next week.
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Having previously worked with Burnley FC and retrained to specialise in sports business and law, Sears was appointed CEO and club sec back in February after having been deemed to have successfully fulfilled the position on a part-time basis since October last year.
A seemingly popular appointment, the only issue of note between Sear and the club was an incident this past summer after he called out some “absolutely disgraceful behaviour from a certain fraction of Bury fans” during a visit to Blackpool this past summer.
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However, with the Football Supporters’ Society of Bury (FSSB) chair Phil Young and the club’s football chair Marcel De Matas – both fellow board members and important figures around the club – having also stepped down earlier this week, there looks to have been a clear walkout among the higher-ups.
While there are almost certainly multiple vying factors, the recent review of the volunteer framework and, more specifically, the dismissal of loyal club servant John Rafferty has no doubt been influential.
Very saddened to hear my friend John Rafferty has been relieved of his duties at our club. John epitomised the "club man" ethos. Ensuring fans without Internet access could get their STs, helping start the veterans hub, and networking with @BuryFCWorldwide gutted & angry 😡 https://t.co/p9HNxwh2rZ
On Wednesday, 6 November, Rafferty was told his services were no longer required and despite assurance that he was welcome to come back to Gigg Lane once he has taken time to look over their latest offer, he has been relieved of his current duties after a number of years.
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Contextualising the series of events, Bury explained in another lengthy statement this week: “We have been in regular contact with John since Wednesday, both offering apologies for the upset caused and working on the solution to move forward.
“A conversation was had between a member of the board and CEO Neil Sears regarding John’s role. This led to confusion, and miscommunication and caused unnecessary stress on a volunteer. We greatly regret this action.”
Unsurprisingly, there has been an outpouring of support for Rafferty and frustration towards the NWCL (North West Counties League) team online.
“John Rafferty, one of the nicest people you could wish to meet and one of the biggest Bury fans you can speak to removed with no justification as to why. What possible reason can be given?” one person wrote. Another person added: “Whoever is behind this decision should hold their heads in shame – I have never seen a man put so much effort into a [football] club. Absolutely shocking.”
Only time will tell as to why these numerous and clearly seismic decisions have been made and we won’t be surprised if more don’t join the exodus.
Featured Images — Mylo Kaye (via Pexels)/Bury FC (vis YouTube screenshot)
Sport
Greater Manchester’s ‘Stroll for Salford’ walking event returns for its second year in 2026
Danny Jones
Following its successful debut last year, Greater Manchester’s now much-loved Stroll for Salford (SfS) event is back for 2026 this autumn.
We’d like to think everyone from around here is filled with hometown pride, but you ask anyone from Salford, and they’ll quickly remind you that this place is its own city, and that it quite rightly deserves celebrating all of its own.
And that’s exactly what the SfS is all about: not just toasting it as the region’s so-called ‘second city’, but as the culturally abundant place that it is and has been for more than 100 years.
Yes, with this sophomore edition following on from the borough celebrating its official Centenary, what better time to hail all things Salfordian.
Stroll for Salford is back🚶🧡
We are delighted to announce the return of the popular fundraising walk back for its second edition on Saturday 19th September as part of Salford's Centenary Year celebrations!
— Salford City FC Foundation (@SalfordCity_FDN) July 30, 2026
Set up by Salford City FC and the partnered charity arm, Foundation 92, the inaugural walk raised more than £3,000 for charity with its maiden event.
Thousands got behind the cause, be it through volunteering and/or donating, as well as talking on the walking route itself back in October.
It’s actually happening a little earlier this time, with the second Stroll for Salford scheduled for Saturday, 19 September.
Kicking off from 10am, those taking part will be setting out on foot for a six-mile journey across the city, starting at the likes of the Civic Centre in Swinton, before passing through other key towns and finishing, of course, at Salford’s AIG Stadium on Moor Lane in Kersal.
The local League Two side continues to do plenty of important work in and around the community – this is just one of many recent, well-received initiatives.
As mentioned earlier, those getting involved will not only receive a special Salford t-shirt following the event alongside a finisher’s medal, but even a complimentary ticket to go and see ‘The Ammies’ in action at their home ground this season.
Not a bad deal at all.
For anyone uninitiated interested in coming along the journey, the route will also pass several key landmarks and a real sense of local history – all while doing your bit for a good cause.
You can help raise important funds for the local area and sign up for the Stroll for Salford 2026 HERE.
Elsewhere in Greater Manchester, another wholesome all-ages event is fast-approaching this August, too; keep on reading to find out all about it…
Manchester City are offering North West kids the chance to win a team training session
Danny Jones
Manchester City are offering kids across the North West a chance to win a free team training session as part of their latest grassroots competition.
Teaming up with their official sleep partners and well-known British mattress brand, Silentnight, Man City are once again giving children throughout the region the opportunity to train at the Etihad Campus itself.
Better still, all the kids have to do is what they already live and breathe to do: play footy.
Alongside the competition, they’re dishing out free advice for parents to help ensure their children get the proper rest and recovery they need through a good night’s sleep.
Continuing to promote how a good sleep in a proper bed can do wonders when it comes not only to fitness and staying active but overall health, this is part of their wider ‘Dream Big’ campaign.
Put in the simplest terms, as part of this initiative, young football teams across the 10 boroughs of Greater Manchester and beyond are able to be nominated by coaches, parents, guardians or club representatives for this special scheme.
The exclusive coaching session, for whoever is fortunate enough to earn it, will be delivered directly by a professional MCFC coach at The City Football Academy.
Even better still, the winning team will also receive free Man City kits, not to mention Silentnight Healthy Growth Kids mattresses.
Speaking ahead of the event, Manchester City’s Vice President of Partnerships, Marketing and Operations, Mark Lambert, said in a statement: “Our partnership with Silentnight is built on a shared commitment to supporting healthier, more active lives, so it’s great to come together on Dream Big.
“Grassroots football plays a vital role in inspiring young players and bringing communities together, and we’re looking forward to welcoming the winning team to the City Football Academy for what we hope will be a memorable experience.”
It’s not the only big thing they’re doing to help promote grassroots football in the local area, either.
Kathryn Pinkham, sleep expert at Silentnight, went on to add: “When children are busy with school, training, matches and everything else that comes with family life, sleep can sometimes slip down the priority list.
“But for young footballers, getting enough good-quality rest can make such a difference – helping them recover after games, concentrate at school and enjoy their sport. The 10-Step Sleep Guide is designed to give families simple, practical tips they can actually use at home.”
Man City’s kids’ coaching sessions will take place on Wednesday, 19 August from 1-3pm, and applications are already live; the window closes at 11:59pm this coming Monday (3 Aug).
To find out more and put a team name forward – made up of players aged seven and over, with no more than a two-year age gap between the youngest and oldest player – you can do so HERE.
Danny Jones -
9th November 2024 
