View source for Bury Town F.C.

{{short description|Association football club in England}}
{{distinguish|text=[[Bury F.C.]] in Greater Manchester}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}}
{{Infobox football club
| clubname = Bury Town F.C.
| image = Bury Town FC.png
| upright = 0.8
| fullname = Bury Town Football Club
| nickname = The Blues
| founded = 1872
| ground = Ram Meadow, [[Bury St Edmunds]]
| capacity = 3,500 (300 seated)<ref name=NLCD/>
| chairman = Russell Ward
| manager = [[Cole Skuse]]
| league = {{English football updater|BuryTown}}
| season = {{English football updater|BuryTown2}}
| position = {{English football updater|BuryTown3}}
| website = {{URL|http://www.burytownfc.co.uk|burytownfc.co.uk}}
| kit_alt1 = Blue jersey with blue trim on white left sleeve, blue shorts and blue socks.
| pattern_la1 = _erreadiamantis21rbnw
| pattern_b1 = _erreadiamantis21rbnw
| pattern_ra1 = _erreadiamantis21rbnw
| leftarm1 = 0000ff
| body1 = 0000ff
| rightarm1 = ffffff
| shorts1 = 0000ff
| socks1 = 0000ff
| kit_alt2 = Tangerine jersey with tangerine trim on white left sleeve, black shorts and tangerine socks.
| pattern_la2 = 
| pattern_b2 = _upper_black
| pattern_ra2 =
| pattern_sh2 =
| pattern_so2 = 
| leftarm2 = 000000
| body2 = f0781e
| rightarm2 = 000000
| shorts2 = 000000
| socks2 = 000000
}}

'''Bury Town Football Club''' is a semi-professional [[association football|football]] club, based in [[Bury St Edmunds]], [[Suffolk]], England. The club are currently members of the {{English football updater|BuryTown}} and play at Ram Meadow. 

==History==
===Early history===
The club was established by William Lake at a meeting in the Suffolk Hotel in 1872.<ref name= History>[http://www.burytownfc.co.uk/a/club-history-53362.html History] Bury Town FC</ref> Initially named Bury St Edmunds Football Club, the first committee of the club elected to choose royal blue as the club's colours.<ref name= History/> In 1885 they were one of eleven founder members of the [[Suffolk County Football Association|Suffolk FA]] and voted to change their name to Bury Town.<ref name= History/> In 1895 the club's name reverted to Bury St Edmunds, before being renamed Bury United in 1908 and then back to Bury Town in 1923.<ref name= History/>

The club joined the [[Norfolk & Suffolk League]] in 1899, but withdrew midway through the 1901–02 season.<ref name=NLM>[http://www.nonleaguematters.co.uk/nlmnet/Aarg3E/NSL97.html Norfolk & Suffolk League 1897–1939] Non-League Matters</ref> They subsequently became members of the [[East Anglian League|South East Anglian League]] in 1904 and finished bottom of the league in 1905–06.<ref>[http://www.prideofanglia.com/page.php?page=seasons&text=1904-05 1904–05] Pride of Anglia</ref><ref>[http://www.prideofanglia.com/page.php?page=seasons&text=1905-06 1905–06] Pride of Anglia</ref> They rejoined the Norfolk & Suffolk League in 1920, leaving again in 1929 and rejoining again in 1932.<ref name=NLM/> During this time they also played in the [[Essex and Suffolk Border Football League|Essex & Suffolk Border League]]. In 1935 the club moved into senior football by becoming founder members of the [[Eastern Counties Football League|Eastern Counties League]].<ref name= History/> They gained their first honour when they won the [[Suffolk Senior Cup]] in 1936–37, a trophy they retained for the next two seasons.<ref name= Honours>[http://www.burytownfc.co.uk/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=23&Itemid=42 Honours] Bury Town FC</ref> 1937–38 saw the club achieve its best pre-war league position of runners-up,<ref name= History/> before the competition was suspended due to the outbreak of [[World War II]]. Bury Town won the Suffolk Senior Cup for the fourth time in 1945 before resuming league action in 1946.<ref name= Honours/>

