There may now be a chance for Bolton even if there's less optimism about Bury's plight but is this just the tip of the iceberg?
Until the vast explosion of wealth through mega tv deals there were some top tier clubs struggling.
The vast difference between the prem and the top levels of the EFL makes clubs risk everything in pursuit of a dream. The effect cascades down the leagues to leagues one and two, transfers and running costs including wages (even if miniscule compared to the prem) are all affected and clubs risk bad owners who come with false promises. The problem isn't confined to Bury and Bolton but they may be only the first of many to bow to the inevitable.
It's not a problem that's suddenly appeared, the EFL have had dodgy supervision for years, Leeds' current owners for example aren't without fault, it was always coming. Whether just better supervision is the answer i'm not so sure, should we really keep every club even - just because they were founded in Victorian times?
Is it not better if some up and coming and perhaps better financed conference clubs become league clubs quicker or would the EFL benefit from fewer clubs?
The pyramid need not be materially affected if others take their place but perhaps only the better run clubs would be higher up. There would still be the same opportunity for buyers to step in if their plans were credible.
Sad though it is, should struggling clubs be allowed to go to the wall if replaced by better clubs? It's desperate for the supporters involved - and you can absolutely identify with that, but if a club is run badly and losing money with only asset strippers or more dodgy owners interested, is it not an inevitability hard for anyone to stop?
It needn't be quite the end of the road for Bury fans even if they do leave the league and the ground sold off for houses to pay debts. Two clubs namely Accrington Stanley and AFC Wimbledon could provide parts of a template they may be able to follow.
I hope they can re-form and prosper following the example of nearby Accrington Stanley who went bust in the 1950's I think. They were a North West Counties side (or similar way below the conference) in the 80's.
AFC Wimbledon, a fans club that was formed - following the demise of Wimbledon FC and the loss of Plough Lane to the developers with their lleague franchise being taken over by Milton Keynes Dons - is another example of what fans can do.
Football has always been a business even if it means so much more to the fans.
