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Wednesday, 30 June 1999

Bury in double swoop - The Bury Times:
BURY bargain hunter Neil Warnock pulled off a double swoop when he landed Huddersfield 21-year-olds Sam Collins and Ian Lawson on free transfers. The Shakers boss, who netted almost £1 million when he sold centre-back Chris Lucketti to the Yorkshire club earlier this month, went back to the McAlpine to find his replacement in the highly-rated Collins and landed striker Lawson for good measure. Collins was first choice at the back with Andy Morrison, now at Manchester City, in the opening 17 games last season, during which time Huddersfield soared to the top of the Division One table, and went on to make 12 more starts and one as substitute. Lawson, a promising striker who was wanted by Scunthorpe, had his appearances restricted by injuries, which have now cleared up. He found the net twice towards the end of the season after a two-month loan spell at Blackpool. He was originally given his big break in football by Warnock. The Shakers manager arrived back from a two-week holiday in St Lucia on Monday night, along with chairman Terry Robinson, before clinching the double deal with his opposite number, Steve Bruce. Whilst Bury have yet to confirm their approach for the pair, fellow Division Two side Scunthorpe attempted to sign Lawson last week but were told by the Yorkshire club that he was already heading for Gigg Lane.

Bury will revert back to wearing squad numbers when the season kicks off on August 7.
The Shakers' new kit will also feature players' names. Local businesses and supporters are invited to sponsor a squad number for the season. Sponsors will have their names displayed next to their chosen players in every match day programme. The cost for the whole season is £100 plus VAT, which equates to less than £5 per game. Numbers will be allocated on a first come, first served basis. To book your number call Gigg Lane's commercial department on

Saturday, 26 June 1999

Shakers fixtures announced - The Bury Times:
BURY will take on promotion rivals Gillingham in their opening league fixture of the 1999/2000 season. The Kent side, painfully beaten by Manchester City in the Division Two play-off final, kick off the new campaign at Gigg Lane on August 7. Four days later the Shakers will open their Worthington Cup account against Notts County. Games to look forward to include a mouthwatering Boxing Day clash at home to Stan Ternent's Burnley and derby clashes with Oldham on September 11 (away) and March 4 (home).

AUGUST:
7 Gillingham (H)
11 Notts County Worth Cup 1(1)
14 Wrexham (A)
21 Brentford (H)
25 Notts County Worth Cup 1(2)
28 Bristol City (A)
30 Colchester Utd (H)
SEPTEMBER
4 Luton Town (A)
11 Oldham Athletic (A)
18 Wycombe Wdrs (H)
25 AFC Bournemouth (A)
OCTOBER
2 Cardiff City (H)
9 Notts County (H)
16 Blackpool (A)
20 Reading (A)
23 AFC Bournemouth (H)
30 FA Cup 1
NOVEMBER
2 Bristol Rovers (A)
6 Stoke City (H)
13 Oxford Utd (A)
23 Wigan Athletic (H)
27 Preston Nth End (H)
DECEMBER
4 Gillingham (A)
11 Cambridge (H)
18 Scunthorpe Utd (A)
26 Burnley (H)
28 Chesterfield (A)
JANUARY
3 Millwall (H)
8 Cambridge Utd (A)
15 Wrexham (H)
22 Brentford (A)
29 Bristol City (H)
FEBRUARY
5 Colchester Utd (A)
12 Luton Town (H)
19 Preston Nth End (A)
26 Wycombe Wdrs (A)
MARCH
4 Oldham Athletic (H)
9 Stoke City (A)
11 Bristol Rovers (H)
18 Wigan Athletic (A)
21 Oxford United (H)
25 Burnley (A)
APRIL
1 Scunthorpe Utd (H)
9 Millwall (A)
15 Chesterfield (H)
22 Blackpool (H)
24 Cardiff City (A)
29 Reading (H)
MAY
6 Notts County (A)

Wednesday, 23 June 1999

Shakers plan Collins swoop - The Bury Times:
Warnock targets Huddersfield duo. Bury are targeting Huddersfield centre half Sam Collins to replace departed skipper Chris Lucketti. The McAlpine Stadium youngster was due to move to Gigg Lane last season as part of the £1m deal Bury agreed with Huddersfield for Lucketti which broke down over the former Shakers star's personal terms. But Lucketti's move to the Yorkshire club has left a gap at the heart of the Shakers defence and boss Neil Warnock is reported to be ready to move for the 22-year-old defender and his 21-year-old striker teammate Ian Lawson.

Sky Sports:
Bury are hopeful of signing central defender Simon Collins and striker Ian Lawson from Huddersfield. Steve Bruce is willing to listen to offers for both players.

Lucketti loss will be overcome - Bury Times:
SHAKERS star Steve Redmond has paid tribute to defensive partner Chris Lucketti who moved to Huddersfield in a £1 million deal last week. And the experienced central defender reassures fans that the former Gigg Lane skipper's departure won't spell the end of the watertight reputation of the Bury back line. "It's a great move for Chris and I'm delighted for him, no one deserves it more" said Redmond who recently put pen to paper on another 12-month contract at Gigg Lane. "He's different class as a defender and so dominant, Steve Bruce certainly knows what he's getting. "I thought we combined well whenever I played with him. "He's bound to be a big loss but I'd like to think that with myself, Chris Swailes and Andy Woodward still at the club we'll be okay in the Second Division. "We still have a lot of battlers at the club and that's what you need in the Second Division, we just need to get off to a good start and maintain it." Redmond's ankle injury that kept him out of the final few games of the campaign is healing up nicely and he should be raring to go when pre-season training begins on July 1.