===Post-war===
In 1958–59 Bury Town became the first ever winners of the [[Suffolk Premier Cup]] and went on to retain the trophy for the next three seasons. The club won the Eastern Counties League Cup for the first time in 1961–62 and then in 1963–64 they won the Eastern Counties League Championship for the only time in its history, recording a "treble" by retaining the League Cup and winning the Suffolk Premier Cup for the fifth time. This success prompted the club to join the Metropolitan League in 1964 when once again, they won the Suffolk Premier Cup. During the 1965–66 campaign, Bury Town recorded yet another "treble", winning the Metropolitan League Championship, the Metropolitan League Professional Cup and for the seventh time, the Suffolk Premier Cup. In 1967–68 the Blues won the Metropolitan League Cup for the only time and finished runners-up in the league.

The Metropolitan League title was won for the second and final time in 1968–69 when the club reached the first round proper of the [[1968–69 FA Cup|FA Cup]] for the first time in their history; 3,000 spectators saw the Blues hold [[Football League Third Division|Third Division]] leaders [[AFC Bournemouth|Bournemouth & Boscombe Athletic]] to a goalless home draw at [[Cemetry Road|King's Road]], in a match covered by [[ITV Anglia|Anglia Television]], but the replay at [[Dean Court]] was lost 3–0. The 1970–71 season was the club's last in the Metropolitan League when they finished as runners-up and also lifted the Suffolk Premier Cup for the eighth occasion. In 1971 the club switched to the [[Southern Football League|Southern League]], but poor results prompted a return to the Eastern Counties League in 1976. A year later they won the Suffolk Premier Cup again.

===1980s to present===
In 1986–87, which proved to be Bury Town's last season in the Eastern Counties League, the club enjoyed another good run in the [[1986–87 FA Cup|FA Cup]], reaching the fourth qualifying round. The Blues were drawn away to [[National League (division)|Conference]] leaders [[Enfield F.C.|Enfield]] and forced a 0–0 draw before 842 spectators. A record crowd of over 2,500 saw the visitors win the replay at Ram Meadow. In 1987 Bury rejoined the Southern League and experienced mixed fortunes in the Southern Division. The [[1995–96 Southern Football League|1995–96 season]] saw the club accepting a transfer across to the Midland Division. After completion of only one season in the Midland Division, Bury Town were relegated back to the Eastern Counties League. Despite relegation the club won the Suffolk Premier Cup, beating [[Woodbridge Town F.C.|Woodbridge Town]] in the final.

Bury saw little success until the 2004–05 season with the club finishing second in the league and winning the Westwood Shield, as well as reaching the quarter-finals of the [[FA Vase]] for the second time. The following season saw the club finish second in the league again, allowing them promotion to Division One North of the [[Isthmian League]], as well as reaching the semi-final of the FA Vase. Two seasons later the club were transferred into Division One Midlands of the Southern League as part of a geographical reorganisation. In the same season they reached the first round proper of the [[2008–09 FA Cup|FA Cup]] for the first time in forty years, losing 4–2 away to [[National League North|Conference North]] club [[Alfreton Town F.C.|Alfreton Town]].<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/fa_cup/7700290.stm Alfreton Town 4–2 Bury Town] – BBC Sport</ref> The [[2009–10 Southern Football League|2009–10 season]] ended with the club winning 3–0 on the final day of the season to claim the title,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nonleaguedaily.com/news/index.php?&newsmode=FULL&nid=66374|title=Leabon hattrick helps Blues to title success|date=2010-04-24|publisher=Non-League Daily|access-date=2010-04-26 |url-status=usurped|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120929031116/http://www.nonleaguedaily.com/news/index.php?&newsmode=FULL&nid=66374 |archive-date=2012-09-29 }}</ref> earning promotion to the seventh level of English football, where they were placed in the Isthmian League Premier Division. The [[2010–11 Isthmian League|following season]] they won the Premier Cup for a tenth time, defeating [[Needham Market F.C.|Needham Market]] 2–0 in the final, and also finished third in the league, qualifying for the play-offs, where they lost 2–1 at home to [[Lowestoft Town F.C.|Lowestoft Town]]. In [[2011–12 Isthmian League|2011–12]] the club won the Isthmian League Cup. After finishing bottom of the Premier Division in [[2014–15 Isthmian League|2014–15 season]] they were relegated to Division One North.

