DEFIANT football fans are standing up to Gordon Brown — by making St George’s Day an unofficial bank holiday in Bury.

As part of Bury Football Club’s 125th birthday celebrations, supporters’ group Forever Bury is holding a beer festival.

It starts next Thursday with the second day being St George’s Day.

As it is a special anniversary, organisers are hoping to raise a record-breaking cash total at Bury FC’s social club at Gigg Lane.

But they feel it would be even higher if the Prime Minister declared St George’s Day a bank holiday and so encourage more beer enthusiasts to attend.

Forever Bury chairman Dave Giffard said: “Some fans are disgusted at governments not making the day a national holiday, so we are declaring an unofficial bank holiday.

“If you have a bit of the rebel in you and also think it should be a holiday then come on down and help to celebrate this special day.”

It will be the sixth festival held by Forever Bury, with the previous five raising more than £47,000 for Shakers’ club funds.

Organisers will be selling 42 beers, including six brewed specially for the festival — like Shakers 125 and Gigg Ale.

On April 24, there will be a special football fans’ day, when supporters will be encouraged to turn up in different clubs’ shirts to watch football on the big screen.

At 3pm on Sunday, April 25, there will be a grand finale in which a Bury FC All-Star team will play against Forever Bury FC at Gigg Lane.

Among the players lined up to play are old favourites such as David Nugent, Chris Lucketti, Craig Madden and David Lee.

All funds raised from the match will go to Help For Heroes and Fairfield Hospital’s baby unit.

Tickets cost £5 for adults and £2 for under-16s, or £10 for a family ticket (two adults and two children).

The social club will be open from noon to 11.30pm.