Warnock Targets Terrier Duo - Nationwide:
Bury manager Neil Warnock has targeted Huddersfield Town central defender Sam Collins and striker Ian Lawson. The Terriers are willing to listen to offers for both men and Collins would be a replacement for Chris Lucketti, who moved from Bury to Huddersfield. Lawson, who spent a successful loan spell at Blackpool last season, is also believed to be a target for the Seasiders, Scunthorpe and Wrexham.

Worthington Cup 1st Round 1st Leg:
Ties to be played over two legs, the first-leg to be played the week commencing
August 9, the second August 23

Macclesfield v Stoke
Darlington v Bolton
Stockport v Oldham
York v Wigan
Blackpool v Tranmere
Sheffield United v Shrewsbury
Bury v Notts County
Halifax v West Brom
Rotherham v Hull
Hartlepool v Crewe
Lincoln v Barnsley
Carlisle v Grimsby
Chester v Port Vale
Preston v Wrexham
Rochdale v Chesterfield
Manchester City v Burnley
Nottingham Forest v Mansfield
Scunthorpe v Huddersfield
Luton v Bristol Rovers
Southend v Oxford
Birmingham City v Exeter
Brighton v Gillingham
Reading v Peterborough
Bournemouth v Barnet
Northampton v Fulham
Norwich v Cheltenham
Wycombe v Wolves
Brentford v Ipswich
Colchester v Crystal Palace
Cardiff v QPR
Cambridge v Bristol City
Torquay v Portsmouth
Swansea v Millwall
Swindon v Leyton Orient
Walsall v Plymouth

Tuesday, 15 June 1999

Once again I owe a bif pat on the back to Mike Waring for sending me todays Bury Times, cheers Mike

Slow death of the Cemetry End - Bury Times:
It's all change at Gigg lane as Contractors move in to demolish the Cemetery End stand. With the £1.5 Million grant offer to the Shakers towards the cost of the new East Stand fully confirmed the final phase of the clubs renovation is under way. The steelwork on the crush barriers has already been removed with the wooden terracing and the sheeting at the rear of the stand next to be tackled. Following that the roof steelwork will be dismantled so that workmen can finally start breaking up the concrete terracing.

We could have been great says departing captain - Bury TImes:
former shakers' skipper Chris Lucketti today tells just how close the club were to the premiership. The popular central defender, who moved to Huddersfield Town in a £1 million deal on Friday, reckons if Bury had managed to hold onto the top performers from their double promotion side they could have been within an ace of the top flight. Lucketti is the second of the shakers' prize assets to leave Gigg Lane in recent weeks following the departure of Eire B international Dean Kiely to Charlton Athletic last month. And he says those financial restrictions that forced the exodus of star men year-in-year-out killed a once in a lifetime dream of big time glory. "I said to Nick Daws recently that in four or five years time we'll look back on our time at Bury and say we had some side here," he explained. "We had a lot more quality in the team than we were credited with because a lot of people in the game were surprised at us winning promotion twice. "If we could only have held onto the likes of David Johnson, Paul Butler and Dean Keily we were only one or two players short of something special and who knows what we could have achieved. "But it was absolutely superb for us to get to the First Division and clubs with a lot more money than Bury can only dream of what we did for those three or four years. "But Bury will always be a selling club and it was impossible for us to buy replacements of that quality. It's sad but that's the way it is for a club of this size." Another of the successful double promotion side looks set to leave Gigg Lane this summer. Wing-back Dean West has turned down a new deal that virtually doubles his existing salary and is set to leave on a free transfer under the Bosman ruling.

Chris hopes for a repeat performance at McAlpine - Bury Times:
Another six years like the previous half-dozen, that's what Chris Lucketti is hoping for following his move to Huddersfield Town. The former shakers' skipper enjoyed three Player-of-the-Season awards, two promotions and a Wembley appearance a marvellous spell at Gigg Lane and more of the same will suit him down to the ground. "I had a superb time at Bury and obviously have mixed emotions about leaving but there comes a time when a move is right for you and this is it," he said. "If I can be as successful at the McAlpine Stadium as I was at Gigg Lane I'll be more than happy. I got on brilliantly with the fans and to be skipper for the Second Division championship season was the pinnacle of my career. "But Huddersfield are a big club and one Steve Bruce and chairman Ian Ayre told me of the ambitions they have I had no hesitation in signing. "Everything is geared for the Premier Division, and that is their aim, and if I can play a part in bringing that about I'll be delighted." For the 27-year-old Littleborough-born defender, the chance to team up with newly-installed Town boss Bruce was another big incentive for making the move. "As a central defender it's flattering to have someone like Steve pay £1 million for you," he added. "He was the main man at the best club in the world for a number of years and I can't wait to work with him." Bruce also told Lucketti that he certainly wasn't a second choice after the deal to take David Weatherall from Leeds fell through. The Terriers are still actively trying to prise the experienced defender from Elland road and he could be the third of Bruce's new faces following Lucketti's arrival and the signing of Blackburn's Greek international winger George Donis. The Shakers will receive £750,000 initially for Lucketti with further payments taking the total to more than £1 million. Halifax Town, who sold him to the Shakers for a bargain £50,000 in October 1993 will also benefit, receiving 25% of the profit - around £175,000 - from the move. Littleborough born, Lucketti cut his footballing teeth with his local club Rochdale but made only one league appearance for the Spotland club in a goalless draw at home to Halifax in April 1989. Released by 'Dale he then joined Stockport county for a twelve month spell and in July 1991 moved to Halifax town. It was at The Shay that he established himself as a first tem performer but in his second season there suffered the disappointment of experiencing relegation to the Vauxhall Conference with the West Riding outfit. Mike Walsh offered him the chance to re-establish his league career after only a few weeks in non-league soccer. It proved a terrific piece of business by the then Shakers' boss as the dominant and powerful defender became a crucial piece in the jigsaw as the shakers powered up the league to Division One. Dominant and assured, the current skipper had been linked to numerous Premier Division clubs in recent years and as Bruce declared after signing his man: "There are a lot of managers around who will be sorry to have missed out on him!"

