Summary

  • Bury expelled from English Football League

  • Late bids to save 134-year-old club fail

  • Bolton survive but have 14 days to find a buyer

  • League One reduced to 23 clubs for 2019-20; only three teams to be relegated

Live Reporting

Denise Evans

  1. Goodbye

    We're going to leave the Bury & Bolton reaction here for now.

    It's been a testing time for everyone involved with both clubs and the situation has clearly affected the wider football community, judging by your hundreds of tweets and texts coming in this morning.

    It's the end for Bury, for now, but there is still hope among supporters, while Bolton have been handed another lifeline.

    Follow the BBC Sport football section of website for latest news on both of these ever-developing stories.

    Thanks for joining us today.

    Bury FCGetty Images

  2. Get Involved

    #bbcfootball or text 81111 (UK only)

    As a Man City/Plymouth Argyle fan I am devastated what has happened to bury Plymouth nearly went out of business few years ago how we got lucky I don't know bury one of the historic clubs gain promotion to league to be expelled months later it's just horrible...Bury FC have the best history in football ever if there's anyone out there who can help a football club like bury please just please buy bury the fans have passion and desire they want an owner who is the same please anyone help Bury FC

    Adam

    Dear Bury fans. I'm sorry this has happened to you and I know that today it feels raw. But not all is lost and you have hope and if the club survives or when you revive it if it doesn't (as a group of fans too stubborn and too in love to let it go, I know you will), then you will rise again and believe me, you are in for a fun decade or so in the non league. Non League football is a genuine family and we will welcome you with open arms, and then celebrate with you when you are back where you belong, however long it takes. We look forward to being with you on the ride!

    Tom, Margate

  3. Lifeline for Bolton

    This announcement is a change from what the Bolton administrators said on Tuesday.

    They said the 145-year-old club was not in a position to carry on trading and "the process of closing down" could start on Wednesday.

    That would lead to its liquidation and the loss of over 150 jobs.

    But that process has now been put on hold for the time-being.

    The EFL said that if Bolton, one of the founder members of the Football League in 1888, cannot complete the sale or provide credible plans to continue, they will be served with a 14-day notice for their expulsion from the league. That remains in place.

    Bolton StadiumGetty Images

  4. Plans to liquidate Bolton Wanderers on hold
    Breaking

    The club has confirmed that 'any plans that may have been made for the immediate closure of the club have been put on hold' by the administrator.

  5. Get Involved

    #bbcfootball or text 81111 (UK only)

    Would just like to say how sorry I am for Bury FC. As a fan of Spurs for over 50 years I can't begin to imagine the heartbreak for all the club's fans. Doesn't matter how big or small or what divisional status that club is, I really feel for you all & hope you can rise again in the future.

    Stephen

    Absolutely gutted for Bury. The EFL should hang their heads in shame, allowing Dale to take over the club in the first place. Brighton fans know full well about asset-stripping owners (Archer) - desperately hope Bury can come back and do an AFC Wimbledon.

    Anon

  6. Morning recap

    If you're just joining us, here's what you've missed this morning.

    • Bury FC have been expelled from the EFL
    • Bolton Wanderers have survived for now but still face expulsion
    • PFA issues statement
    • C&N Sporting Risk on why the deal to buy the club fell through

  7. Get Involved

    #bbcfootball or text 81111 (UK only)

    Bury fan for 53 years and devastated. The club has been destroyed by Day and Dale's malignant ownership and the EFL's negligent governance. Also, it's time supporters of EFL clubs stopped subsidising the PL via TV subscriptions, in return for a few crumbs.

    Bury fan

    Bury's plight has been brought on through years of spending money that wasn't there. There fans are part of the problem. They have stuck their head in the sand and celebrated promotion without paying players and having players who they couldn't afford and cheated promotion. EFL have done what they had to do to protect the game. Good riddance to a team that cheated promotion.

    Dave, Wirral

  8. Strong stuff from David Sharpe

    Former Wigan Athletic chairman David Sharpe has tweeted about the situation down the road at Bury FC.

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  9. How the Shakers went from promotion to expulsion in four months

    BBC Sport's Jay Freeman has taken an in-depth look into how Bury have fallen into such a sorry situation.

    'Four months after celebrating promotion to League One, Bury now find themselves without a league altogether,' the story begins.

    Sadly, we all know how it ends.

    Read the bits in-between here.

    Bury fansGetty Images

  10. Get Involved

    #bbcfootball or text 81111 (UK only)

    Such a shame to see a proper club like Bury have this happen to them, loyal fans who could have supported other more successful local clubs such as Manchester City deserve a shout out especially. I was really looking forward to coming to both Bury and Bolton this season, I cannot begin to imagine how both clubs fans are feeling this morning.

