Bury FC have been expelled from the Football League following the collapse of a takeover deal, the English Football League has confirmed.

Earlier in the day on Tuesday, C&N Sporting Risk pulled out of a deal to take over the cash-strapped League One side, which led to a 5pm deadline passing without new ownership.

With current owner Steve Dale unable to secure a buyer, the EFL announced that the "EFL Board has unanimously determined with enormous regret that Bury’s membership be withdrawn."

Bury FC will depart the EFL after 134 years of continuous membership.

“Today is undoubtedly one of the darkest days in the League’s recent history," EFL executive chair Debbie Jevans said in a statement.

"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.

“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.”

Bury had seen all of their competitive fixtures postponed since winning promotion from League Two last season, with players and staff seeing their wages paid late.

With Bury's expulsion, League One will continue with 23 teams for the rest of the season and have three, rather than four teams relegated to ensure the league has its normal 24 teams for the 2020-21 season.

Meanwhile another League One side, Bolton Wanderers, are set to experience a similar fate as Bury should they not solve their financial crisis in the next 14 days.

“Despite repeated assurances, we are extremely disappointed that we are still not in a position to reach a successful resolution with the sale of Bolton Wanderers and have therefore taken the decision to lift the suspension on the notice of withdrawal," Jevans said. "I again urge all parties to finalise the proposed takeover.

“The reality of this action is that there are now 14 days to secure the Club’s long-term future, and I sincerely hope we can find a way through these challenging circumstances for the benefit of all those who have an association with the Club.” </s> BOLTON have been given 14 days to complete a takeover or they will follow Bury being expelled from the Football League.

The Trotters failed to meet an EFL deadline to prove finances were in place to complete the League One season on Tuesday.

Now they have been served final notice of the withdrawal of their membership of the EFL or they will be thrown out of the competition.

The last chance comes after Bury failed to complete their proposed takeover and were expelled from the league after 134 years in existence.

Bolton now have until 11.59pm on September 12 to revive a takeover by the Football Ventures group from owner Ken Anderson or they too will be thrown out.

And the club's future is further in doubt with administrators now having to decide whether to begin the process of liquidating the business.

A warning sent out last week threatened the closure of Bolton would begin this morning if no deal was in place.

Little progress has been made despite urgent talks behind the scenes, so it remains unclear of the liquidation process will begin today.

What Does Bury And Potential Bolton expulsion Mean to EFL Promotion And Relegation? BOLTON have 14 days to complete a takeover or they will follow Bury being expelled from the EFL. The Shakers were thrown out of League One last night after their takeover collapsed - and the Trotters will follow suit unless Football Ventures or another group by complete the purchase from Ken Anderson. To see what that means to promotion and relegation in Leagues One and Two, CLICK HERE

An EFL statement said: "Despite further exchanges with the Administrators over the course of the Bank Holiday weekend, and right up until today’s deadline of 5pm, a resolution to ongoing impasse in negotiations regarding a completion of sale at Bolton Wanderers has not yet been found.

"The EFL Board has therefore taken the decision to lift the suspension on the notice of withdrawal, which was issued as per the EFL’s insolvency policy when the Club entered administration in May 2019.

"As per the League’s Articles of Association, this will now give the Club 14 days (11.59pm on 12 September, 2019) to meet all outstanding requirements of the League’s insolvency policy or its membership in the EFL will be withdrawn.

 "In respect of the situation at Bolton Wanderers, the administrators now have this period of time to successfully conclude a change of control with a preferred purchaser, or provide sufficient evidence that they are in a position to fund the Club for the remainder of the 2019/20 campaign."

EFL Executive Chair, Debbie Jevans CBE, said: “Despite repeated assurances, we are extremely disappointed that we are still not in a position to reach a successful resolution with the sale of Bolton Wanderers and have therefore taken the decision to lift the suspension on the notice of withdrawal.

"I again urge all parties to finalise the proposed takeover.

“The reality of this action is that there are now 14 days to secure the Club’s long-term future, and I sincerely hope we can find a way through these challenging circumstances for the benefit of all those who have an association with the Club.” </s> Bury fans have stepped up protests at Gigg Lane since last week

Bury have been expelled by the English Football League after a takeover bid from C&N Sporting Risk collapsed.

