The Energy Check Stadium at Gigg Lane – Bury

The Gigg Lane football ground was completely rebuilt in the 1990’s with the Cemetery End being the last stand to be completed in 1999. The new stands which are all covered, have vastly improved the overall look of the ground, whilst at the same time making it an all seated one. The only real disappointment is three of the stands contain a number of supporting pillars. On one side is the Main Stand. This all seated stand has its spectators area raised up above pitch level meaning that supporters have to climb a small set of steps to enter it. Part of the front has a small box-like structure, with a number of windows running along the front. It particularly caught my eye, as with the windows being almost at pitch level, I wondered just how many broken windows they get each season? Oddly the players tunnel and team dugouts are set to one side of the halfway line, suggesting that at some point the pitch has been moved from its original position.

Opposite is the Les Hart Stand, a single-tiered affair which extends around to meet the Cemetery End, enclosing that corner of the stadium. In this corner, there is a small Police control box suspended beneath the roof plus an electronic scoreboard. The Les Hart Stand also has a small TV gantry, plus there are a number of supporting pillars running across the stand that may impede your view.

The Cemetery End itself is a fairly simple covered seated stand. At the Manchester Road End is a larger covered seated stand that is given to away fans. It is a fair size however, it does not run the full width of the pitch, with one side ending with the edge of the penalty box. There is also an electric scoreboard at this end. The stadium is completed with a set of modern looking floodlights.

During 2017 the ground was renamed ‘The Energy Check Stadium at Gigg Lane’ in a corporate sponsorship deal.

Away fans are housed in the Ratio Law Stand at one end of the stadium, where just over 2,000 away supporters can be accommodated. Normally fans enjoy a good view of the action. However, there is a row of supporting pillars about a third of the way up the stand, which could cause problems if your team has a large following. The stand is also situated quite well back from the pitch and is slightly below pitch level. The catering is your standard football fayre of Cheeseburgers (£3.50), Hot Dogs (£3.80), Sausage Rolls (£2.80) and a range of Pukka Pies including Chicken Balti (£3.20). My only grumble was the archaic looking toilets in this relatively modern stand. On the whole, however, it was a relaxed and normally a good day out, although sometimes lacking in atmosphere. Keep a lookout for the unusual looking team mascot, it is not often the Police are represented, albeit as a furry dog.

The Club have announced that they are exploring with landowners and the local council, possible sites for a new stadium, with a capacity around 20,000 to be built. We shall wait and see what happens next!

There are a few pubs around the ground and along Manchester Road in particular. There is also a supporters club at the ground, which normally allows in small numbers of away fans, for a small fee (£1). Geoff Blanthorne a visiting Tranmere Rovers fan adds; ‘The Bury set-up is a very friendly one, with a nice supporters club where I enjoyed a pre-match drink together with a reasonably priced lunch whilst watching the early match on a big screen.’

My pick of the pubs on Manchester Road, is the Swan & Cemetery, around a ten minute walk from the ground. This Thwaites pub, is quite comfortable, serves good hand pulled beer and has a separate restaurant area. Nearer to the ground is the Staff Of Life pub, which is a basic pub serving hand pulled Lee’s. Neil Le Milliere a visiting Exeter City supporter recommends the Rose & Crown on Manchester Old Road. ‘It’s not the biggest pub but it was very friendly; served a variety of real ales and is only a ten minute walk away from the ground.’ Otherwise, Bury town centre is around a 15 minute walk away where there are plenty of pubs to be found including a Wetherspoons pub called the ‘Art Picture House’ on Haymarket Street. Alcohol is available to away fans inside the ground albeit in plastic bottles or cans of Carlsberg Lager, a Bitter and Kingstone Press Cider (all £3.70).

Marvel at the magnificent Yellow Wall at a Borussia Dortmund home match!

The famous huge terrace leads the atmosphere at the Signal Iduna Park every time the men in yellow are playing. Games at Dortmund are an 81,000 sell-out throughout the season. However, Nickes.Com can put together your perfect dream trip to see Borussia Dortmund play fellow Bundesliga legends VfB Stuttgart in April 2018. We will arrange a quality hotel for you as well as coveted match tickets to the big game. Prices will only rise as matchday looms closer so don’t delay! Click here for details and online booking.

Whether you are a small group planning a dream sports break, or seeking wonderful hospitality for your company clients, Nickes.Com has 20 years of experience in providing unforgettable sporting trips. e offer a whole host of packages for Bundesliga, La Liga and all major leagues and cup competitions.

Book your next dream trip with Nickes.Com!

