Former Bury FC owner charged with fraud appears in court

Steven Dale and his son Christian Dale appeared before Chester Magistrates’ Court yesterday (March 19).

The 70-year-old is alleged to have committed fraud by false representation relating to a £50,000 Bounce Back Loan for Bury FC Heritage Ltd in February 2021.

Dale, of Heath Rise, Whitmore, Staffordshire, is also charged with failing to keep, preserve or deliver up adequate accounting records under the Companies Act 2006 and Insolvency Act 1986 for The Bury Football Club Company Limited and Dale Acquisitions Ltd.

His son, Christian Dale, 41, of the same address, is charged with the same offences under the Companies Act 2006 and Insolvency Act 1986 in relation to Dale Acquisitions Ltd.

Both were bailed after appearing before the court, and the case has now been sent to Manchester Minshull Street Crown Court for a plea and trial preparation hearing on Thursday, April 16.

The charges follow investigations into the pair by the Insolvency Service.

Businessman Steven Dale bought Bury FC from Stewart Day for just £1 in December 2018 when Day stepped down as Bury chairman after six years, a period which saw a number of financial problems for The Shakers.

In August 2019 the club was also expelled from the English Football League (EFL) after 125 years.

In 2020, Dale placed the company into administration and fans formed Bury Association Football Club while Bury FC was in crisis.