    Ross, Sunderland

    Darlington fan here. Don't despair Bury fans, non league football is actually a lot more enjoyable than you think. Plenty of fresh talent down here, many go on to play for big clubs. Plus it's amazing what a few promotions on the bounce can do for club morale, it doesn't matter what league you're in!

    Matt

    As a Colchester Fan, we got to experience one of our best days in years last night, we created an upset, and that's the beauty of football that results like that can occur, for Bury, not only have they lost that chance, but they've lost their voice, and that speaks volumes. Despite their united community and their inarguable passion, nobody could save them, football is an indicative sport in England, and I'm disappointed that it comes down to this, I don't know who to blame but I know there needs to be justice for Bury, let's not have a repeat in two weeks with Bolton

    Ben M

  11. Listen to this

    BBC Radio Manchester

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  12. Get Involved

    #bbcfootball or text 81111 (UK only)

    James Waller: Seeing all the “it’s a business” comments about Bury really shows the shift in football and attitudes around it. You see more fans discussing the economics of the club than the football. We’re losing sentimentality. I don’t want to support a business.

    David: I feel that bad for @buryfcofficial and fans, I invite you all to support @officiallydale. I'm sure the Dale fans will welcome you.

    Uzy: All these big clubs about and not one helping. I believe that @OfficialBWFC should be bought and used to bring through youth players from other clubs and these clubs chip in a cheeky million each every season to sustain & grow players

  13. 'I believe in the people of Bury'

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  14. FA statement - confirmation of no FA Cup for Bury

    This is without doubt a sad day for Bury FC, their supporters and the local community. We appreciate how hard this decision has been for all parties involved.

    Following on from their expulsion from the English Football League, Bury FC will no longer be able to participate in the Emirates FA Cup for the 2019/20 season. We are therefore now consulting with our stakeholders regarding the first round proper following their exit from the league.

    If the club re-forms we look forward to them applying to make an application to The Football Association to re-join league competition further down the English football pyramid from the 2020/21 season.

    FA Cupg

  15. This picture sums up the pure frustration, upset and anger felt by Bury fans over the last 24 hours.

    Bury fan angerGetty Images

  16. Get Involved

    #bbcfootball or text 81111 (UK only)

    Mike Durham: I feel no shame admitting that I - a big burly 50 something bloke - have tears in my eyes reading the comments from Bury fans. But you'll be back! There's too much love for you not to...

    David Bresnahan: As a fan of Stockport County and seeing us suffer administration, three relegations, lose players that were becoming club legends and going from a FT Football Club to a PT Non-League club. I never thought I'd ever think we were lucky. A very sad day for football

  17. PFA statement

    It is with great sadness to hear that Bury have been expelled from the English Football League after a takeover bid from C&N Sporting Risk collapsed.

    We have been in regular communication with the players, the EFL and the club over the last eight months to try and protect our members and secure a long-term future for Bury FC.

    Unfortunately, despite our efforts to support the process, the club has been unable to fulfill its financial commitments or complete a possible take-over deal.

    This will be a desperately sad time for Bury’s players and staff.

    We will continue to support all our members who have been impacted by the current situation, including former players, the remaining players who are contracted at the club and also those who were hoping to sign contracts.

    Our thoughts in particular go out to the supporters, the town and the wider community who will be devastated by this news.

    Bury FC Gigg LaneReuters

  18. The background story on how Bury have ended up being expelled from the EFL has been updated.

    You can read it here

    Bury FCReuters

  19. Get Involved

    #bbcfootball or text 81111 (UK only)

    I do feel for the Bury staff and fans, they don't deserve this, but the fact is the club does! They have spent massively beyond their means for as long as I can remember and, as much as the EFL can be blamed, the club has to accept responsibility.

    Michael

    Bury and Bolton fans, as a Pompey lad I know how you guys have been feeling. To go from 2008 FA cup winners and watching European football at Fratton park within a couple of years seeing your club fall into unbelievable debt and being punished with point deductions and relegations, forced to sell players and plummet down the leagues. We are slowly climbing our way back and you both will too, no matter what league you may play in next season you can't take out the passion and love from the fans and you will come back a stronger club, and the rest of the country (bar your biggest rivals) will be following you too. No club should have to go through this. Play up Bury, Bury Play up! Play up Bolton, Bolton Play up!

    Tom, Portsmouth

  20. Get Involved

    #bbcfootball or text 81111 (UK only)

    Jack and proud: Bury,please set up a fund for football fans to donate money to bring your club back to life. I am a Swansea fan and will gladly donate money football is a community way of life let's save this club

    Peter Clarke: Really sad about Bury FC, would it not be possible to set up a Social Enterprise with the fans as owners?

    Skelly2525: It’s a sad day for football, all the ‘power people’ in the EFL and PL should take a look at this structure because it doesn’t work. Read the messages to see how many different fans said their club almost had the same thing happen. Keep fighting Bury and come back.