Home victories over Stockport Town in the league and Burscough in the Isuzu FA Vase second qualifying round take our unbeaten run to 17 games. And that’s not to mention third place in the NW Counties Premier Division league table with games in hand.
But the Shakers made many fans shake with fear by conceding a late, late goal in the one-sided game against Town on Tuesday. Rustam Stepans had scored from a penalty on 55 minutes, and a second goal from Sam Coughlan on the stroke of 90 finally seemed to have clinched it.
But three minutes later Harley Monaghan sparked a scary ending but a satisfactory 2-1 result.
Goals from Ruben Jerome, Ben Hockenhull and Rustam Stepans made the Isuzu FA Vase second qualifying round win against Burscough on Saturday a complete contrast. It seemed all over by half-time. And so it was: 3-0.
Highlights and post-match interviews from Tuesday’s win are available on our YouTube channel (links below)
Our excellent run provides an excellent springboard for our dive into the deep waters of the game against local neighbours, and good friends, Radcliffe FC. This will be the first time the two sides will have met competitively, following numerous friendly fixtures over the years. Many Bury fans heading the short trip across the borough, arriving in familiar surroundings at the Neuven Stadium. Find your full match details below
In Opposition – Radcliffe
Radcliffe Football Club came into being as Radcliffe Borough in 1949. The ‘Borough’ part of the name was dropped in 2018, following a change in the boardroom and ownership of the club in 2016. The investment that came with it has transformed the club into a venue suitable for the Vanarama National League North, which it reached for the first time this season.
Last season ‘Boro’ blasted to the championship, with a streak of victories that left the team from the Neuven Stadium 10-points ahead of their nearest rivals.
It’s not been a good start in the Vanarama National League North however. They’re currently bottom: played 8, won 0, drawn 4, lost 4.
The 2-1 away win against Warrington in the Emirates FA Cup second qualifying round will have given morale at the club a hefty boost. And they will be hoping for another when they take on us at the Neuven Stadium in the third qualifying round this weekend.
The game will have special resonance for 37-year-old Nicky Adams, who played for Bury on three-separate occassions during his long career in league football. Also featuring on the squad list at the Neuven Stadium are former Bury-loanee, Tom Walker and former academy graduate forward Anthony Dudley.
On the bench will be Shakers supporter Anthony ‘Jonno’ Johnson (pictured above), who is joint-manager of Radcliffe with colleague Bernard Morley. The two have been managers at the Neuven Stadium since 2023, and were the key ingredient towards that storming performance in the league last season.
The game has however been over-shadowed with the sad news of the passing of Radcliffe Chairman, Paul Hilton, last weekend at the age of just 43. Paul was part of the transformed club over the last eight years and the driving-force behind the club as it stands today.
He had been in touch with the club around the arrangements for this game just last week and we were deeply-shocked to hear the news on Saturday morning.
We held a minutes applause for Paul ahead of our game at Gigg Lane last Saturday (viewed left) and expect the same recognition to be held ahead of this weekend’s game, as Radcliffe take part in their first game since Paul’s death.
Tickets
This game is SOLD OUT & ALL TICKET for AWAY Supporters.
Tickets can be collected from main reception between 1pm & 7pm on Thursday, and between 1pm & 5pm on Friday.
Please show your QR code to collect your ticket.
Entering the Ground: Our fans have been allocated the Fell End and surrounding areas, entering through turnstile C at the bottom end of the ground.
Entry to the ground will be by production of a valid ticket only, there will be no exceptions to this rule, the Club reserves the right to refuse entry.
You must retain your ticket throughout the match and if required, produce it upon request by a member of the Security Team. Failure to produce a valid ticket will result in immediate ejection.
Travel & Parking
Address: Neuven Stadium, Colshaw Close E, Radcliffe, Manchester M26 3PE (WhatThreeWords – ///energetic.crowned.kicks
Public Transport: The 98 Bus is the only direct bus route, running from Bury Town Centre to outside the Neuven Stadium.
Nearest Tram Stop: Radcliffe. After arriving at Radcliffe Tram Station, turn left out of the car park and walk straight to the top of the road (Spring Lane) at the traffic lights, turn right pass the Royal Oak Pub and follow the road until the next set of traffic lights near Tesco. Turn Right and head up Ainsworth Road, until you reach the Victoria Pub. Turn left onto Lowe Street and the Neuven Stadium is at the end of the road on the right turning into Colshaw Close East. The journey takes around 20 minutes.
Driving: M60 junction 17 follow signs for Whitefield and Bury. Take A665 to Radcliffe via by-pass to Bolton Road. Signposted to turn right into Unsworth Street. The Neuven Stadium is on the left approximately half a mile turning into Colshaw Close East. Enter M26 3PE for those using Sat Navs.
Parking: There is no parking for fans on the Neuven Stadium’s ground, alternative parking is available at the Cricket Ground which is a 5-minute walk away (link above) or street parking, obviously goes without saying please be respectful to our neighbours and do not park inappropriately and/or in front of driveways.
Ground Facilities: This fixture will be segregated between home & away supporters. Visiting supporters will be required to head to the Fell End of the ground to gain admission.
There will be a food van which serves the likes of chips, burgers, hot dogs etc, hot and cold drinks. There is an outside bar which serves a range of beers.
Match Coverage & Live Stream
If you are unable to make the game, we’ll have all the live coverage across our media platforms.
Live Stream: For this game, we will have no live stream. Keep up-to-date with all our video content via the club’s YouTube Channel. Click to subscribe and never miss highlights and match reaction across the season.
Audio Commentary: Roch Valley Radio will be providing commentary for this game. Click here ahead of kick-off to listen live. Audio commentary will be provided for every game of the season, so you will never miss a piece of the action.
Social Media: Our team will also bring you in-depth text commentary via the club ‘MatchDay Live‘ Twitter feed, with team news and half time and full time updates available also on Facebook and feel like you are there with our match galleries and imagery available over on Instagram.
Whatever the weather, wherever you are across the globe, we have you covered.
Up the Shakers!
