Fans slam wrong club over partnership with 'rival'

Norwich City's academy has joined forces with Bury Town Community FC - not Bury Town FC

A Suffolk football club which works closely with Ipswich Town has distanced itself from a team with a similar name after it received a backlash for partnering with Norwich City.

Bury Town Community FC has joined forces with the Norfolk club's academy to "create new opportunities for players, volunteers and coaches" in the two counties.

Currently, Norwich City's football development team runs classes with Uefa-qualified coaches for young footballers at Bury St Edmunds Leisure Centre.

However, fans mistook the partnership to be with the semi-professional team, Bury Town FC, before sending "negative social media posts and emails directly to the club".

'Separate club'

Some had branded the 'move' "ridiculous", "embarrassing", and "disgusting", while others vowed they would stop supporting the Isthmian League North Division club.

In an image shared alongside the announcement of the partnership between Bury Town Community FC and Norwich City, a group of men can be seen holding a blue and white Bury Town FC scarf.

Bosses at Bury Town FC have now clarified its position, reiterating to fans of the club that it is not working with Ipswich Town's fiercest rivals.

In a statement it said: "Bury Town FC is a separate club, run by a separate management committee. [We] do not have a partnership with Norwich City FC or any other professional club.

"We can say that Bury Town FC have a positive relationship with Ipswich Town FC, hosting regular events for the Ipswich Town Foundation at our Ram Meadow ground.

"We also have a player on loan from the Ipswich Town Academy and our manager continues to work closely with Ipswich Town and their academy staff."

Bury Town FC play home matches at Ram Meadow in Bury St Edmunds

The club added its directors were not aware of any partnerships between the Norwich City academy and Bury Town Community FC until the announcement was made.

It also said its only "formal partnership" is with Culford School and West Suffolk College for the delivery of the club's academy.

Prior to the backlash, Ben Oxley, chairman of Bury Town Community FC, said he was "delighted" with the partnership with Norwich.

He added: "There's no doubt this partnership will strengthen the community club, increase our reach to a wider audience and create new opportunities.

"As a registered charity, we rely heavily on volunteers and the goodwill of our sponsors so access to this kind of support will help us greatly."

Jake Swan, Norwich City head of regional academy recruitment, described the collaboration as "a big step forwards".

"Bury Town Community FC is an exciting place with some very dedicated staff and we look forward to working together," he said.

Bury Town Community FC was contacted for comment.