So we head into the summer still as desperate for news as we were 6 weeks ago, still hoping for the best yet knowing that optimism rarely goes hand in hand with the usual role of the Shakers fan.
The Bury skipper Steven Schumacher has now been removed from the wage bill in the same manner that Joe Skarz was, the young lads have been pruned away and the only pre season confirmed so far is the annual trip to Radcliffe. Never has my Dad's comment "bring your boots, you'll get a game" felt more accurate.
During the 2002 SOS campaign Bury received a huge amount of support from the fans at Brighton who had campaigned to save their own club following the loss of the Goldstone ground. When Bury played B&HA at the Withdean the team paraded a thank you banner, and Albion's poet in residence - Attila the Stockbroker - produced this poem in support of the Shakers.
It remains as relevant today as it did then. The only difference is that Brighton, and their superb supporters, were so close to making it back to the top flight and have their own stadium once again. A reminder of what can be achieved and that bad times don't have to last forever.
LEAGUES APART
A few clubs earn the Royal Mint.
Most live beyond their means.
And now they tell us Wimbledon
is part of Milton Keynes!
The rich elite don’t care about
a Womble or a Shaker -
The only thing they want to shake
is Murdoch’s money maker.
It’s market forces, they will say.
Don’t care if your club dies.
There’s not one crust to come your way:
We’ve eaten all the pies.
The game’s awash with corporate cash:
besmirched by corporate greed
But, we, the fans through thick and thin
will help out those in need.
They’ll never bury Bury,
Nor the grass roots of our game.
And those who stitched up Wimbledon
should bow their heads in shame.
And now your team is threatened too.
Let’s find a new solution.
So hear this, Chelsea & Man U -
We want redistribution!
Attila the Stockbroker - March 16th 2002
Reproduced with thanks.
