Shrewsbury Town and AFC Telford offer condolences as Bury expelled by EFL

Bury owner Steve Dale had been given until 5pm on Tuesday to come up with a plan for paying the club’s debts and funding them going forward or sell them to someone who could.

It had been hoped that C&N Sporting Risk would be the answer but the London-based firm pulled out of the deal 90 minutes before the deadline, citing concerns over the club’s confusing debt structure.

Today both Shrewsbury Town and AFC Telford expressed their sadness for the club and its supporters.

Shrewsbury Town tweeted: "Our thoughts are with all the fans and staff at @buryfcofficial. It’s a deeply sad day for a club with such proud history and a sad day for the football community as a whole. We hope to see you again soon."

AFC Telford - which was formed in 2004 after the original Telford United folded due to financial problems - said: "Having suffered once ourselves and becoming a reformed fan owned club, all the thoughts of everyone at @telfordutd are with the staff, players & supporters of @buryfcofficial at this sad time. You will bounce back. #FootballFamily"

Shortly after 11pm on Tuesday the EFL released a statement saying: “The EFL board met earlier this evening and, after a long and detailed discussion, determined that Bury FC’s membership of the English Football League be withdrawn after the deadline passed at 5pm today (Tuesday 27 August) without a successful resolution.”

Having already postponed Bury’s first five scheduled league games and kicked them out of the EFL Cup, the league had made it clear to Dale there would be no more added time after he was given an extension to the last deadline on Friday night.

League One will now proceed with 23 clubs for the remainder of the season and only three clubs will be relegated in order to bring the division back to 24 teams next season. That plan, however, could change if Bolton are also expelled in the coming days.

Unacceptable

EFL executive chair Debbie Jevans said: “Today is undoubtedly one of the darkest days in the league’s recent history. The EFL has worked determinedly and tirelessly to avoid this outcome and it is with a heavy heart that this situation has been forced upon us.

“The EFL has to place the integrity of our competitions at the heart of every decision we make, and we simply cannot allow this unacceptable situation to continue or countenance the prospect of postponing further fixtures.

“I understand this will be a deeply upsetting and devastating time for Bury’s players, staff, supporters and the wider community. There is no doubt today’s news will be felt across the entire football family.

“No one wanted to be in this position but following repeated missed deadlines, the suspension of five league fixtures, in addition to not receiving the evidence we required in regard to financial commitments and a possible takeover not materialising; the EFL board has been forced to take the most difficult of decisions.”