Bury Town FC vs Aveley FC
Saturday 3rd November 2018
Ram Meadow
 |
| Bury Town |
Bury Town History
The club was established by William Lake Initially named Bury St Edmunds Football Club, the first committee of the club elected to choose royal blue as the club's colours. In 1885 they were one of eleven founder members of the Suffolk FA and voted to change their name to Bury Town. In 1895 the club's name reverted to Bury St Edmunds, then to Bury United in 1908 and back to Bury Town in 1923.
The club joined the Norfolk & Suffolk League in 1899, but left midway through the 1901–02 season. They subsequently became members of the South East Anglian League in 1904 and finished bottom of the league in 1905–06. They rejoined the Norfolk & Suffolk League in 1920, leaving again in 1929 and rejoining again in 1932. During this time they also played in the Essex & Suffolk Border League. In 1935 the club moved into senior football by becoming founder members of the Eastern Counties League. They gained their first honour when they won the Suffolk Senior Cup in 1936–37, a trophy they retained for the next two seasons. 1937–38 saw the club achieve its best pre-war league position of runners-up, before the competition was suspended due to the outbreak of World War II. Bury Town won the Suffolk Senior Cup for the fourth time in 1945 before resuming league action in 1946.
In 1958–59 Bury Town became the first ever winners of the Suffolk Premier Cup and went on to retain the trophy for the next three seasons. In 1961–62 the Eastern Counties League Cup was won for the first time and then in 1963–64 the club won the Eastern Counties League Championship for the only time in its history, recording a "treble" by winning the League Cup and the Suffolk Premier Cup for the fifth time. This success prompted the club to join the Metropolitan League in 1964 when once again, they won the Suffolk Premier Cup. During the 1965–66 campaign, Bury Town recorded yet another “treble” winning the Metropolitan League Championship, the Metropolitan League Professional Cup and for the seventh time, the Suffolk Premier Cup. In 1967–68 the Blues won the Metropolitan League Cup for the only time and finished runners-up in the league.
The Metropolitan League title was won for the second and final time in 1968–69 when the club reached the first round proper of the FA Cup for the first time in their history; 3,000 spectators saw the Blues hold Third Division leaders Bournemouth to a goalless home draw at Kings Road, but the replay at Dean Court was lost 3–0. The 1970–71 season was the club's last in the Metropolitan League when they finished as runners-up and also lifted the Suffolk Premier Cup for the eighth occasion. In 1971 the club switched to the Southern League but poor results prompted a return to the Eastern Counties League in 1976. A year later they won the Suffolk Premier Cup again.
In 1986–87, which proved to be Bury Town's last season in the Eastern Counties League, the club enjoyed another good run in the FA Cup reaching the fourth qualifying round. The Blues were drawn away to Football Conference leaders Enfield and forced a 0–0 draw before 842 spectators. A record crowd of over 2,500 saw the visitors win the replay at Ram Meadow. In 1987 Bury rejoined the Southern League and experienced mixed fortunes in the Southern Division. The 1995–96 season saw the club accepting a transfer across to the Midland Division. After completion of only one season in the Midland Division, Bury Town were relegated back to the Eastern Counties League. Despite relegation Bury won the Suffolk Premier Cup, beating Woodbridge Town in the final.
Bury saw little success until the 2004–05 season with the club finishing second in the league and winning the Westwood Shield, as well as reaching the quarter-finals of the FA Vase for the second time. The following season saw the club finish second in the league again, allowing them promotion to Division One North of the Isthmian League, as well as reaching the semi-final of the FA Vase. Two seasons later the club were transferred into Division One Midlands of the Southern League as part of a geographical reorganisation. In the same season they reached the first round proper of the FA Cup for the first time in forty years, losing 4–2 away to Conference North club Alfreton Town.[8] The 2009–10 season ended with the club winning 3–0 on the final day of the season to claim the title,[9] earning promotion to the seventh level of English football, where they were placed in the Isthmian League Premier Division. The following season they won the Premier Cup for a tenth time, defeating Needham Market 2–0 in the final, and also finished third in the league, qualifying for the play-offs, where they lost 2–1 at home to Lowestoft Town. In 2011–12 the club won the Isthmian League Cup. After finishing bottom of the Premier Division in 2014–15 season they were relegated to Division One North.
