You might remember that in March of this year, Bury AFC was successful in defeating Steve Dale’s attempt to trademark the Bury FC badge and town crest in his own name. You can read about how it started here and the verdict here.
We can confirm that the Intellectual Property Office have also instructed Steve Dale to pay Bury AFC £500 in costs. It’s not a huge amount but we felt it would be an appropriate way to start a new initiative:
Support a Supporter Fund
We are using the £500 to purchase four adult season tickets, and have asked two fantastic local organisations we have already been working with to distribute them to those people in the community they think are the most deserving.
The organisations we’ve chosen to distribute tickets are Bury Hospice and Bury Community Support Network. Both organisations provide vital assistance and support to the people of Bury and we felt it only right that they have a pair of season tickets using the money we’ve recovered.
Bury Hospice have informed us they will rotate their tickets amongst their volunteers as a thank you for the vital assistance they provide. Bury Community Support Network have informed us that they will offer the season tickets to service users who have fallen on hard times and otherwise would be unable to attend games. We hope all of those who are given the opportunity to attend as a result of this initiative thoroughly enjoy their trip to the Neuven Stadium.
Tina Harrison MBE, who is the Foodbank Lead Volunteer for Bury Community Support Network, had this to say after we informed her of the donated season tickets for their organisation:
“Bury Community Support Network wishes to thank Bury AFC for the season tickets for the upcoming season. This will allow people with limited income something to look forward to and hopefully enjoy in the coming months.”
Rachel Wallace, Head of Marketing, Communications & Fundraising for Bury Hospice was equally thankful for the offer of two season tickets, providing the following comments:
“Thank you so much to Bury AFC for the Season Tickets donated to Bury Hospice which we will be offering to our amazing Volunteers. You may know that as a charity we rely on the support of our army of volunteers who tirelessly give up their time to support our work. With every penny counting, it is amazing to receive these free tickets which we will be using to thank our volunteers who love football. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts.“
The season passes were presented to Frank Kershaw of Bury Community Support Network (pictured above) on the pitch prior to the Hanley Town friendly on 20th July and will be presented to Bury Hospice ahead of the first league home game against Bacup Borough on 7th August.
You can find out more about the fantastic work both charities do below.
Bury Hospice & Bury Community Support Network
It doesn’t end there. We’ve had other supporters ask how they can donate money to benefit those less fortunate and one has donated a Hospitality season ticket already.
It doesn’t have to be the full £125 for a season ticket, we will add up all the amounts donated and use them to distribute tickets via existing organisations which are embedded in the local community. If you would like to purchase a season ticket or make a donation for someone unable to afford their own, you can Support a Supporter by donating at the link below.
Brilliant idea and what AFC is all about.
I feel so proud to be a member of AFC. This is what football should be, looking after each other, our fellow supporters.
A huge thank you to everyone involved.
I’m sure that gesture will be much appreciated and well done committee for thinking of the less fortunate. Eric G
An absolute brilliant idea. I hope any less fortunate supporters really take advantage of this fantastic gesture.