EDDIE Howe described as “hugely sad” the expulsion of Bury from the English Football League, and believes it will affect “everyone connected with the town”.

Having been denied permission to fulfil any of their opening six League One matches this season due to ongoing financial concerns, the Shakers were officially removed by the EFL on August 27 after failing to find a buyer for the club.

It is the first time since Maidstone’s liquidation in 1992 that a team has dropped out of the EFL and leaves the third tier with just 23 clubs for the remainder of the campaign.

Cherries are no strangers to financial difficulties themselves, twice going close to the brink – in 1997 and again in 2008, both times being saved at the eleventh hour.

And boss Howe has sympathy for the plight of the north-west club.

He told the Daily Echo: “There’s a lot of similarities and parallels I think between Bury’s story and our potential story.

“We were having a meeting (in 2008) where Jeff Mostyn (club chairman) has to shake his head or nod his head as to determine the future of the football club. We were that close to going out of business.

“Unfortunately from Bury’s perspective they’ve actually gone and it’s very, very sad.

“A lot of history at that football club, an incredible amount. It’s not just the players, staff, it’s everyone connected with the town.

“The football club is a focal point of that town, it really does bring people together and it’s very sad from their perspective that they will now lose that.”

Asked if the football community can help to prevent a similar situation occurring in the future, Howe added: “This is where it’s difficult, because the individuals or clubs’ responsibilities are they have to run the club right. They have to make sure they don’t get in that position.

“It’s very easy for me to say that sat here, I don’t know the story, I don’t know the details and the ins and outs of the football club, but it’s very difficult to say that the football world should rally round and do something about it because you don’t quite know what’s gone on and what’s happened.

“I wouldn’t want to say too much that delves into that. I just think it’s hugely sad that that club is now lost and I feel for the people around Bury.”

Since the news of Bury’s demise, the EFL have this week confirmed they will consult with its other member clubs over the possibility of reinstating the Gigg Lane outfit into League Two for the 2020-21 campaign, should a suitable takeover occur.

And Howe admits it is hard to imagine being a fan of a club and seeing your club no longer exist.

“I don’t think it’s something you even contemplate really,” said the Cherries boss.

“You support a team, you feel like you’ll be able to go and see that team for the rest of your life if you choose to.

“To actually have that taken away from you, I wouldn’t be able to get my head around that.

“I’d find that very difficult and that’s why I think they deserve the sympathies from everybody and hopefully the club can in some way rebuild in its own way, but it won’t be the same.”