Over the club’s long history, we’ve played a total of 20 games on 23rd August with the first recorded game taking place in 1947 at Nottingham Forest. 27,121 supporters were on hand to witness Jimmy Constantine grab the Shakers' consolation goal in a narrow 2-1 defeat.
The first recorded victory on this day was back in the 1958/59 season when goals from John Parker, Jimmy Munro, and Gordon Atherton saw the Shakers claim a 3-1 win in the season opener at Colchester United’s Layer Road.
It wasn’t until 1966/67 season that the Shakers played at home on this day, with Bury recording a 2-0 victory over neighbours Rochdale in the First Round of the League Cup. Bobby Owen and Brian Turner finding the back of the net in front of 3,724 supporters.
The second home game of the 1997/98 season brought Charlton Athletic to Gigg Lane, and a crowd of 4,657 saw Bury claim a point in a 0-0 draw.
The first recorded game this century was in the 2000/01 season when Crewe Alexandra were the opposition at Gresty Road in the Worthington Cup 1st Round. Goals from Darren Bullock and Adrian Littlejohn claimed a 2-2 draw on the night, though the Shakers were eliminated from the competition after losing the home leg 2-1 a week before.
The Bury side for the game at Gresty Road was:
Paddy Kenny, Lee Unsworth, Steve Redmond (pictured above), Sam Collins, Chris Swailes (Danny Swailes), Nicky Daws, Paul Reid, Chris Billy, Darren Bullock (Martyn Forrest), Bhaichung Bhutiua (Andy Preece) and Adrian Littlejohn. Un-used subs on the night were Jason Jarrett and Lutel James.
The last recorded game on this day took place in the 2014/15 season when Plymouth Argyle made the long trip to Gigg Lane, which brought a 2-1 victory for the Shakers thanks to goals from Tom Soares and Danny Rose.
In total, the club has played 20 games on 23rd August, winning six games, drawing five games and losing the remaining games. As for goals – it's 24 goals scored, and 34 goals conceded.
Season |
Comp |
Opposition |
Ven |
Res |
Goals |
Gate |
||
1947/48 |
Tier 2 |
Nottingham Forest |
A |
1 |
2 |
Lost |
Constantine |
27,121 |
1950/51 |
Tier 2 |
Preston North End |
A |
0 |
2 |
Lost |
|
21,000 |
1951/52 |
Tier 2 |
West Ham United |
A |
1 |
1 |
Draw |
Daniel |
15,200 |
1952/53 |
Tier 2 |
Fulham |
A |
0 |
2 |
Lost |
|
28,000 |
1958/59 |
Tier 3 |
Colchester United |
A |
3 |
1 |
Won |
Parker, Munro, Atherton |
9,394 |
1962/63 |
Tier 2 |
Swansea Town |
A |
0 |
3 |
Lost |
|
10,400 |
1966/67 |
FL Cup |
Rochdale |
H |
2 |
0 |
Win |
Owen, Turner |
3,724 |
1967/68 |
FL Cup |
Rochdale |
A |
1 |
0 |
Win |
Lindsay |
4,848 |
1975/76 |
Tier 3 |
Cardiff City |
A |
1 |
1 |
Draw |
Riley |
6,664 |
1980/81 |
Tier 4 |
Halifax Town |
A |
2 |
4 |
Lost |
Whitehead, Johnson |
1,861 |
1983/84 |
Manx |
Blackburn Rovers |
A |
0 |
0 |
Draw |
|
3,615 |
1986/87 |
Tier 3 |
Bristol City |
A |
2 |
2 |
Draw |
Taylor, Greenwood |
8,239 |
1994/95 |
FL Cup |
Hartlepool United |
A |
1 |
5 |
Lost |
Rigby |
1,505 |
1997/98 |
Tier 2 |
Charlton Athletic |
H |
0 |
0 |
Draw |
|
4,657 |
2000/01 |
FL Cup |
Crewe Alexandrea |
A |
2 |
2 |
Draw |
Bullock, Littlejohn |
3,199 |
2003/04 |
Tier 4 |
Kidderminster H |
A |
2 |
0 |
Win |
Porter, Seddon |
2,548 |
2005/06 |
FL Cup |
Leicester City |
H |
0 |
3 |
Lost |
|
2,759 |
2008/09 |
Tier 4 |
Morecambe |
H |
2 |
1 |
Won |
Scott, Artell (OG) |
2,679 |
2011/12 |
FL Cup |
Leicester City |
H |
2 |
4 |
Lost |
Jones, Lowe |
3,779 |
2014/15 |
Tier 4 |
Plymouth Argyle |
H |
2 |
1 |
Won |
Soares, Rose |
3,156 |