Popular skipper goes with fans' good wishes. - Bury Times:
Bury supporters have been quick to give the Bury Times their reaction to Lucketti's move across the Pennines. Farnworth-based shakers season ticket holder Neil Taylor wished Lucketti good luck with his new club. He said: "I am sorry to see him go but every bury fan knew he would leave sooner or later. It was hardly a shock. "He did the club proud and never let anyone down." Neil, a Gigg Lane regular for 22 years added: "His best quality was that his heart was in the club. He wanted to play for Bury, for the team and for the town. "It's a pity he couldn't go into the Premiership but if he's happy at Huddersfield then that's fair enough. "It's not too far for him to go and I wish him the best of luck." Rob Skinner of Ramsbottom was another of the bury faithful who looked on Lucketti's departure philosophically. "Obviously it's disappointing to see him go but if he hadn't signed a new contract at the start of the season he could have gone on a free transfer and picked up a big signing on fee under the Bosman ruling," he said. "I don't think there's any way we could afford to keep him so I suppose it's good business for both the club and player. "I think all Shakers' fans will wish him well and I can't help thinking that if he'd have played at West Brom at the end of the season we might still be in the first Division!" Joe Critchley of Summerseat, who began watching the Shakers with his father in the mid-sixties, said: "I was gutted when I heard the news but we all knew he was going. He's been a great servant to the club and was Bury through and through. "He'll be badly missed but we've got a great replacement skipper in Nick Daws who will fill his boots well!" Radcliffe fan Tim Brown believes the club still has enough talented defenders not to miss Lucketti's influence. "Chris is a hard act to follow but in Player-of-the-Season Chris Swailes, Stevie Redmond and Andy Woodward we still have some quality defenders, especially at second Division level. "Plus, if the rumours are right, Neil Warnock is looking to bring in another defender. We needn't worry, there's life after Lucketti!"

Sod's Law! - Bury Times:
It won't have gone unnoticed at Gigg Lane that the Nationwide Football League are reverting to goal difference rather than goals scored to separate teams next season. If those rules had been applied during the last campaign Port Vale and not the Shakers would have been relegated to Division Two.

Bury go on with changes. - The Pink (Saturday's) - Again by Mike Waring:despite their relegation, Bury are continuing with a £1.5m scheme to upgrade the Cemetery End. It is the last phase of improvements that will turn Gigg Lane into a 12,000 all-seater stadium. work is expected to be completed in early September. the club has shelved plans to install executive boxes in the new stand and to move the dressing room area behind the goal. Our picture shows John Gibson and Mick Adams from Cheetham Hill Construction.

Sunday, 13 June 1999

Lucketti Gone - Soccernet:
Huddersfield boss Steve Bruce has signed central defender Chris Lucketti from Bury in a £1million deal. The 27-year-old is Bruce's second signing for the club following the purchase of George Donis from Sheffield United. Bruce has also had a £2m bid accepted for Leeds defender David Wetherall.

Bruce Signs £1 Million Defender - Sky Sports:
New Huddersfield Town boss Steve Bruce has made his second £1 million capture in the space of a week, by signing central defender Chris Lucketti from newly relegated Bury. Lucketti, 27, has attracted a great deal of interest from other clubs for his commanding role in the heart of the Bury defence in recent years, notably from Birmingham City, Bolton Wanderers and also from neighbours Wigan Athletic. But ambitious Bruce has moved first to sign the big defender on a four year deal. Last week the former Sheffield United boss snapped up winger Georgios Donis for £1 million, and a £2 million move for Leeds United defender David Wetherall remains a possibility. Lucketti explained why he had decided to opt for Huddersfield ahead of other interested parties: "The major reason I decided to move here was that Steve Bruce was interested in me." he said. "After I had spoken to him and to the chairman and they had explained their ambitions for the club it was easy for me to sign."

