Gigg Lane

Gigg Lane stands in the Lancashire town of Bury, a football ground built in 1885 for Bury Football Club. It occupies a rectangular plot of land on Gigg Lane, leased from the Earl of Derby’s estate. The first match there, a friendly against Wigan A.F.C., ended 4–3 to the home side. One of the world’s oldest professional football venues, it has remained in continuous use except during wartime. The ground has four covered stands and became an all-seater stadium in 2000. The ground’s history includes notable milestones such as Bury’s 1894–95 Second Division title win, earned with a 4–2 victory over Manchester City at Gigg Lane. Its highest recorded attendance came on 9 January 1960, when 35,000 spectators watched an FA Cup tie against Bolton Wanderers. The stadium has also hosted other sports, including rugby league, serving as home to Swinton Lions for a decade. Floodlights were first used in 1889, with permanent pylons installed in 1953. Visitors to Gigg Lane find a compact stadium with four covered stands arranged around the pitch. The ground retains its historic character despite modern renovations. The Manchester Road End, where the record crowd gathered in 1960, remains a focal point of the ground. The pitch is surrounded by seating under canopies, offering clear sightlines from most areas. Outside, the surrounding streets reflect the working-class roots of Bury football. The stadium’s reopening in 2023 marked a return to competitive football after years of closure and administration.