Leave the M66 at Junction 3. Take the left hand exit at the junction and follow this road until you come to the junction with the A56 Manchester Road. At this T-junction which has traffic lights, turn right towards Bury. You will pass the Swan & Cemetery pub on your left and then some playing fields. At the end of the playing fields just before the traffic lights and a couple of pubs, turn right into Gigg Lane for the ground. However please note that Gigg Lane is normally closed on match days and the ground itself is not easily seen from the A56.

Adam Hodson provides some alternative directions from Junction 2 of the M66, from where the ground is signposted; ‘Take the A58 towards Bury and at the second set of traffic Lights, turn left onto Heywood Street (B6219).  Go Straight over a mini roundabout and at the next roundabout, turn right onto Wellington Road (still the B6219).  Follow this road to the end, where you will come to a T-junction. Turn left onto the A56 (signposted Manchester). After passing through a set of traffic lights, turn Left into Gigg Lane for the ground’.

Car Parking

There is no parking available at the ground itself for visiting fans. Nearby at Phoenix House on Brierley Street (BL9 9HN) there is parking at a cost of £5. Please note that this car park closes one hour after the game has ended. Access at this time is via the pedestrian gate as the main gates are closed (these gates are automatic and will open as you drive towards them to exit the car park) Otherwise, street parking, although beware of a residents only parking scheme in operation in the nearby streets, which operates on both matchdays end evenings, with wardens patrolling the area. There is also the option of renting a private driveway near in the local area via YourParkingSpace.co.uk.

Post Code for SAT NAV: BL9 9HR

There is no railway station in Bury itself, so most fans travelling by train are likely to end up at one of the Manchester stations. Bury Metrolink is served by trams from Manchester Victoria & Piccadilly railway stations. Bury Metrolink Station is about a 10-15 minute walk from the ground.

Head up the escalator from the platform and then left proceeding through the Bus Station. On exiting the bus station turn left and go across the the traffic lights signposted (A58) onto Knowsley Street. At the end  of Knowsley Street, turn left onto Manchester Road signposted A56 Manchester. On reaching set of traffic lights with the Pack Horse Hotel, then on just passing the hotel bear left onto a small narrow street called Heaton Fold. At the bottom of this street turn left onto Gigg Lane and the ground is a short distance down on the right. Thanks to Adam Hodson for supplying the directions.

Jon Hall adds; ‘Alternatively bus numbers; 90, 92, 135 and 137 run every ten minutes down Manchester Road past the end of Gigg Lane’.

Booking train tickets in advance will normally save you money! Find train times, prices and book tickets with Trainline. Visit the website below to see how much you can save on the price of your tickets:

Remember if travelling by train then you can normally save on the cost of fares by booking in advance.

Visit the the trainline website to see how much you can save on the price of train tickets.

Click on the trainline logo below:

The Club operate a category system (A, B & C) for matchday pricing, whereby the most popular games (Category A) cost more to watch. Category A prices are shown below with other categories in brackets:

All areas of the Gigg Lane Ground:

Adults £20
Over 64’s/Under 23’s £14
Under 18’s £10
Under 12’s £5, (Must be accompanied by an adult)
Under 5’s Free
Family Tickets: Adult + 1 Under 16 £20 (Additional Under 17’s £5)

Official Programme: £2

Bolton Wanderers and Rochdale.

Bury FC fixture list (takes you to the BBC Sports Website)

If you require hotel accommodation in Bury or Manchester then first try a hotel booking service provided by Booking.com. They offer all types of accommodation to suit all tastes and pockets from; Budget Hotels, Traditional Bed & Breakfast establishments to Five Star Hotels and Serviced Apartments. Plus their booking system is straightforward and easy to use. Just input the dates below that you wish to stay and then select from the map the hotel of interest to get more information. The map is centered to the football ground. However, you can drag the map around or click on +/- to reveal more hotels in Manchester City Centre or further afield.

For details of disabled facilities and club contact at the ground please visit the relevant page on the  Level Playing Field website.

Record Attendance

35,000 v Bolton Wanderers
FA Cup 3rd Round, 9th January 1960.

Modern All Seated Attendance Record

9,115 v Burnley, 26th December 1999

Average Attendance

2018-2019: 4,044 (League Two)
2017-2018: 3,931 (League One)
2016-2017: 3,845 (League One)

Official Web Site: www.buryfc.co.uk

Unofficial Web Site: Bury Mad (Footy Mad Network)

If anything is incorrect or you have something to add, please e-mail me at: [email protected] and I’ll update the guide.