Harle hoping to prove point - Bury Times - Friday, 15 December 1995:
ON-LOAN MILLWALL defender Mike Harle is a man with a double mission this weekend. First he hopes to press his claims for a full-time move to Bury and at the same time prove Gillingham they were wrong to let him go as a youngster. Harle is by no means certain to find his way on to Stan Tement's team sheet but if he does there will be no-one trying harder then the 23-year-old left back. He put in an encouraging 45 minutes at Barnet last Saturday when the Shakers extended their unbeaten league run to six games and made it 504 minutes without conceding a goal. The Londoner was in the reserve side that won 3-0 at Scarborough on Wednesday night when he played the first hour and Stuart Bimson the final 30 minutes. Both will be expecting to challenge lan Hughes for the left back slot. Harle was originally on Gillingham's books but his time at Priestfield ended unhappily after a contract dispute. He moved into non-league with Sittingboume before being snapped up by First Division Millwall. Bury's starting line-up against the high-flying Gills will depend on a fitness test to calf strain victim Shaun Reid who limped out of the game at Underhill (see page 74) and subsequently missed three days training. Michael Jackson and Trevor Matthewson are expected to continue at the heart of the defence in the absence of Chris Lucketti who is serving the second game of a three-match ban. If there is to be a surprise selection then it could be Nicky Reid. The former Manchester City and Blackburn defender played, and scored, in the midweek reserve game. Tement had hoped to add Crystal Palace mid-fielder lan Cox to his squad but a loan deal fell through because of a bereavement in the player's family. The Bury boss hopes to revive interest in the wove later in the season. Meanwhile he intends to bring in reinforcements before Christmas especially in attack where the Shakers are down to their last two fit men, Phil Slant and David Johnson. "We are entering the busiest period of season and with Mark Carter and John Paskin not fully fit we need some back up and a bit of extra speed in the side." confirmed the manager. Matters are further complicated by Slant being on the edge of a suspension.