Chase hots up for Lucketti - The Bury Times:
THE chase is hotting up for Bury skipper Chris Lucketti. Gigg Lane's prize asset looks certain to be sold at any time after two unnamed clubs stepped up their bids for his signature this week. Chairman Terry Robinson has been in talks with both parties and manager Neil Warnock believes a deal is imminent. "What was just a little interest has got a lot more serious this week," he said. "I think things will happen soon. I cannot say who the two clubs are because they will pull out." The Shakers chief, who is being forced to sell-off the club's crown jewels due to financial restraints, says he wants more than the £1m Charlton paid for Keeper Dean Kiely last month. "I would like to top that figure, but we have it written into Chris's deal that he can leave when we get a £1m offer," he explained. "He certainly won't go for anything less." Warnock, meanwhile, has been busy shopping for new players to strengthen Bury's promotion push next season. A striker, defender and midfielder are high on his list. He added: "I aim to bring in three or four new faces. I have spoken to a few players and am hoping to have one or two at the club by the first week in July." The Shakers boss must wait until the end of the month before learning if he has landed a new assistant. His first choice successor for the axed Ron Reid has promised to give him an answer within the next two weeks. Should he fail in his attempt to recruit his first choice number two, goalkeeping coach Kevin Blackwell will be handed the responsibility. "I am not taking someone for the sake of it. I have one person in mind but wont know for a little while," he said. "There is still plenty of experience within the club and players like Paul Barnes and Steve Redmond are taking their coaching badges." The building contractors moved into Gigg Lane this week to begin the demolition of the Cemetery End terrace. With a £1.5m grant offer to the club towards the cost of a new stand confirmed, the final phase of the ground's rebuilding revolution is now underway. With a month already passed since the close of the season, the development is unlikely to be complete before the new campaign gets underway.

Redmond puts pen to paper - Bury Times:
SHAKERS defender Steve Redmond has signed a new one-year deal. The 31-year-old follows striker Kemajl Avdiu in agreeing to stay on with Neil Warnock's men as they bid for an immediate return to Division One. Only Dean West has yet to reply to Bury's offer of a new deal, but the club is already resigned to losing him to Burnley when his contract expires on June 30. And there is still no news on Nick Daws. The midfield marvel was expected to put pen to paper on an improved contract at the weekend before heading off on holiday, but he is taking more time to consider it. Chairman Terry Robinson said: "We are delighted Steve Redmond has agreed to stay. I thought he played really well for us last year, particularly in the second half of the season before suffering injury. "There has been no movement with Dean West, in fact we can't get in touch with him." Manager Warnock added: "Dean has already told me he plans to sign for Burnley so I don't hold out much hope." Robinson has played down the Daws delay, stressing he was in no hurry for the player to sign up. "Nick still has two years of his contract remaining. All we have been trying to do is renegotiate to his advantage. There is no rush in that respect," he said.

Regular "Exiled Files" Contributor, Mike Waring, has recently E-Mailed Peter Cullen regarding the lack of updates on the official site, here is Peter Cullen's reply:
I promise that I am as anxious as you to get the site sorted out but it is just time preventing me from getting my teeth into it at the moment. Although it's the close-season it is a very busy time ticket office wise with plenty of computer inputting required for next season's season tickets - and actually issuing them in a few weeks time is a major job too. Then there is ordering all the new season ticket stock, changing various wording & designs (if poss), ordering all the various tickets for the different lounges / car parks / etc. I need to Sort out the design for next season's programme and advertisements. I'm also trying to complete a 320 page History on the club which is a massive job & has got to be at the printers for September. So you can see that although the matches have ended it is still a busy time. I will be going on holiday soon but then I must really get stuck into all the changes we want to make on the web site. Changing the graphics where players have left, inputting all next season's fixtures & pre-season games / details. Updating the player profile section. Sorting out the club shop section which is a total mess right now. That's just off the top of my head. There is plenty more needs sorting. I gave them a photograph "gallery" months ago which I don't think is up and running yet. The Players A-Z is only up to L or M with various photos missing. etc etc I will be going on holiday soon but then I must really get stuck into all the changes we want to make on the web site. Changing the graphics where players have left, inputting all next season's fixtures & pre-season games / details. Updating the player profile section. Sorting out the club shop section which is a total mess right now. That's just off the top of my head. There is plenty more needs sorting. I gave them a photograph "gallery" months ago which I don't think is up and running yet. The Players A-Z is only up to L or M with various photos missing. etc etc We have such a small staff at the club that it might come across to you that we don't care or don't have any pride in the job - but I can assure you this is just not the case. I WILL get it sorted. I promise you

As many of you know, I have been asked to submit a "Pre-Season" review of the club "as I see it" for The Match of the Day Magazine. They wanted a supporters view on things. Here is my entry. This will be available for all to see when the next edidtion hits the streets.

Match of the Day Magazine Pre Season Review

As you can no doubt see, we do not like Neil Warnock.

Reasons for success or Failure:
The season got of to a brilliant start, we were 3rd after ten games and people really thought that something special was happening here, then slowly but surely, and as predicted by various visitors to the site (namely Oldham & Plymouth Fans), Warnock started bringing in players he had had at previous clubs. Chris Billy, Paul Williams, Adrian Littlejohn. Certain players did not rate them and the support certainly thought that they were not division one standard. The performances over the next few months were woeful and to be brutally honest about it, at times, embarrassing. Hoof ball was the order of the day. Cries of Boring Bury around the country didn't help. A chronic lack of goals summed it up. Sure we kept a lot of clean sheets, only because we had Dean Kiely between the sticks. We did not win away from home until March and that was a lucky scramble and hopeful punt from Derek Lilley. Team Moral seemed to be at a new low with the manager unable to motivate the players. Probably the best two team players, Rob Matthews and Lennie Johnrose caught on quick and buggered off to Stockport and Burnley. In all, we lacked firepower; we lacked commitment and showed no enthusiasm or ambition. We got what we deserved; a last day home victory was a small reward but no use for our survival

What was the defining moment of 1998/99 at your club?
The appointment of Neil Warnock as manager - doomed from the very beginning plus the appalling stuffing we suffered at the Breezeblock against Horwich Wanderers

What was the funniest thing that happened?
Neil Warnock being appointed manager - we all thought it was a joke at first and Beating Bolton 2-1 at Gigg and then abusing them.

