THE House of Commons inquiry into Bury FC and football governance has urged the EFL to apologise to the Shakers and compensate them for loss of earnings.

The Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Committee have made a series of recommendations based on the evidence they have gathered so far.

MPs also want to see the Owners’ and Directors’ Test disqualify a buyer with a record of corporate insolvency.

They feel clubs should also be banned from borrowing against fixed assets such as stadiums, a problem those campaigning to save the Shakers are currently battling against with a sizeable mortgage on Gigg Lane.

The committee, chaired by Damian Collins MP, also wants to see FA, EFL and Premier League establish a supporters’ ombudsman to hear concerns about how clubs are being run.

A letter to Debbie Jevans, executive chair of the EFL, Football Association chairman Greg Clarke, Jonathan Taylor QC, who is leading the EFL's own review following Bury's expulsion from the Football League, and Digital, Culture, Media and Sports Minister Nigel Adams MP also outlines that if recommendations for reform are not implemented the Government will be urged to introduce legislation for an independent system of football licensing.

“Systematic and structural problems are responsible for the tragic expulsion of Bury FC from the league this year,” Collins said.

“These failures were avoidable, and it is essential that the authorities urgently overhaul their framework if they wish to avoid the same fate befalling other clubs.

“We heard time and again that supporters felt powerless as they watched their beloved club suffer shocking mismanagement and financial misconduct.

“The authorities must learn to respect, and act upon, these concerns.

“If the reforms we recommend are not introduced forthwith, the only alternative is for the Government to step in.”

At a hearing Collins heard evidence from a number of parties including Jevans and Clarke before visiting Bury with James Frith MP to hear concerns from interested parties in the town.

"I am delighted that my MP colleagues on the Select Committee have demanded the EFL issue an apology to Bury on their significant part in the clubs downfall," Frith said in a statement. 

"They agree with my recommendations on the need for reform in football governance including the need to bring the necessary legislation in for governance of the game if it doesn’t get its act together and fast.

"I continue to work community wide on the resurrection of Bury FC and securing football at Gigg Lane. Following my further positive meeting with the FA, who I introduced our Phoenix operation to last week, I am meeting with Insolvency and Sports Legal representatives on Thursday to advise our community-wide effort to secure Gigg."