Bury FC

On This Day...3rd October

From the 29 games played on this day, the following games stand out for various reasons.

The very first game took place on 3rd October 1885, the club's very first year of existence. A 3-3 draw away at Accrington Reserves with the goals being credited to Rostron, Hamer and a Scrimmage.

The 3rd October marks a special day in our FA Cup history, as on this day in 1891, the club took part in its very first FA Cup game. A first round qualifying game at home to Witton Albion brought success with a 3-1 win with George Bourn scoring two goals, plus a third from Bob Conway. 3,500 supporters were on-hand that day to witness the Shakers' first steps into the now famous competition, a competition that would bring so much success and history to the club some nine years later.

A 1914 Second Division game against Leicester Fosse at Leicester brought further success with a 3-1 win in front of 7,000 supporters. Edward Connor, John McKnight and Alec Mercer scored the goals that matter for the Shakers.

1931 saw the Shakers on the road again, this time a short trip to Bradford City for a Division Two game. 20,000 supporters were on the gate as the Shakers romped to a 3-1 victory with goals from Arthur Eggleston (2) and Duncan Lindsay.

1959 saw the Shakers make the long trip to the Dell and a Third Division game with Southampton. It proved to be a successful trip following a 2-0 victory. Bill Calder and Johnny Hubbard go the Shakers goals in front of a crowd of 18,160.

Scunthorpe United visited Gigg Lane in 1968 for a Division Three game, where a crowd of 5,932 witnessed a seven-goal thriller with the Shakers coming out with a 4-3 win. Alec Lindsay, Bobby Owen, Alex Dawson and Bobby Collins all finding the back of the net.

The full side that day was as follows: -

Neil Ramsbottom, Roy Parnell, Hugh Tinney, Jimmy Kerr, Brian Turner, Alec Lindsay, Greg Farrell, Alex Dawson, Bobby Owen, Bobby Collins, Alan Tyrer. Sub: Ray Parry

Manchester City visited Gigg Lane in 1972 for a Third Round League Cup tie. With 16,614 supporters attending, goals from George Hamstead and John Murray secured a then famous win and a fourth-round tie with Chelsea at Gigg Lane.

The main image above shows a John Murray free kick taken during this game, with the programme for the game shown below:

1995 brought Sheffield United to Gigg Lane in the second round of the Coca Cola Cup. Following a 2-1 defeat at Bramall Lane in the 1st Leg, the game swung the Shakers' way with a 4-2 victory thanks to goals from Phil Stant (2), Mark Carter and David Johnson. Bury met Reading in the third round – which in itself turned into an event with a pitch fork becoming the star attraction.

The last recorded game on this day took place last season and the Shakers' Checkatrade Trophy visit to Ewood Park, where a Harry Bunn goal – his first for the club – claimed a 1-0 win at Ewood Park.

Games played on 3rd October: