Bury Council and Bury FC have agreed a unique partnership which aims to boost the health of the borough’s residents.

The new two year deal, starting in the 2012/13 season, will build on the successful work already being done by the club in schools.

But it will also mean new projects being developed that will benefit many more sections of society, encouraging socially excluded groups, minority groups, the disadvantaged, and those with poor health and physical conditions to engage in sporting activities via Bury FC.

The work will be commissioned by the council’s adult care services and the agreement is for a two-year period at a total cost of £56,000 per annum. In addition, the Club will continue to display the Council’s logo on first team strips.

The deal was formally agreed by councillors at last night’s (Wednesday 21 March) meeting of the Executive. There is an option to extend this partnership in 2014.
Councillor Mike Connolly, leader of Bury Council, said: “We are delighted to continue in partnership with Bury FC, given the club’s excellent record of working within the community where it brings its own successful brand of sport in the community programmes which are all about raising aspiration and leading healthy lifestyles. This extended relationship offers good value for money for local taxpayers as we are benefiting from an already strong community based infrastructure with which we can now develop further.”
And Cllr Rishi Shori, executive member for adult care, health and housing, said: "This proposal builds on an already mature and successful relationship and weaves in further and more ambitious projects that aim to reach and engage vulnerable individuals who would benefit the most from this unique health and social care partnership.”
Mark Catlin, director of Bury FC, said: “We are delighted to be able to further advance the work that we are already undertaking throughout the Bury area by receiving this backing from the council.

“In recent years we have tried to position ourselves as the club of the community, and this new council led agenda further expands on the incredible success that we are currently achieving throughout the town’s schools, and specifically targets areas of our community that perhaps have not to date felt able to attend, or interact, with Bury FC.

“With the infrastructure that we already have in place we are perfectly positioned to help promote and encourage the council’s objective of a healthier and more socially inclusive borough, goals that are shared equally between both parties to this agreement.”