Fans slam wrong club over partnership with ‘rival’
Following criticism for its partnership with Norwich City, a Suffolk football squad that works closely with Ipswich Town has separated itself from a team with the same name.
The Norfolk club’s academy and Bury Town Community FC have partnered to “create new opportunities for players, volunteers and coaches” across the two counties.
At the Bury St Edmunds Leisure Centre, Norwich City’s football development section currently teaches young football players with Uefa-qualified coaches.
Nevertheless, supporters sent “negative social media posts and emails directly to the club” after assuming the collaboration was with Bury Town FC, a semi-professional team.
“Different club”
Others called the “move” “disgusting,” “embarrassing,” and “ridiculous,” and others promised to no longer support the Isthmian League North Division team.
An image of a group of men holding a blue and white Bury Town FC scarf was posted along with the news of the cooperation between Bury Town Community FC and Norwich City.
Bury Town FC’s management has now made clear their stance, reminding supporters that they are not collaborating with Ipswich Town’s most ardent adversaries.
“Bury Town FC is a separate club, run by a separate management committee,” the statement read. No professional team, including Norwich City FC, has a partnership with [us].
By regularly holding events for the Ipswich Town Foundation at our Ram Meadow ground, we can state that Bury Town FC and Ipswich Town FC have a good relationship.
“We also have a player on loan from the Ipswich Town Academy and our manager continues to work closely with Ipswich Town and their academy staff.”
The club also stated that prior to the announcement, its directors were unaware of any collaborations between Bury Town Community FC and the Norwich City academy.
Additionally, it stated that the club’s academy is delivered through its sole “formal partnership” with West Suffolk College and Culford School.
Ben Oxley, the chairman of Bury Town Community FC, expressed his happiness with the collaboration with Norwich prior to the criticism.
“This partnership will undoubtedly strengthen the community club, expand our audience, and open up new opportunities,” he continued.
“As a registered charity, we rely heavily on volunteers and the goodwill of our sponsors so access to this kind of support will help us greatly.”
“A big step forwards” is how Jake Swan, Norwich City’s head of regional academy recruitment, characterized the partnership.
“Bury Town Community FC is an exciting place with some very dedicated staff and we look forward to working together,” he stated.
For comment, Bury Town Community FC was contacted.
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