Player of the Year
Chris Swailes (Mr Dependable) and Dean Kiely but we have just flogged him for a very small fee of £1m.

Donkey of the Year
Chris Billy, took some serious flak from the stands, had many nightmare games but was still selected, also Laurent D'Jaffo and Andy Preece

Young player to look out for next season?
Kemajl Avdiu (Kemo to the lads). Signed from Esjberg, bit of an unknown but very useful, suffers from lack of self-confidence but spent last year in the reserves and was banging them in left right and Chelsea. Also Martyn Forrest, son of legendary ex shaker John Forrest. Superb player who deserves a chance.

Your 'hardest' player?
Easy this one - Darren "Bulldog" Bullock, made his debut against Norwich City and was promptly sent off after only 11 minutes. Later proved to be superb and had he been here at the beginning of the season we would still be in Division One and would more than likely have been the player of the year

Where does your team need strengthening, and which players would you most like to acquire to improve things?
We have suffered from a lack of goals, relegated on goals scored, if we had beaten Port Vale on the final day by 15 goals to Nil then we would have stayed up. Definitely need a proven goalscorer. Players we would like to see at Gigg, anybody who can hit the back of the net more than ten times a season, is Shearer doing anything next year?? Also after just selling the best keeper around (Dean Kiely) we urgently need a keeper. Paddy Kenny the no's keeper is untried and to be honest we don't know a lot about him. Chris Lucketti (The Skipper) is also on the move shortly. Chris is 80% of the reason why we gained two back to back promotions. Has reached a "God like Status" and will be sorely missed, so we need a good solid centre half quickly.

Likely finish 1999/2000?
Debatable this one, with Warnock Bottom half or even relegation, without him, play offs or top three

Who is Public Enemy Number 1, someone who should not show their face at your club?
Neil Warnock for the obvious reasons and John McGinlay - Ex Bury striker who did very well for us but he eventually ended up at our Arch Rivals Bolton (Horwich) Wanderers, we played them at Burnden, before the supermarket burnt down, in a league cup game, he went in studs first on our Keeper (Gary Kelly) and put him out for the rest of the season. Booed superbly every time he has been back.

In an ideal world... (What would happen next season?)
Neil Warnock resigns or is sacked, massive Cash Injection into the club, the team develop the art of playing the ball on the ground, not hoof ball. There was a rumour that they were going to sell deep heat or Ralgex along with the programme so that we did not hurt our necks looking up for the ball.

Nightmare scenario...
Relegation again, Warnock staying around for another depressing season or even getting a new three-year contract

Music/song the team should run out to?
Oh Christ, don't start that again, we had a little debate on the site about this one. Bring on the clowns was the winner I think

Describe your club in 15 words or less
The press like to call us "Cash Strapped Bury", we know we are.

Best part of your ground for atmosphere?
The South Stand, some of the dry comments over the past season were outstanding

Rarest delicacy available to eat at your ground?
Anything over room temperature and a small bottle of coke for under £2.00

Friendliest local pub (which welcomes away fans)?
Plenty around or near the ground, The Pack Horse, The Staff of Life, The Swan & Cemetery, The Rose & Crown

Best chip shop or 'eatery' (plus roadname)?
Man Sons Chippie on Manchester Old Road, about 5 minutes walk from the ground

Perennial excuse for failure at your club (if applicable)?
All of the following are genuine excuses offered to the media by the manager
"We are a small club, how can we expect to compete against the likes of your Sunderland's and Wolves etc."
"They are a massive club with a massive wage bill, how can we compete against that"
"We all had flu"
"The referee was appalling"
"If we had attacked we would have only been beaten 8-0"
"It's been one of those seasons"
"Chris Billy is one of those players who comes good in his second season at a club"
"Their second goal was superb, I had to stand and applaud it"
"I had a disturbed night's sleep, a marching band was practising at 5am and we could not concentrate"
"Cries of Warnock out were unsettling the players"
"There are only a handful of supporters who do not want me here"

Wildest recent rumour about your club?
Warnock had walked out to join Bristol City also that Sheffield United are interested in Neil Warnock, we couldn't be that lucky surely.

Worst refereeing decision to affect your club last season?
According to the manager, every time the opposition scored was a bad refereeing decision

Favourite away ground, and why?
Doncaster Rovers - We ain't lost there in over ten years, plus any away ground that we actually win at, only won two last season (Oxford United and St. Lucia National Team)

Worst away ground to visit, and why?
The Reebox - getting beat by Horwich in the way we did was just too embarrassing to watch, most of us left well before full time

What makes your ground special to visit?
The Atmosphere and friendly locals, plus with our low support you are almost definitely guaranteed a seat

Words to best chant among your fans?
Warnock Out or the original "Come on Bury Come on Bury", We only hate Bolton Wanderers or our current favourite "Lets all laugh at Bolton" as heard on Sky TV last season

Sum up your mascot in a sentence? (Name as well please)
Robby the Bobby, named after Sir Robert Peel (Founder of the British Police Force) who was born in Bury. Docile and very slow, just meanders around the ground with his "Sponsored by Bury Market" sign on his back - very ineffective, very inept - does nothing basically though he does do a fair bit of charity work outside of match day. He can normally be seen plodding around the perimeter of the pitch ignoring all the kids and generally looking as if he does not want to be there.