The club joined the Norfolk & Suffolk League in 1899, but left midway through the 1901–02 season. They subsequently became members of the South East Anglian League in 1904 and finished bottom of the league in 1905–06. They rejoined the Norfolk & Suffolk League in 1920, leaving again in 1929 and rejoining again in 1932. During this time they also played in the Essex & Suffolk Border League. In 1935 the club moved into senior football by becoming founder members of the Eastern Counties League. They gained their first honour when they won the Suffolk Senior Cup in 1936–37, a trophy they retained for the next two seasons. 1937–38 saw the club achieve its best pre-war league position of runners-up, before the competition was suspended due to the outbreak of World War II. Bury Town won the Suffolk Senior Cup for the fourth time in 1945 before resuming league action in 1946.
In 1958–59 Bury Town became the first ever winners of the Suffolk Premier Cup and went on to retain the trophy for the next three seasons. In 1961–62 the Eastern Counties League Cup was won for the first time and then in 1963–64 the club won the Eastern Counties League Championship for the only time in its history, recording a "treble" by winning the League Cup and the Suffolk Premier Cup for the fifth time. This success prompted the club to join the Metropolitan League in 1964 when once again, they won the Suffolk Premier Cup. During the 1965–66 campaign, Bury Town recorded yet another “treble” winning the Metropolitan League Championship, the Metropolitan League Professional Cup and for the seventh time, the Suffolk Premier Cup. In 1967–68 the Blues won the Metropolitan League Cup for the only time and finished runners-up in the league.
The Metropolitan League title was won for the second and final time in 1968–69 when the club reached the first round proper of the FA Cup for the first time in their history; 3,000 spectators saw the Blues hold Third Division leaders Bournemouth to a goalless home draw at Kings Road, but the replay at Dean Court was lost 3–0. The 1970–71 season was the club's last in the Metropolitan League when they finished as runners-up and also lifted the Suffolk Premier Cup for the eighth occasion. In 1971 the club switched to the Southern League but poor results prompted a return to the Eastern Counties League in 1976. A year later they won the Suffolk Premier Cup again.
In 1986–87, which proved to be Bury Town's last season in the Eastern Counties League, the club enjoyed another good run in the FA Cup reaching the fourth qualifying round. The Blues were drawn away to Football Conference leaders Enfield and forced a 0–0 draw before 842 spectators. A record crowd of over 2,500 saw the visitors win the replay at Ram Meadow. In 1987 Bury rejoined the Southern League and experienced mixed fortunes in the Southern Division. The 1995–96 season saw the club accepting a transfer across to the Midland Division. After completion of only one season in the Midland Division, Bury Town were relegated back to the Eastern Counties League. Despite relegation Bury won the Suffolk Premier Cup, beating Woodbridge Town in the final.
Bury saw little success until the 2004–05 season with the club finishing second in the league and winning the Westwood Shield, as well as reaching the quarter-finals of the FA Vase for the second time. The following season saw the club finish second in the league again, allowing them promotion to Division One North of the Isthmian League, as well as reaching the semi-final of the FA Vase. Two seasons later the club were transferred into Division One Midlands of the Southern League as part of a geographical reorganisation. In the same season they reached the first round proper of the FA Cup for the first time in forty years, losing 4–2 away to Conference North club Alfreton Town.[8] The 2009–10 season ended with the club winning 3–0 on the final day of the season to claim the title,[9] earning promotion to the seventh level of English football, where they were placed in the Isthmian League Premier Division. The following season they won the Premier Cup for a tenth time, defeating Needham Market 2–0 in the final, and also finished third in the league, qualifying for the play-offs, where they lost 2–1 at home to Lowestoft Town. In 2011–12 the club won the Isthmian League Cup. After finishing bottom of the Premier Division in 2014–15 season they were relegated to Division One North.
Journey
We were unable to attend the match so I am indebited to Mick Daly who made some brilliant notes and took a few photos to allow us to publish a meaningful blog - so over to Mick
We left Parkside in the mini-bus at 11:50 and after a pick up in Brentwood and a refuelling stop headed up the M11 with 8 of the players and 6 committee members and supporters.
A clear run saw us arrive at Ram Meadow arund 1.35pm - 1hr 45 mins for the 80 mile journey.
