BURY have been expelled from the Football League.

The Shakers had been given until 5pm today to finalise a takeover or their 125-year stay in the league would be over.

Fans feared the worst when C&N Sporting Risk pulled out of a proposed deal with under-fire owner Steve Dale at around 3.30pm with the club’s very existence now under threat and liquidation a real possibility. 

“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and, after a long and detailed discussion, determined that Bury FC’s membership of the English Football League be withdrawn after the deadline passed at 5pm today (Tuesday 27 August) without a successful resolution,” the EFL statement read.

“Despite repeated requests to its owner Mr Dale over a sustained period of time, the necessary evidence in respect of how the club would meet its financial commitments, has simply not been provided and, as a result, attentions turned to securing new ownership at the club.

“At its meeting on 24 August 2019, the Board agreed a short extension to 5pm today (Tuesday 27 August) to enable Mr Dale and the club to explore the possibility of a proposed sale with C&N Sporting Risk Limited, with Mr Dale having accepted their offer. Following due diligence, C&N Sporting Risk Limited opted not to pursue its interest.  

“Therefore, 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interest provided to the EFL, the EFL Board has unanimously determined with enormous regret that Bury’s membership be withdrawn.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.”

Debbie Jevans, EFL executive chair, 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.”

Prospective new owners C&N Sporting Risk emerged late on Friday night as the Gigg Lane club survived the first deadline and have been working around the clock to try and finalise a deal with Dale.

But directors Henry Newman and Rory Campbell said earlier today the financial situation was simply too complicated for them to proceed, Dale having bought the debt-ridden club from Stewart Day for £1 last December.

That left the Shakers in need of another 11th hour savour with the future of the 134-year-old two-time FA Cup winners in peril.

Several names emerged with Dale claiming he had passed four bids onto the EFL.

One was put forward by MP Ivan Lewis but the league have deemed it too late to salvage the club having said they would not suspend any further fixtures with Bury having not started the League One campaign after promotion as scheduled.

Lewis immediately vowed on Twitter to fight the decision.

“Absolutely gutted for the fans and the town,” he said.

“It’s uphill now. But we will leave no stone unturned to get this decision reversed. The fight goes on.”

In all likelihood, having become the first club to drop out of the league in this manner since 1992, a reformed version of the Shakers will begin life in non-league football next season.