Here's where Bury AFC will start next season after EFL expelled Bury two weeks before Portsmouth visit to Gigg Lane
Bury AFC, the phoenix club launched after Bury's expulsion from the Football League, will begin life next season in the 10th tier of English football.
The North West Counties Football League (NWCFL) has approved an application from Bury AFC for them to join the league next season.
Bury were expelled from the English Football League in August after failing to secure new ownership when a last-gasp takeover bid collapsed.
That saw Pompey’s then forthcoming trip to Gigg Lane in League One on Saturday, September 14, cancelled at relatively short notice.
And leaves the Blues, who themselves faced the real possibility of a new entity over the past decade, facing a blank weekend on April 25.
That’s after all league games involving the Shakers were taken off the calendar.
Today, though, the NWCFL confirmed that 11 clubs had applied for promotion to Step 6 (ninth and 10th tier) providing they meet the entry ground grade H criteria by March 31.
Nine of those clubs must finish in the top five of their respective Step 7 competitions.
However, new clubs Bury AFC and FC Isle of Man have been listed for inclusion to join the league.
A message posted on Bury AFC’s Twitter account read: ‘Bury AFC are listed below for inclusion (to the) North West Counties Football League for 2020/21.
‘This confirms our belief that we are the only team currently with an application in to play football in Bury next season. BRING. IT. ON.’
Pompey last played Bury on their way to lifting the Checkatrade Trophy last season.
They beat the Shakers 3-0 in the semi-final of the competition at Gigg Lane.