These Are The Communities Refusing To Let Their Clubs Disappear
In the shifting sands of English football, where the Premier League glistens with global wealth and media glare, a quieter but arguably more important story is playing out further down the pyramid. It is not one of luxury boxes or transfer sagas, but of reclaimed grounds, passed buckets, and unpaid volunteers doing the work of ten.
Non-league football in England has always operated close to the edge – geographically, financially, and culturally. Clubs in the sixth, seventh and eighth tiers are often overlooked by the national conversation, yet they are among the most vital social anchors left in their towns. And now, increasingly, they are being reclaimed by the very people they exist to serve: the supporters.
The team at FC100000 has spotlighted some prime examples of communities that refused to let their beloved football clubs disappear.
From Collapse to Community: The Rise of Bury AFC
When Bury FC were expelled from the Football League in 2019, it was due to years of financial mismanagement and ownership instability that had left the historic Greater Manchester outfit in ruins. But its supporters were not willing to let 134 years of heritage die quietly.
Out of the wreckage came Bury AFC, a phoenix club created by fans who could no longer rely on distant owners or speculative investors. Backed by the Shakers Community and later merging with the reformed Bury FC, for which their name now resembles once again, following a collective vote alongside Bury FC Supporters’ Society, the initiative showed what’s possible when a community takes control of its club’s destiny.
It wasn’t easy. Restarting in lower divisions, using borrowed grounds, and funded largely by supporter donations and local fundraising, Bury has evolved from scratch. But its rapid progress, on and off the pitch, is proof of the resilience that defines community football.
Now, at the culmination of the 2024/25 campaign, the Shakers, in their second full season back at the iconic Gigg Lane, have gained promotion to the eighth tier of English football, and they did so in front of 8,719 fans on home turf. The good times are rolling back.
Enfield Town FC: A Trailblazer for Supporter Ownership
The model for fan-led clubs didn’t begin with Bury. Back in 2001, Enfield Town FC became the first fully supporter-owned club in the country after Enfield FC’s fans walked away from their original club due to a lack of local commitment from its owner.
With the Enfield Supporters’ Trust at the helm, the breakaway club was formed with a democratic structure and community values at its core. Over two decades later, Enfield Town remains fan-owned and proud of it – a shining example of long-term sustainability and community involvement.
The club currently plys its trade in the fiercely competitive National League South – just two promotions away from the Football League. After earning a play-off promotion from the Isthmian Premier Division the previous season, they finished 19th this campaign, narrowly securing their status in the sixth tier for another year. While the dream of reaching the EFL may seem distant for now, the club will take pride in its progress and remain focused on continued development.
Clapton CFC: More Than a Club
In East London, Clapton Community FC has emerged as a true grassroots success story. Formed in 2018 after supporters fell out with the previous Clapton FC ownership, the new club was built on transparency, community action, and anti-fascist values. It quickly became one of the most progressive and talked-about lower-league clubs in the country.
Clapton CFC is democratically owned by its members, who vote on everything from kit designs to club policy. With a strong focus on inclusivity, the club has launched women’s teams, supported charitable causes, and used its platform to campaign for social justice – all while attracting a loyal following in the Southern Counties East League First Division.
Its rise proves that football doesn’t need huge budgets or broadcasting deals to thrive – it needs connection, meaning, and people who care.
AFC Rushden & Diamonds: Carrying on the Legacy
In Northamptonshire, AFC Rushden & Diamonds was born out of the ashes of Rushden & Diamonds FC. This club once soared to the Football League under the ownership of Max Griggs, but collapsed despairingly in 2011.
Instead of waiting for salvation, supporters took matters into their own hands. The phoenix club was founded with a clear mission: to protect the club’s identity and ensure no single individual could wield unchecked power again. Every fan becomes a co-owner. Every voice matters. Their striking motto reads “One Fan, One Vote, One Community, One Club.”
Now competing in the Northern Premier League Midlands Division, AFC Rushden & Diamonds has stayed true to its values, focusing on youth development, financial transparency, and community outreach.
Why Community Ownership Matters Now More Than Ever
These stories are not isolated. Across England, from the North East terraces of Darlington and Blyth Spartans to the dugouts of Lewes, fan-led governance is growing in stature. The pandemic exposed how fragile football finances really are, even more so in the lower leagues. For many clubs, only the tenacity of their local supporters kept the lights on.
But community ownership isn’t just about saving clubs from extinction. It’s about rethinking the role of a football club entirely. These are not just matchday venues but also food bank sites, social spaces, mental health sanctuaries, and youth hubs. They are among the last true democratic, community-controlled institutions left in many towns.
In an age when top-flight clubs chase foreign tours and six-figure wages for benchwarmers, the contrast is sharp. Non-league clubs remind us that football was never meant to be a product – it was meant to be a bond.
A Model for the Future?
As more supporters demand a say in how their clubs are run, the non-league game could quietly become a proving ground for football done differently, with loyalty valued above leverage and legacy prized over profit.
Backed by heart, history and hard graft, these clubs show us what happens when a community refuses to give up on what’s theirs.
And perhaps, in doing so, they’re not just saving clubs. They’re saving football itself.