A proposal to readmit Bury to League Two next season has been rejected by the English Football League 71 member clubs, the governing body has announced.
The Football League and its members decided instead at a meeting on Thursday to press ahead with a plan to return the league to 72 clubs by relegating only one side from the fourth tier at the end of the current campaign.
“During today’s meeting, the EFL and its member clubs considered and debated a number of options, with all clubs given the opportunity to air their views,” read a Football League statement. “The debate included consideration of the proposal submitted by the Bury FC Rescue Board for the club to be admitted to League Two under new ownership in season 2020-21.
“Following in-depth discussions, it became clear that the proposal did not have the necessary support and that EFL clubs favoured extending the existing principle of a reduction in relegation across all divisions as a means of returning to 72 clubs now and for the future.”
Bury were expelled from the Football League, after 125 years of continued service, at the end of last month due to the club’s financial collapse under owner, Steve Dale.