“Be the 16th player”: Local call for support at Bury St Edmunds Rugby Club
As the business end of the season approaches, Bury St Edmunds Rugby Club needs the local community to get behind its teams, and long-standing sponsor FWD Accounts is leading the call.
With both the Men’s and Women’s first teams enjoying strong runs of form, momentum is building at the Haberden.
The Women’s 1st XV continue to compete strongly in Championship North 1, the highest tier of women’s rugby outside the ringfenced Premiership Women’s Rugby structure. Meanwhile, Director of Rugby James ‘Shanners’ Shanahan is leading the Men’s 1st XV through his first season, as they climb to 3rd in the National 2 League East table, and the Men’s 2nd XV are in first place in their Eastern Counties 1 League, all supported by a thriving youth section.
Now, the message from club supporters and sponsors alike is clear: the town’s backing could make all the difference as promotion challenges intensify.
Jason Ford, Managing Director of FWD Accounts, and a committed sponsor since 2021, says: “We’re past the halfway point of the season and both the men’s and women’s teams are performing exceptionally well. The challenge now is to maintain that momentum through to the final whistle of the campaign.”
“Support on the touchline matters. The energy from the crowd lifts the players. But just as important is the wider support from the local community – coming down early, using the bar, buying a burger, bringing friends and family along.”
Jason added that there is the additional support needed for the Haberden and clubhouse too, as hospitality income remains under pressure.
“As accountants, we know how hard the hospitality sector has been hit by recent budgets. For community clubs like Bury, that matchday income is vital. It supports hundreds of players, volunteers and staff, and helps maintain the facilities that so many local families rely on.”
As Bury looks ahead to the second half of the season, the call is simple: turn up, bring a friend, back the teams, and be the 16th person that pushes the Club forward.
“This is a really exciting time to get behind a local community club, with squads across the age groups playing some truly impressive rugby.” added Jason.
As well as supporting the Women’s team as one of the shirt sponsors, FWD Accounts are proud sponsors of the Bury St Edmunds Rugby club’s historic 1974 Suite – a special space at the heart of matchday life for players, members and supporters.
“The 1974 Suite holds a special place in the hearts of players and supporters, alike,” says Jason, “And the refurbished space has been carefully designed to celebrate the club’s journey – honouring those who are no longer with us, while looking ahead to the next chapter with pride.”
For more information on Bury St Edmunds Rugby Club, you can visit: https://www.bserugby.co.uk/