This season, be excited about... (Which new development at your club)
The completion of the re-development, the Cemetery End stand is currently being demolished to make way for a new all seater stand, will make Gigg Lane an all seater stadium also, the new Birthdays (Club Sponsor) Football Mega Store that is being built on the Car Park, they promise to sell kits, souvenirs etc from all British clubs and even some foreign clubs. As long as there are no Bolton shirts on sale there. Also Neil Warnock has promised a different style of play, more attacking and adventurous - I will believe it when we see it.

Tuesday, 08 June 1999

Redmond Signs Up - The Bury Times (Mike Waring):
Shakers defender Steve Redmond has signed a new one-year deal. The 31-year-old follows striker Kemajl Avdiu in agreeing to stay on with Neil Warnock's men as they bid for an immediate return to Division One. Only Dean West has yet to reply to Bury's offer of a new deal, but the club is already resigned to losing him to Burnley when his contract expires on June 30. And there is still no news on Nick Daws. The midfield marvel was expected to put pen to paper on an improved contract at the weekend before heading off on holiday, but he is taking more time to consider it. Chairman Terry Robinson said: "We are delighted Steve Redmond has agreed to stay, I thought he played really well for us last year, particularly in the second half of the season before suffering injury. "There has been no movement with Dean West, in fact we can't get in touch with him." Manager Warnock added: "Dean has already told me he plans to sign for Burnley so I don't hold out much hope." Robinson has played down the Daws delay, stressing he was in no hurry for the player to sign up. "Nick still has two years of his contract remaining. All we have been trying to do is renegotiate to his advantage. There is no rush in that respect," he said. There have still been no bids for skipper Chris Lucketti. At least two clubs are believed to be chasing the central defender, but neither have made a firm approach. Robinson added: "Again, we are in no rush to sell. Chris is still under contract and our only concern is that he can walk out for free under Bosman next year. "If we receive no bids it may be that we have to extend his contract."

Sunday, 06 June 1999,

Bad Luck Bolton - The Sunday People:
Bolton may now decide not to pursue interest in Bury's £1m rated centre half Chris Lucketti, 27, after missing out on promotion to the Premiership.

Blades want Warnock - The Sunday People:
Neil Warnocks future at relegated Bury is still unresolved. It's understood Sheffield United could be interested in Warnock to replace Steve Bruce.

Friday, 04 June 1999

Updated list of first team and reserve team friendly games - The Official Bury FC Web Site:
First Team - (All matches are away from home)
Friday 16th July - RADCLIFFE BOROUGH - 7.00 p.m.
Monday 19th July - TORQUAY UNITED - T B A
Wednesday 21st July - TAUNTON TOWN - 7.30 p.m.
Friday 23rd July - WESTON SUPER MARE - 7.00 p.m.
Wednesday 28th July - HULL CITY - 7.15 p.m.
Friday 30th July - WHITBY TOWN - 7.00 p.m.
Reserve Team - (All matches are away from home)
Saturday 17th July - CURZON ASHTON - 2.00 p.m.
Tuesday 20th July - HARROGATE TOWN - 7.00 p.m.
Saturday 24th July - WORKINGTON - 2.00 p.m.
Tuesday 27th July - RUNCORN - 7.00 p.m.
Saturday 31st July - HYDE UNITED - 2.00 p.m.
Tuesday 3rd August - NORTHWICH VICTORIA - 7.30 p.m.
Friday 6th August - BRADFORD PARK AVENUE - T B A

Daws poised to sign up - Bury Times sent to me by Craig Morley:
SHAKERS ever-present Nick Daws is poised to sign a new contract and end speculation that he is ready to join Burnley. The 29-year-old star has been given assurances of the club's ambition to make an immediate return to Division One next year and is all set to sign on the dotted line this weekend. Daws, who still has two years remaining on his existing contract, has been linked with a move to Turf Moor in recent weeks but the offer of the Bury captaincy and a healthy pay rise looks certain to tempt him to stay on for another season at least. Manager Neil Warnock said: "We are very optimistic Nick will stay with us. We have put forward a very good offer to him because we value his services. "He has played three years without missing a game, which is a tremendous effort, and we have gone as far as we can with the deal. "Hopefully he will do the right thing. He has promised us an answer by Sunday when he is going on holiday." There was more good news for the Shakers this week when striker Kemajl Avdiu agreed to a new one-year deal. The Swede will be back at Bury for pre-season training after a loan spell with Partick Thistle. "We rate Kemo and we have told him he has to try and work his way into the first team," said Warnock. "We released him on loan at a time when he didn't fit into the team formation. Now we have decided to play a more attacking game we will be trying to find a role for him." Of the other players offered new deals, both Dean West and Steve Redmond have yet to respond. West is almost certainly joining Burnley, while Redmond is away on holiday. Meanwhile, the chase is hotting up for Chris Lucketti. The Bury skipper is wanted by a host of clubs with the phone lines busy at Gigg this week. "There are a couple of interested clubs but we can't say who until we have had an official bid," said Warnock. Blackburn Rovers are still favourites to land the star with Wigan Athletic close behind, although their signing of Barnsley's central defender Arjan De Zeeuw on Wednesday may lessen their interest. Warnock has not ruled out the possibility of a player-plus-cash deal for Lucketti - indeed that may be a strong option. "We were offered player-plus-cash for Chris last season, so I would not rule that out. It depends whether the two parties can agree on valuations," he added. With Lucketti certain to head out of Gigg Lane hot on the heels of Dean Kiely, Warnock is stepping up his search for replacements and confirms he has "a few irons in fires" at the moment. One of his targets is highly-rated Crewe defender Chris Lightfoot, with early talks already held with his agent. Speculation that goalkeeping coach Kevin Blackwell is quitting the club looks to be premature. Reports suggested he would be taking up a new role in South Africa, but he is already back in Britain and preparing for pre-season with the Shakers.

