Youth Centre of Excellence History

Bury FC is a long established member of the Football League, with a proud history and traditions. One such tradition is the opportunity offered to youngsters through the perennially successful Centre of Excellence, which has paved the way for hundreds of youngsters to make their way into professional football over the years.

The current Youth and Centre of Excellence set-up is heading into its fourth season after Chorley-based businessman Ross Johnson came up with a rescue package in the summer of 2003 that saved the centre from closure due to Bury’s financial troubles. Since then, the entire age structure from under 9 to under 18 has gone from strength to strength, with major success at youth team level in 2003/04 when the managerial team of Chris Casper and Neil Hanks led their side to the title in the Umbro Isotonic Youth Alliance League Third Division (North). The club has also enjoyed great success in the now annual Lancashire Rose Bowl, when Bury’s Centre of Excellence sides take on their Rochdale counterparts in a series of May Day fixtures at Gigg Lane. Under the guidance of Chris Beech and Ryan Kidd, the youth department continues to go from strength to strength, with more young players expected to progress into the first team during the 2006/07 season.

You can read about some of the players to have come through Bury’s junior systems in years gone by if you click here.