In [[2023–24 Isthmian League|2023–24]] Bury were runners-up in the renamed North Division but were beaten 3–1 by [[Brentwood Town F.C.|Brentwood Town]] in the play-off semi-finals. The [[2024–25 Isthmian League|following season]] saw the club finish third in the division, before going onto beat [[Waltham Abbey F.C.|Waltham Abbey]] 4–0 in the play-off semi-finals and then [[Brightlingsea Regent F.C.|Brightlingsea Regent]] 1–0 in the final to earn promotion to the Premier Division Central of the Southern League.<ref> {{cite web|url=https://www.isthmian.co.uk/articles/last-gasp-bury-take-the-prize|title=Last-gasp Bury take the prize|website=Isthmian League|date=3 May 2025|accessdate=3 May 2025}}</ref>

==Ground==
The club took up residence at [[Cemetry Road|King's Road]], also known as the Cemetery Road ground, in 1888.<ref name= History/> It became the first football ground in East Anglia to operate floodlights, when on 12 January 1953, Bury played their first ever floodlit game against Cambridge City in front of 2,105 spectators.<ref name= History/> A total of 14 bulbs of 1,500 watts were used, with the lights financed by the Bury Town Supporters Club.<ref name= History/> The club's last match at King's Road was played on 30 April 1976, a 2–2 draw against a [[West Ham United F.C.|West Ham United]] team with 1,750 in attendance; the land on which the ground was located was required to build a new road.<ref>[http://www.stedmundsburychronicle.co.uk/Chronicle/1946-2000.htm The late Twentieth Century 1946–2000] St Edmundsbury Chronichle</ref> After a year at a temporary ground, the club moved to their current Ram Meadow ground in 1977.<ref>M Colman (1998) ''Bury Town: 21 Years at Ram Meadow, 1977–98''</ref> All four sides of the ground have covered areas for spectators, with 300 seats in two stands either side of the pitch and terracing behind both goals.<ref name=PP>[http://www.pyramidpassion.co.uk/html/bury_town.html Bury Town] Pyramid Passion</ref>

==Current squad==
{{updated|22 June 2025}} <ref name="Bury Town">{{cite web
| title = Player Profiles
| url = https://www.burytownfc.co.uk/sipg/1021
| website = Bury Town FC
| access-date = 8 December 2024}}</ref>
{{Football squad start|nonumber=y}}
{{Football squad player|nonumber=yes|nat=England|pos=GK|name={{sortname|Charlie|Beckwith|nolink=1}}}}
{{Football squad player|nonumber=yes|nat=England|pos=DF|name={{sortname|Joe|Carroll|nolink=1}}}}
{{Football squad player|nonumber=yes|nat=England|pos=DF|name={{sortname|Josh|Curry|nolink=1}}|other=[[Captain (association football)|captain]]}}
{{Football squad player|nonumber=yes|nat=England|pos=DF|name={{sortname|Mikey|Davis|nolink=1}}}}
{{Football squad player|nonumber=yes|nat=England|pos=DF|name={{sortname|Lewis|O'Malley|nolink=1}}}}
{{Football squad player|nonumber=yes|nat=England|pos=DF|name={{sortname|Taylor|Parr|nolink=1}}}}
{{Football squad player|nonumber=yes|nat=England|pos=DF|name={{sortname|Joe|White|nolink=1}}}}
{{Football squad player|nonumber=yes|nat=England|pos=MF|name={{sortname|Theo|Carter|nolink=1}}}}
{{Football squad player|nonumber=yes|nat=England|pos=MF|name={{sortname|Ally|Conway|nolink=1}}}}
{{Football squad mid|nonumber=y}}
{{Football squad player|nonumber=yes|nat=England|pos=MF|name={{sortname|Ryan|Horne|nolink=1}}}}
{{Football squad player|nonumber=yes|nat=England|pos=MF|name={{sortname|Ryan|Jolland|nolink=1}}}}
{{Football squad player|nonumber=yes|nat=England|pos=MF|name={{sortname|Max|Maughn|nolink=1}}}}
{{Football squad player|nonumber=yes|nat=England|pos=MF|name={{sortname|Ethan|Mayhew|nolink=1}}}}
{{Football squad player|nonumber=yes|nat=England|pos=MF|name={{sortname|George|Quantrell|nolink=1}}}}
{{Football squad player|nonumber=yes|nat=England|pos=FW|name={{sortname|Luke|Brown|nolink=1}}}}
{{Football squad player|nonumber=yes|nat=England|pos=FW|name=[[Harley Curtis]]}}
{{Football squad player|nonumber=yes|nat=Republic of Ireland|pos=FW|name={{sortname|Cemal|Ramadan|nolink=1}}}}
{{Football squad player|nonumber=yes|nat=England|pos=FW|name={{sortname|Tom|Thulborn|nolink=1}}}}
{{Football squad end}}