Ticket Prices
Adults £9
Concessions £5
Children 10-16 £2
Under 10's Free
This is an excellent pricing structure and is slightly cheaper than most of the away grounds we've visited this season
Programme
Our usual in-depth analysis will need to wait for the weekend as I haven't got my hands on a copy yet but Mick very kindly picked us up a copy for our collection - must remember to pay for it on Saturday.
Club Shop
The last couple of clubs we've visited have been a bit lacking in the shop department but this one was next to the gate and Mick purchased a pin badge for Sam's collection for £4 (the most expensive one so far this season)
Food
Parkside Potts indulged in a burger and chips which he reported was nice and at a reasonable price of £3 for the burger and £1.50 for the chips.
Unfortunately the pies had sold out by half-time so Mick had to settle for chips and a tea which were ok
Bar
The bar was friendly and welcoming and had the advantage of two TV's showing the Man Utd Premier League match on sky.
An added bonus was the presence of a hand pump delivering Flander's Field - a specially brewed Greene King ale for rememberance day - not a bad pint. Sadly this had sold out by 5pm
Ground
A good grass pitch bordered by a quirky looking stand and changing rooms on one side and a low stand on the other. A sugar refinery could be seen behind the trees at one end and the town and abbey at the other
Travelling Support
Due to various circumstances the travelling Miller's army was considerably lower than normal - a combination of work, closure of the dartford tunnel, illness and other unforseen issues had prevented a significant proportion of the Sons Of Aveley from attending.
Respect to Pottsy, Fred & Family and Old Man Pete for achieving what others failed to do.
The Match
A very well observed minutes silence for the Leicester helicopter tragedy took place before kick off.
Lineup
1. David Hughes
2. Jake Pitty
3. Sam Mvemba
4. James Love
5. Connor Witherspoon
6. Sam Cross
7. Shad Ngandu
8. Andy Freeman
9. Tom Richardson
10. Jason Raad
11. Alex Akrofi
Subs: Gibbs, Doyle, Gard
Subs Not Used: Reid, Martin
Kick-Off
05: Bury have a couple of half chances but the Millers defence is able t oclear
07: A chance for Bury but Ollie Hughes drags his shot wide of the upright
20: YELLOW CARD - Tommy Hughes for a late tackle on Sam Mvemba
26: Freeman plays in Akrofi who slots it past the Bury keeper but t ono avail as the lino raises his flag
29: Jake Chambers bens a dangerous free kick into the wall and Aveley clear
36: Jason Raad has a curling shot well saved by the keeper
45+1: Tom Richardson is played in by Raad but his snap shot is straight at the keeper
Half-Time - A fairly uneventful first half sees the Miller's holding the hosts 0-0
Second Half
50: Jason Raad curls a free kick over the wall but agonisingly it creeps an inch the wrong side of the post.
64: SUB - Jason Raad goes off to be replaced by a fit again Freddie Gard
65: GOAL - Freeman collects the ball in the box and fires it past the Bury keeper - Bury 0-1 Aveley
67: Freddie Gard has a go from the edge of the ares but puts it wide
70: GOAL - Free kick from Sam Cross rebounds off the wall straight to Tom Richardson who taps it in - Bury 0-2 Aveley
75: SUB - George Doyle replaces Shad and Harry Gibbs comes on for Sam Mvemba
83: GOAL - Chambers-Shaw volleys int othe bottom corner to get Bury back into the game - Bury 1-2 Aveley
88: RED CARD - Alex Akrofi is shown a straight red for an off the ball incident - He'll miss the FA Trophy game on Saturday against Beaconsfield
90+5: RED CARD - Millers down to 9 men as James Love sees red for a second yellow late tackle. Another player to miss the cup tie next week
Full Time: Millers hold on for an historic win - Final Score Bury 1-2 Aveley
Fantastic result and the fans go wild behind the goal - All the lads come over to celebrate with the Millers who made the 160 mile round trip
Post-Match
Great atmosphere in the bar afterwards, everyone sitting together and chatting
Journey Home
A clear run sees the minibus arrive back at Parkside at 7.30pm. A cracking day out for those who were able to attend.
Next up we have Beaconsfield Town at home in the FA Trophy on Saturday afternoon.
Many many thanks to Mick who took the trouble to not only collated enough notes to let us write the blog but also got his hands on a programme and badge for Sam's collection
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