The League One club had been given until 17:00 BST on Tuesday to complete the deal, having been granted an extension to Friday's initial deadline.

Bury are the first team to drop out of the EFL since Maidstone's liquidation in 1992.

League One will comprise 23 clubs for the rest of the season, with only three teams to be relegated.

"When the news broke at Gigg Lane, fans instantly let out a huge cry - for help, of disbelief," said BBC Radio Manchester's Mike Minay.

"Fans walked away in instant tears, some crouching down to the floor."

EFL executive chair Debbie Jevans said it was "one of the darkest days" in the league's history, and added: "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."

Bolton Wanderers, also of League One, have been given 14 days to avoid being expelled themselves, with their prospective takeover by Football Ventures (Whites) Limited still yet to go through.

In a statement on Monday, the club's administrators warned they were on the brink of liquidation, saying if they were unable to resurrect the move the club was "not in a position to carry on trading".

However they said on Tuesday they would "continue to work through the night" to complete a deal, adding there would be another update "as soon as possible".

'No-one wanted to be in this position'

The EFL had suspended each of Bury's first six fixtures this season, requesting evidence the Shakers could pay off creditors and had the funding to make it through the campaign.

In a statement at 23:05 BST on Tuesday, the league said it decided "after a long and detailed discussion" to withdraw Bury's EFL membership "with enormous regret".

"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," Jevans said.

Bury were initially given until 23:59 BST on Friday to either provide the required information or find a buyer to take them over.

With the third-tier side effectively an hour from being thrown out of the EFL, owner Steve Dale told BBC Radio Manchester he had sold the club and they were set to survive.

That news subsequently secured them an extension until Tuesday to complete the deal, but C&N Sporting Risk quickly expressed concern it was still not enough time.

An estimated 300 volunteers turned up at the club's Gigg Lane home on Tuesday to help get the ground ready for Saturday's scheduled game against Doncaster Rovers, but their efforts were in vain.

Reacting to news of the Shakers' expulsion, Bury North MP James Frith was critical of the EFL and claimed there was a lack of consistency in how it has treated the situations at Bury and Bolton - allowing Bolton to play games but not Bury, for example.

"I'm angry. My head is in my hands. I feel Bury is the victim… and those left to pick up the pieces are the town and the community. Yes we will rise again and keep the faith but we shouldn't be at this point," he told BBC Radio 5 Live.

"We have to make this a moment in time for lower league football. We are just the latest victim of this. I have had clubs speak to me who are a default payment on a mortgage away from this."

Bury supporters cleaned the stadium in the hope that their game on Saturday would go ahead

Founded in 1885 and first elected to the EFL nine years later, Bury were playing in what is now known as the Championship as recently as 1999 and have twice won the FA Cup.

No club has ever dropped out of the third tier before, and the Shakers also become the first FA Cup winners to have been expelled by the EFL.

England women's manager Phil Neville, whose mother Jill resigned as Bury's club secretary last week, described their demise as an "absolute disgrace" on Friday.

Supporters staged numerous protests in the build-up to the deadline, with former director Joy Hart handcuffing herself to a drainpipe outside their ground and a coffin reading 'RIP Bury FC 1885-?' was placed at the directors' entrance.

Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham also wrote to EFL chief Jevans asking for the club to be granted more time "given the urgency of Bury's plight".

How did it come to this?

At the end of April, Bury were celebrating promotion back to the third tier of English football, but they were already enduring a torrid time off the pitch.

The club was already in financial trouble when Dale bought it for £1 in December from previous owner Stewart Day, with players and staff often being paid late.

A winding-up petition filed against the club was adjourned three times before eventually being dismissed by the High Court on 31 July.

By then, creditors had approved a company voluntary arrangement (CVA) put forward by Dale, which was proposed to help settle some of their debts.

The CVA meant unsecured creditors, including HM Revenue & Customs, would be paid 25% of the money owed - but also triggered a 12-point deduction in the League One table under EFL rules.

Furthermore, the EFL were unsatisfied Bury had given enough evidence of their financial viability, leading to a string of postponed fixtures while the organisation awaited "the clarity required".

On 9 August, the Shakers were given a 14-day deadline to provide the necessary information or face expulsion. That deadline expired at 23:59 BST on Friday.

Emotions were running high as fans volunteered inside the stadium before being asked to leave

How will it impact the league structure?

The EFL had already outlined how it intended to balance the leagues if Bury were expelled:

The current League One season would be completed with 23 teams, with the number of relegation places reduced to three.

Four teams will still be promoted from League Two this season, ensuring League One is rebalanced in 2020-21.

Only one team will be relegated from League Two, with two to be promoted from the National League as usual.

What next for Bury?

It is not yet certain what will happen to Bury Football Club, its staff and players or the stadium.

Paul Wilkinson was appointed manager on 2 July, but has not taken charge of a game.

Before Saturday's announcement, the EFL said if the Shakers were expelled the club would "be free to make an application to the Football Association to rejoin league competition further down the English football pyramid from season 2020-21". </s> BURY have been EXPELLED from the Football League after a takeover collapse ended the club's 125-year history.

The League One side had until 5pm on Tuesday to complete a deal with C&N Sporting Risk.

But in devastating news for all those involved with the club and football fans as a whole, an agreement could not be reached.

Bury - also known as The Shakers - are the first team to drop out of the EFL since Maidstone's liquidation in 1992.

League One will now make up just 23 teams until the end of the season, and just three teams will be relegated.

EFL executive chair Debbie Jevans said in a statement released at 11.05pm last night: "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."

An EFL statement read: "Having fully considered all available options, including a number of late expressions of interest provided to the EFL, the EFL Board has unanimously determined with enormous regret that Bury’s membership be withdrawn.

"The EFL Board had maintained that there could be no further suspensions to the fixture list and that

 these ongoing concerns and the integrity of the competition were a significant factor in the decision.

"Recent events have highlighted how decisions taken at Bury FC over the last few seasons have caused

 the Club and individuals close to it significant financial distress and there are a number of matters which, in our view, will require further investigation."

Meanwhile, Bolton Wanderers, who also face being kicked out, have been granted a further 14 days to sort out a takeover with Football Ventures.

In a separate statement, the EFL suspended the Trotters' withdrawal notice. The club have been in administration since May.

Jevans added: "The reality of this action is that there are now 14 days to secure the club's long-term future."

Bury have been fighting financial problems for several years and were taken over by Steve Dale last December with the aim of saving them from going bust.

Dale bought the club for just £1 - but since then there have been a string of unpaid bills to companies while players and staff have also missed out on wages.

Amid nerve-shredding financial uncertainty, Bury's first five games of the season were suspended.

The Shakers exit the game's third tier having not played a match all season.

Player Stephen Dawson said he was on the verge of losing his house amid the financial crisis. </s> MANCHESTER, England: Bury, expelled from the Football League (EFL) on Tuesday after failing to provide guarantees about their finances, have no right of appeal against the decision, EFL Executive Chair Debbie Jevans said on Wednesday.

Bury, with 125 years membership of the Football League, became the first team to be expelled since Maidstone in 1992 after a takeover bid fell through just before a deadline to satisfy the EFL about their future.

"There’s no appeal process. It is within people’s rights to write to us, we await any correspondence, should it arrive," Jevans told reporters.

C&N Sporting Risk pulled out of its proposed takeover of the League One (third-tier) side just a few hours before the deadline to meet the league’s requirements saying the club's finances were full of complications.

Jevans said she was upset that the EFL had to expel Bury but added that the process was now completed.

"Devastated, no other word for it. I understand what I’ve heard the fans say. It’s very sad," she said.

"But that decision was made, the share (in the EFL) has been revoked and is now with the EFL," she added.

Jevans said the EFL, which had postponed five league games and kicked Bury out of the EFL Cup, had no choice after extending their deadline to work with C&N on a potential deal.

"I don’t honestly know what more we could have done," she said. </s> BURY, England (AP) — Bury, one of the oldest clubs in English soccer, has been expelled from the Football League after 125 years of membership following its failure to find a new owner.

The club from Greater Manchester had until Tuesday to provide evidence to the English Football League that it could meet its financial commitments, but was unable to after a takeover bid collapsed.

The EFL said that “having fully considered all available options, including a number of late expressions of interest provided to the EFL, the EFL board has unanimously determined with enormous regret that Bury’s membership be withdrawn.”

Bury is the first Football League club to be kicked out since Maidstone in 1992.

The team has been unable to play any of its first five games in the third-tier League One this season.

League One will now comprise 23 teams for the remainder of the season and the number of relegation places will be reduced to three instead of four.

Debbie Jevans, executive chair of the EFL, said “today is undoubtedly one of the darkest days in the league’s recent history” but added that the EFL “has to place the integrity of our competitions at the heart of every decision we make.”

Bury was founded in 1885, joined the Football League in 1894, and has won the FA Cup twice.

Meanwhile, administrators running another financially stricken northwest team, Bolton Wanderers, have been given 14 days to either sell the club or prove they can fund them for the rest of the season.

Otherwise, the EFL said Bolton’s membership will also be withdrawn. </s> Bury have been expelled from the English Football League after a day of high drama that will almost certainly result in the 134-year-old club being liquidated.

Shakers 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 can.

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.

And then, just when all hope seemed lost, Dale claimed he had received three new bids for the club, prompting fans, politicians and pundits to call for more time to explore these options.

But shortly after 11pm last night, the league revealed its verdict.

In a statement, it said: "Having fully considered all available options, including a number of late expressions of interest provided to the EFL, the EFL Board has unanimously determined with enormous regret that Bury’s membership be withdrawn.

"The EFL Board had maintained that there could be no further suspensions to the fixture list and that these ongoing concerns and the integrity of the competition were a significant factor in the decision.

"Recent events have highlighted how decisions taken at Bury FC over the last few seasons have caused the Club and individuals close to it significant financial distress and there are a number of matters which, in our view, will require further investigation.

"League One will now comprise of 23 Clubs for the remainder of the campaign and relegation places in the division reduced to three, which will result in a full complement of 24 Clubs in 2020/21.

“A discussion will take place with EFL Clubs on the consequential impact in League Two when Clubs next meet in September 2019."

EFL Executive chair, Debbie Jevans, added: “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.”

Meanwhile, another club in crisis, Bolton Wanderers, have been given 14 days to save themselves and avoid losing their Football League membership.

The Trotters were also given a 5pm deadline on Tuesday to solve an impasse in negotiations regarding the completion of a sale.

However, despite further negotiations over the Bank Holiday weekend, the EFL have decided to lift the suspension on the notice of withdrawal, which was previously issued per the EFL’s insolvency policy when Bolton entered administration in May 2019. </s> London: Historic football club Bury on Tuesday became the first team to be expelled from the English Football League in over two decades after a takeover bid collapsed.

The two-time FA Cup winners, who only a few months ago were celebrating promotion to the third tier, lost all hope of salvation when a takeover bid fell apart shortly before the 1600 GMT deadline.

The club from northwest England are the first to be expelled from the league -- comprising all the divisions below the top-tier Premier League -- since Maidstone United in 1992.

Bury's historic rivals Bolton -- one of the founders of the Football League but who have been in administration since May -- won some breathing space on Tuesday when they were given 14 days to find a buyer.

For Bury, though, the bell has tolled on their time in the Football League, ending over 100 years of participation which yielded two FA Cups and produced players like former Manchester City and England great Colin Bell.

Ironically Bury, who become the first FA Cup winners to be ousted from the league, and Bolton were due to face each other in a televised live match on Sunday week.

Bury are the first team to be expelled from the third tier of English football. The remaining 23 teams will complete the season and only three instead of four teams will be relegated.

A BBC journalist at the club's Gigg Lane ground said that on hearing the news fans burst into tears with some so upset they were "crouching down to the floor".

"Today is undoubtedly one of the darkest days in the league's recent history," said EFL executive chair Debbie Jevans.

"I understand this will be a deeply upsetting and devastating time for Bury's players, staff, supporters and the wider community."

