BURY AFC are formally objecting to Steve Dale trademarking the Bury FC badge in his name.

The phoenix club polled its members on the move by the controversial Shakers owner with 99 per cent of the 600 who responded voting in favour of pursuing a formal objection.

As part of its set-up, the community benefit society puts all decisions of this nature to its membership, with legal options being explored.

It comes as supporters’ trust Forever Bury continue in their efforts to raise £400,000 to take the stricken club out of Dale’s hands.

A little over £5,000 had been pledged online at the time of going to press yesterday with the group outlining their stance on the trademark debate in a statement.

Forever Bury say they have been given assurances by Dale that any purchase of the club’s assets would include the badge, despite it currently being in his name.

“We as the board of Forever Bury in communication with current Bury Football Club owner Steve Dale spoke about the registration of trademarks of Bury Football Club in July 2020,” the statement read.

“Steve Dale saw the current situation with a newly registered club, Bury AFC, and outlined that he would protect the Bury Football Club limited badge and register this as a trademark.

“We were not aware this would be put under his own name.

“During communications with Steve Dale we had confirmation that the trademark had been registered and that nobody could use Bury Football Club assets.

“Steve Dale has since outlined that as part of the Bury Football Club limited package the new owners would receive the registered trademark along with fixtures and fittings (machinery etc).

“We feel that as Forever Bury we have progressed more than any other genuine interested party and are still trying to save Bury Football Club Limited and all its proud 135-year history to ensure a Bury side walks out on Gigg Lane in the future.

“Over the next few weeks Forever Bury and their army of volunteers will be putting their plan into action to rejuvenate Gigg Lane.”