<small>''The [[Southern Football League]] does not use a squad numbering system.''</small>

==Honours==
*'''Isthmian League'''
**Division One North play-off winners 2024–25
**League Cup winners 2011–12
*'''Southern League'''
**Division One Midlands champions 2009–10
*'''Eastern Counties League'''
**Champions 1963–64
**League Cup winners 1961–62, 1963–64
*'''Metropolitan League'''
**Champions 1965–66, 1968–69
**League Cup winners 1967–68
**Professional Cup winners 1965–66
*'''Suffolk Premier Cup'''
**Winners 1958–59, 1959–60, 1960–61, 1961–62, 1963–64, 1964–65, 1965-66, 1970–71, 1977–78, 1995–96, 2010–11, 2012–13, 2013–14
*'''Suffolk Senior Cup'''
**Winners 1936–37, 1937–38, 1938–39, 1944–45, 1984–85

==Records==
*Best [[FA Cup]] performance: First round, 1968–69, 2008–09<ref name=FCHD>{{fchd|id=BURYT|name=Bury Town}}</ref>
*Best [[FA Trophy]] performance: Second round, 1970–71
*Best [[FA Vase]] performance: Semi-finals, 2005–06<ref name=FCHD/>
*Record attendance:
**At King's Road: 4,343 vs [[Cambridge City F.C.|Cambridge Town]], FA Cup first qualifying round, 1949<ref name=BTFC>[http://www.burytownfc.co.uk/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=5&Itemid=40 Records] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150105085929/http://www.burytownfc.co.uk/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=5&Itemid=40 |date=5 January 2015 }} Bury Town FC</ref>
**At Ram Meadow: 2,500 vs [[Enfield 1893 F.C.|Enfield]], FA Cup fourth qualifying round, 1986<ref name=NLCD>Mike Williams & Tony Williams (2012) ''Non-League Club Directory 2013'', p536 {{ISBN|978-1-869833-77-0}}</ref>
*Most appearances: Dick Rayner – 610 appearances in 12 seasons<ref name=NLCD/>
*Most goals: Doug Tooley – 251 goals in 9 seasons<ref name=NLCD/>
*Record transfer fee received: £5,500 for [[Simon Milton (footballer)|Simon Milton]] from [[Ipswich Town F.C.|Ipswich Town]]<ref name=NLCD/>
*Record transfer fee paid: £1,500 for Mitchel Springett to [[Chelmsford City F.C.|Chelmsford City]]<ref name=NLCD/>

==See also==
*{{c|Bury Town F.C. players}}
*{{c|Bury Town F.C. managers}}

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
*{{official website|http://www.burytownfc.co.uk/}}

{{Southern League}}
{{coord|52|14|55.96|N|0|43|15.81|E|region:GB_type:landmark|display=title}}

[[Category:Bury Town F.C.| ]]
[[Category:Bury St Edmunds]]
[[Category:Football clubs in England]]
[[Category:Football clubs in Suffolk]]
[[Category:Association football clubs established in 1872]]
[[Category:1872 establishments in England]]
[[Category:East Anglian League]]
[[Category:Norfolk & Suffolk League]]
[[Category:Essex and Suffolk Border Football League]]
[[Category:Eastern Counties Football League]]
[[Category:Metropolitan League]]
[[Category:Southern Football League clubs]]
[[Category:Isthmian League clubs]]