Four-time FA Cup winners Bolton, who were in the Premier League as recently as the 2011-2012 season, have been given more time to try and sort out the proposed takeover by a company called Football Ventures (Whites) Limited.

"Despite repeated assurances, we are extremely disappointed that we are still not in a position to reach a successful resolution with the sale of Bolton Wanderers and have therefore taken the decision to lift the suspension on the notice of withdrawal," said Jevans.

"I again urge all parties to finalise the proposed takeover."

The writing had been on the wall for Bury after a rollercoaster of a day for fans and employees alike, when C&N Sporting Risk withdrew their takeover bid offer to Steve Dale, who had bought the club last December for a single pound.

C&N said in a statement they were "unable to proceed" with the bid and hinted that Bury's problems ran deep.

"We will be happy to work together with the EFL to share our findings to help them with their ongoing review of football governance," they said.

"It is essential for the long-term future of all members of the EFL and the broader football family."

Unlike Bury, who had yet to play a match this season due to their financial uncertainty, Bolton had fulfilled most of their fixtures, albeit with a team made up of youngsters.

However, having been close to a deal last Friday the plug was pulled on it, reportedly due to former owner Ken Anderson wanting assurances from the administrator that he would not be subject to repaying any more money once the club changed hands.

Fildraw, the family trust set up by Bolton's great benefactor during their Premier League years, the late Eddie Davies, would not agree to that condition as it has a charge of £10 million ($12.3 million) for debt.

The Bolton faithful collected round the statue of their most celebrated player, the late former England striker Nat Lofthouse, known as the "Lion of Vienna". Tuesday would have been his 94th birthday.

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Subscribe to Moneycontrol Pro and gain access to curated markets data, trading recommendations, equity analysis, investment ideas, insights from market gurus and much more. Get Moneycontrol PRO for 1 year at price of 3 months. Use code FREEDOM. </s> BURY BECAME THE first team to be expelled from the English Football League in over two decades after a takeover bid collapsed on Tuesday.

The two-time FA Cup winners, who only a few months ago were celebrating promotion to the third tier, lost all hope of salvation when a takeover bid fell apart shortly before the 5pm deadline.

The club from northwest England are the first to be expelled from the league — comprising all the divisions below the Premier League — since Maidstone United in 1992.

Bury’s historic rivals Bolton — one of the founders of the Football League but who have been in administration since May — won some breathing space on Tuesday when they were given 14 days to find a buyer.

For Bury, though, the bell has tolled on their time in the Football League, ending over 100 years of participation which yielded two FA Cups and produced players like former Manchester City and England great Colin Bell.

Ironically Bury, who become the first FA Cup winners to be ousted from the league, and Bolton were due to face each other in a televised live match on Sunday week.

Bury are the first team to be expelled from the third tier of English football. The remaining 23 teams will complete the season and only three instead of four teams will be relegated.

A BBC journalist at the club’s Gigg Lane ground said that on hearing the news fans burst into tears with some so upset they were “crouching down to the floor”.

“Today is undoubtedly one of the darkest days in the league’s recent history,” said EFL executive chair Debbie Jevans.

“I understand this will be a deeply upsetting and devastating time for Bury’s players, staff, supporters and the wider community.”

Four-time FA Cup winners Bolton, who were in the Premier League as recently as the 2011-2012 season, have been given more time to try and sort out the proposed takeover by a company called Football Ventures (Whites) Limited.

“Despite repeated assurances, we are extremely disappointed that we are still not in a position to reach a successful resolution with the sale of Bolton Wanderers and have therefore taken the decision to lift the suspension on the notice of withdrawal,” said Jevans.

“I again urge all parties to finalise the proposed takeover.”

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English association football club Bury F.C., who were in EFL League One, are expelled from the English Football League (EFL) after a takeover bid to save the club collapses. Fellow EFL League One club and local rivals Bolton Wanderers F.C. are given an extra 14 days to avoid being expelled due to financial difficulty. EFL executive chair Debbie Jevans calls the expulsion of Bury F.C. "one of the darkest days in the league's recent history".