Bury AFC pain must not be in vain

BURY AFC director Darren Bernstein has urged Britain’s politicians to learn from the lessons of his club and deliver an Independent Regulator that has the teeth to create a fairer future for football.

On 27 August 2019, Bury FC were expelled from the English Football League after failing to prove its financial viability. The heartache devastated the community and tore up over a century of history and tradition. A few months later the phoenix club was born.

In an exclusive interview with Eurosport presenter and Fair Game’s Liaison Manager, Matt Roberts, Bernstein revealed his views about the imminent creation of an Independent Regulator for English Football. He said:

"It's a pyrrhic victory. It is bitter sweet. We made a better future for the game. I don't think club issues are finished yet. Three years ago, we were told that have lessons have been learnt. [But] until this comes in we are not there yet, and there is a lot of work to be done.

"There is a need for the regulator to prove itself in order to get everyone's confidence.

"The game is not set up to benefit everyone from the very top to the very bottom. So for me that is why the regulator takes the onus off those people in power to make those decisions that are not just going to benefit those people in power.”

Bernstein then explained his vision for Bury AFC:

"Sustainability has to be No 1, being a community club that is rooted in the town.

"We need our fans to understand the jounrey we are on. This is not going to be easy."