Bury FC

On This Day...15th October

Bury's first game on 15th October is certainly one to jot down and quickly forget - an 1887 friendly game at Blackburn Rovers in front of 3,000 supporters and a final score that would send social media into complete meltdown these days – Blackburn Rovers 10 - Bury 0.

However, the Shakers would make the headlines for the right reasons five years later when they met Southport Central in the FA Cup 1st Round Qualifier at Gigg Lane. Just 3,064 supporters were in attendance as the Shakers hit nine goals to demolish the visitors. George Ross hit four goals, two for George Bourn with Spence, Wilkinson and Jobson also on the scoresheet. The second qualifier against Stockport County brought an 8-0 victory however a 3rd qualifier brought a 7-1 defeat against Rossendale.

In 1907, Northern Nomads were the visitors to Gigg Lane in the first round of the Manchester Cup. The result was a resounding 6-0 victory for the Shakers with Billy Hibbert scoring all six goals in front of just 750 fans.

1927 saw West Ham United visit the North West for a Division One game. The match attracted a great crowd of over 20,000 at Gigg Lane and the players certainly responded to the fantastic support with a 3-1 victory thanks to goals from John Ball, Norman Bullock and Dave Robbie.

Chesterfield provided the opposition for a 1932 Division Two game at Saltergate. 10,000 supporters watched as Bury ran out 3-1 winners with Arthur Eggleston scoring twice and a third from Ian MacFadyen.

Luton Town made the long trip north in 1949 for a Division Two game at Gigg Lane. 17,651 supporters watched as a Dave Massart hat-trick (pictured below), plus strikes from George Hazlet and Harold Bodle claimed a good 5-2 victory.

The success that was the 1960/61 season brought Reading to Bury for a Third Division game. Just over 10,000 supporters watched on as the Shakers ran out 3-0 winners thanks to goals from Johnny Hubbard, Don Watson and a Davies own goal.

A 1977 trip to the south coast for a Division Three game at Portsmouth brought a positive result for the Shakers with a 1-1 draw in front of 10,861 supporters. Andy Rowland scored the Shakers' goal.

Division Three brought Brentford to Gigg Lane in 1988 where just 2,300 fans watched a 3-1 victory for the Shakers thanks to goals from Sammy McIlroy, Steve Elliott and a Liam Robinson penalty.

The full Bury side that afternoon was as follows: -

Simon Farnworth, Andy Hill, Phil Parkinson, Jamie Hoyland, Peter Valentine, Kenny Clements, David Lee, Liam Robinson, Steve Elliott, Sammy McIlroy, Terry Pashley

1994 brought Lincoln City to Gigg Lane for a Division Three (tier 4) game. Goals from Lenny Johnrose and David Pugh secured a 2-0 win for Bury with 3,139 supporters watching.

In the 2005/06 season, the Shakers introduced a new face into their League Two game against Darlington at Gigg Lane. The youngster had impressed then manager Chris Casper enough for him to be thrown into the first team for this game with the Quakers. Casper had seen the youngster progress through his youth team and his sudden debut for the first team surprised many of the 2,630 supporters attending that day.

His debut as a professional footballer was only 35 minutes old when he scored his first and the only goal of the game in a 1-0 victory.

Nicky Adams had become a Shaker...

The last recorded game on this day was in 2016 when the Shakers made the short trip to Spotland for a League One (tier 3) game with Rochdale. Dale won the game 2-0 with 5,344 supporters watching.

Games played on 15th October: