Annual loss is not all doom and gloom - Bury Times - Friday, 08 December 1995:
BURY FOOTBALL CLUB is still counting the cost of a failed promotion attempt. Wembley defeat at the hands of Chesterfield in May not only left the Shakers in Division Three but out of pocket. Shareholders will be told of a £378,000 loss when they gather for the annual meeting on December 21. The deficit is the first for four years and can be attributed, almost entirely, to a big hike in wages and a dramatic reduction in transfer income. Payroll costs rose from £620,00 to £790,000 as Bury built a big. experienced squad that they hoped would clinch a place in Division Two. The accompanying 'no-sell' policy meant that incoming transfer fees plummeted from £240,000 the previous season to just £25,000. The loss meant that major shareholder Hugh Eaves was again forced to dig deep into his pocket. He put an additional £290,000 into the coffers and his loans have now risen from £1.39 million to £1.68 million. Again he has not imposed a time limit for repayment and the loans are interest free. London-based stockbroker Mr Eaves may have been facing an even bigger drain on his resources had it not been for other areas of the club performing so well. The commercial department, headed by Neville Neville, and the social club both doubled their profits on the previous twelve months. Bury's relationship with Swinton helped swell takings on the social side and there continued to be steady rental income from both the rugby league club and Premiership club Manchester United who used Gigg Lane for some of their reserve games. Despite the gloomy set of figures, there is still great optimism around Gigg Lane and the club is aiming to spend another £850,000 - much of it grant aided- on the ground. That spending will take the total outlay on upgrading spectator facilities to more than £3 million. The ground, once on the verge of being knocked down, is now worth £4.681 million and is a lasting tribute to Mr Eaves, chairman Terry Robinson and the board of directors. The capital commitments include a plan to join the Main and Manchester Road stands with a community facility that will be placed on stilts. It will be big enough to house matchday and private functions. There is also to a firm pledge to put seats into the Cemetery End and to install hospitality boxes in that part of the ground. However, the £850,000 figure doesn't include the cost of those boxes.