Work commences on the Cemetery End - The Official Bury FC Web Site:
Contractors moved into Gigg Lane this morning as work finally commenced on demolition of the Cemetery End terrace. With the £1.5million grant offer to the club towards the cost of a new stand fully confirmed, the final phase of Gigg Lane's 1990's rebuilding revolution is now underway. The steelwork on the crush barriers has already been removed today with the wooden terracing and the sheeting at the rear of the stand being the next area to be tackled. Following this the roof cladding and steelwork will be removed so that the contractors can finally start to break up and remove the concrete terracing. With a month already passed since the close of the 1998/99 season, the Shakers now face a race to make up for lost time as the new season gallops towards us. It obviously looks inevitable that the development will not be completed before the new season gets underway but with the police control block also being targetted for demolition, the club will have to ensure that a replacement is fully functional before the first ball is kicked next season.

Thursday, 03 June 1999

The following two stories have been lifted from Tuesday's Bury Times by Mike "The Type" Waring, cheers mate

No reprieve for Shakers - The Bury Times:
Bury's chances of holding onto their First Division status in the wake of Crystal Palace and Portsmouth's financial problems look to be zero. That much is certain after both clubs, along with Luton Town and Chester City, were threatened with expulsion from the League at the weekend unless they sort out their fiscal worries. Hopes were raised that the Shakers, as the highest of the teams relegated from the Nationwide League's top flight, could beat the drop if either Palace or Pompey were shown the door by League officials. But in a letter to all club secretaries the League have poured cold water on any hopes newly-relegated teams may have had of beating the drop. The letter reads: "The board gave the clubs notice to effectively remove them from the League, but suspended that notice subject to certain conditions to allow the clubs time to sort out their financial problems. "Those clubs will have to prepare proposals which are acceptable to the board and which will allow the clubs to exit from administration or receivership. "The board has agreed that it is minded not to allow any of the four clubs to start next season in administration or receivership." Crucially, as far as Bury are concerned, it went on to say that if any of the four pull out of the League once the new season's fixtures have been compiled, they will NOT be replaced in their division by another team. Palace appear to be in biggest trouble with owner Mark Goldberg believed to be £9 million in debt and the Selhurst Park outfit in administration until August at the least. However, with fixtures for the new campaign due out on June 22 it is very unlikely any expulsions will be forthcoming before that date.

Decision time! - The Bury Times:
Shakers boss Neil Warnock will this week begin chasing up players with new contracts in front of them as he plans for next season. And at the forefront of his mind will be the club's longest-serving player Nick Daws who has been offered the captaincy and an extended deal that would make him the highest paid player at Gigg Lane. Other first teamers offered terms are Dean West, Steve Redmond and Kemajl Adviu along with youngsters Martyn Forrest, Danny Swailes, Matt Barrass and Lee Buggie.

The Cemy End - Latest - Bury Times:
*The Shakers are a step nearer getting the grant needed to assist with the redevelopment of the Cemetery End. The club's request was discussed at last week's meeting of the Football Trust and met with a favourable response. An offer towards the cost has now formally been made - believed to be £1.5 million - and club officials must wait until the decision is ratified by the English Sports Council at their next meeting

Wednesday, 02 June 1999

New Warm up Dates Added - The Official Bury FC Web Site:
The Shakers have added two further pre-season friendly matches to their growing list of warm up games with away games against Hull City and Northwich Victoria. Bury will travel to Boothferry Park on Wednesday 28th July for a game which kicks off at 7.15 p.m. with a visit to the Drill Field following six days later (Tuesday 3rd August) with a 7.30 p.m. kick off arranged. It is possible that a squad or reserve team will be fielded for the game at Northwich Victoria.

Season Ticket Date Passed - The Official Bury FC Web Site:
The May 31st deadline for existing season ticket holders to renew their seat has now passed. This means that the club will now no longer 'reserve' seats which belonged to season ticket holders last season and all remaining seats are available for open sale. Anyone who has purchased a season ticket but has not yet picked a specific seat or wishes to change seat is also requested to contact the ticket office and arrange to chose a new seat as soon as possible.

Sunday, May 30 1999

Decision time on Eaves £15 Million Loss - The Guardian (Saturday's):
The fraud squad yesterday urged the former partners of Phillips and Drew, who lost up to £15m at the hands of one of their friends, to decide whether to report a criminal offence against him. Hugh Eaves, a former partner of the long established firm of stockbrokers shocked the City earlier this month after it emerged that he had lost the millions of pounds that 23 of his former colleagues had received in 1985 when they sold Phillips and Drew to Swiss Bank USB. The Partners, some of the City's top financiers, found out about the losses when Mr Eaves, the largest shareholder of Bury Football Club, wrote to them in April. Mr Eaves explained that he had lost the money, contemplated suicide then decided to come clean. While Mr Eaves has issued a statement in which he "regrets the circumstances in which he has now found himself"; he has not admitted any criminality. A spokesman for the City of London Police said yesterday that they were still waiting to hear from the solicitors representing the former partners about whether they wanted the Police to open an investigation. "The Fraud Squad would like to know. The sooner they start to investigate, the better their chance for success", the spokesman said. It is still not clear how Mr Eaves, who has been described as living a Walter Mitty style double life, incurred the losses. He did not work out of the offices of Phillips and Drew - now a fund management group, but it is understood the fund he handled was a client of USB's banking arm. The Partner's solicitors were unavailable for comment last but have said in the past that they are interested in finding ways of recouping the lost funds. In the letter to his friends, Mr Eaves is thought to have provided details of all his remaining assets - including a number of homes in Hampstead, a restaurant, sports cars and his shareholding interest in Bury Football Club.

Once I ever get back upto Bury for a weekend I am going to have to get Mike Waring a vast amount of beers, again Mike has spent a saturday night in front of his PC typing out all the letters from Friday's Bury Times (No Warnocks World this week). Mike, getting fed up with saying this to you, Thanks mate - beers are on me:

What might have been:
I hold the view that the fate of a team reflects it's performance and that of all concerned with the club over the whole season. However, I am intrigued by what may have happened if Chris Lucketti had been available for the penultimate match. The application of an instant suspension following his fifth caution, with only three matches left, was harsh and unfair bearing in mind the following decisions. At least four players, each with 11 cautions, were granted a reprieve from suspension and took part in matches, all involving relegation from Division One. A Manchester City player with 14 cautions was also reprieved, leaving him free to be considered for a place in the Division Two play-offs. Can anyone explain why this happens?
G.L. Lowe - Leeds

Let's start from scratch:
I would like to start by saying how disappointed I am at being relegated. However, this gives us the chance to start from scratch. So let's start by changing the style of football played at Gigg. We only need to look how well Martin Dobson did with little or no money and Neil Warnock is not capable of that and must go now. I feel John Hendrie as player-manager would be ideal for us and if we start playing good football the gates will start to rise.
Chris Harding - Radcliffe

I was part of the abuse:
I find it difficult to believe Neil Warnock has any supporters due to his lack of heart and commitment to Bury FC. I read the letters in last Friday's Bury Times with disgust as so-called Bury fans praised one of the worst managers we have had. You just have to look at his CV. His track record has been disgraceful. I believe all the abuse he received was understandable and I was taking part in it. I am a proud Bury fan and wear our colours with pride, but when you have a manager like we do you can't help but lose faith.
Loyal Fan - Name & address supplied

Merger is a non-starter:
In reply to the letter in the bury times (May 18) supporting the idea of Bury, Oldham and Rochdale becoming Manchester North End. I have to disagree that this is the best way forward. I am convinced that Bury needs it's own football club. It is, I believe, an essential part of the community, a meeting place, a talking point and promoter for the town of Bury. All the coverage the club receives in the press focuses attention on our town. Having recently spent seven months as the performance consultant to Shrewsbury Town, I was able to see at first hand the kind of problems clubs are currently facing. During my stays in Shrewsbury I was also able to learn just what a football club means to the supporters and the wider community. Along with better financing we need fresh ideas from all areas of the community from the clubs themselves to the fans and sponsors.
Richard O'Neill - Bury

Our football was dire:
Neil Warnock's reign at Bury Football Club has been an unmitigated disaster and I for one fail to see how retaining his services for an assault on Division Two can be justified. Certainly the argument of resources only leads one to the assertion that the club needs a manager who can work within these constraints. Warnock has proved this season that he is not that man. The tactics at Bury this season have been negative and the football dire. More damning in my opinion, however, has been the attitude of the manager towards supporters, players and the officials. There are no flies on Neil, all defeats can be attributed to outside forces, officials and it just not being 'our season'. Certainly Warnock does not seem to hold to the 'you make your own luck' argument. Last week was the final straw. After a season of unstinting loyalty from all the club - players have defended him in public while the board assure him his job is safe - the bury Times carries his comments about Adrian Littlejohn being 'a big disappointment. Man-management is clearly an alien concept to this manager. all season he has run down the players and the club, making them believe in a culture of inferiority when the message should have been the club plays at a high standard on merit.
Nick Metcalfe

Supporters must unite:
August 1998, Neil Warnock joins Bury. May 199, Bury are relegated. These are the cold facts that some Bury fans choose to ignore. If Warnock wants to stay at Bury he has to be man enough to take all of the anger and wrath of the supporters. He has to take responsibility for the situation and, unless he wants to be known as football's second Alan Ball, he needs to wake up. Next year will be a culture shock for some of the squad and, as we have come to expect, Stan Ternant is hovering over the club with his cheque book. Don't give him the satisfaction of taking Nick Daws, Mr Robinson! Empty the Gigg Lane coffers and go for broke. I call on al the fans to unite in one common goal - to start getting behind the club totally.
Damian Vincent Butler - Bury