|
Monday, 15 February 1999 |
| Mark declares war and peace! - Bolton Evening News: MARK Patterson has made his peace with Bury and now wants to go to war with the First Division. The midfield warrior believed he could have played his last game for the Shakers when he went on a two- month loan to Blackpool after a row with manager Neil Warnock over his lack of first team opportunities. Shakers chairman Terry Robinson even publicly announced the player had said he would never wear a Bury shirt again. But he was back sweating blood for the cause on Saturday and wants the chance to lead the troops in the battle against relegation. "It's good to be back," he said despite yet another away defeat and punchless team performance. "The things that were said between myself and the manager were in the heat of the moment and I admit I could have handled it better. "But that's all in the past and now all I want to do is play a few games. "Darren Bullock will be a good signing for us because he's a big, hard player and I would love to play in the middle with him because I think we could scare a few people." Patterson could get the chance he craves. His fighting qualities are exactly what Warnock is looking for as the relegation battle hots up with 15 games left. The boss believes that big hearts not fancy football will be the key to survival. And after seeing his side meekly hand a priceless victory to one of their biggest relegation rivals he admitted that only players who can scrap will win a shirt between now and relegation D-day. "Everybody will write us off but there are 15 games to go and we have to win battles," he said. "I have to pick 11 lads with big hearts and worry about football after. "You have to get people who are ready to roll up their sleeves and die for the cause." There is certainly plenty of room for improvement in that department if this sad show is anything to go by. The passion of the last five years looked a distant memory as they looked a team with relegation written all over them. And the will to win isn't the only thing Warnock has to find from somewhere. He also needs to stop his defence giving away goals with schoolboy errors and get his strikers to start having some shots on goal. The Shakers dominated possession with countless eyecatching moves right up to Matthew Robinson's 39th minute opener with his first ever professional goal. But they only once worried home keeper Andy Petterson before substitute Kemajl Avdiu's 94th minute consolation goal. At the other end goalscoring master craftsman Guy Whittingham regularly found himself in acres of space to conduct a running battle with the magnificent Dean Kiely, whose heroics saved Bury from a crushing defeat. Kiely, who earned a string of rave reviews after yet another dazzling performance which will further alert his army of admirers at bigger clubs, brilliantly clawed Whittingham's free header around the post eight minutes after the restart and produced an even better stop from the striker's flashing drive two minutes later. But he could do nothing when Whittingham made it third time lucky on 64 minutes when he planted another free header just inside the post. "I cannot believe some of the saves he makes," declared Patterson. "I have been in the game 17 years and he is up there with the best in my experience. His reflexes are phenomenal and how he is not in the Irish full squad I don't know Shakers scrap shares plan BURY have abandoned their ambitious plans to float on the stock market. The Shakers have decided against trying to become listed alongside the likes of megabucks Man United, Spurs and Newcastle 18 months after first revealing their interest exclusively in the BEN. Instead they are focusing their search to raise vital cash towards wealthy private individuals who might be prepared to take over the financing of the club from the present majority shareholder Hugh Eaves. Bury are desperate to entice big money men into the club to help them win this season's relegation battle and maintain their First Division status in the long term. They have been in contact with more than one interested party although talks have not gone beyond the preliminary stage. The £50,000 profit they have made from the £250,000 sale of Lenny Johnrose and the record £200,000 incoming transfer of Darren Bullock, which is expected to be completed today, will pay off their last remaining debts. It leaves Bury totally debt-free, a rarity in English soccer and a factor which makes them additionally attractive to potential buyers. Meanwhile, Chris Lucketti looks to have played his last game for Bury. The skipper failed to agree terms with Huddersfield after the Shakers accepted the Yorkshire club's offer of £750,000 plus two players, central defender Sam Collins and striker Paul Barnes. Those terms could well be settled this week unless Birmingham come in with a better offer first. Blues boss Tremor Francis wants Lucketti if he cannot get number one choice Jon Newsome From Sheffield Wednesday. Nick Daws is another wanted man with Burnley's ex-Bury boss Stan Ternent wanting to link him up with his midfield partner Johnrose who joined Burnley for £250,000 on Friday, although the asking price of around £750,000 could scare him off. Manager Neil Warnock said: "It wouldn't surprise me although I think Nick would be silly to go down and division at his age. I didn't think Lenny could play higher but Nick can play a lot higher." Warnock is also busy on the incoming transfer trail with his sights set on bringing in two players as well as Bullock before next Saturday's home game against Norwich. Shakers Sunk - The Pink: Bury moved deeper into Division One relegation trouble with a disappointing defeat by fellow strugglers Portsmouth. Neil Warnock's side failed to contain the experienced Pompey attack in a game they needed to win to keep away from the dog-fight developing at the foot of the table. The defeat leaves Bury in desperate need of a run of good results. They had made the brighter start as they looked to secure their first away victory of the season against hard-up Portsmouth. And Dean West had an early chance when he fired a second minute volley just wide of Andy Petterson's upright. Warnock's players looked up for the challenge but Portsmouth's experienced attack of Steve Claridge and Guy Whittingham then started to pose problems. Chris Swailes had to be alert to block a cross with Whittingham poised to score six yards out. After seven minutes only a late interception from Steve Redmond stopped a Thomas Thorgersen cross from reaching Claridge who was unmarked at the far post. Then on the quarter hour Whittingham cut inside Andy Wodward and unleashed a 20 yard shot which Dean Kiely in the Bury goal did well to stop at the second attempt. Warnock had to change his side around after 25 minutes when Chris Billy was forced out of the action with a cut above his left eye which saw Andy Preece come on as replacement on the left side of midfield. Swailes then found his way into the referee's notebook for a crude challenge on Whittingham. Bury were struggling to keep things tight at the back and eight minutes before half time their resistance finally broke and Pompey took the lead. Claridge turned Swailes in the penalty area and clipped in a cross. Matthew Robinson stooped to head past the exposed Kiely. A minute before half time Bury had another escape when the dangerous Claridge went down to a challenge from Redmond but the referee waved away appeals for a penalty. Patterson also went into the notebook for a late challenge on Alan McLoughlin as Bury began to feel the pressure of the constant Portsmouth attack. Kiely has to be at his best twice in the opening minutes of the second half to keep his side in the game. He produced a superb flying save to tip Whittingham's powerful header away for a corner on 53 minutes. And a minute later was on hand again to block from the Pompey striker. But on 64 minutes Whittingham finally beat him to make it 2-0, this time with a header from eight yards from McLoughlin's looping cross. Kemajl Adviu got a consolation goal for Bury in the 89th minute. |
|
Sunday, 14 February 1999 |
| Tony's Tester - Fans' Hero Faces Crunch - Saturdays Pink (With thanks to Michael Waring again): Gigg Lane's most skilful player is at the crossroads of his stop-start career. Tony Rigby is the midfielder the fans love, yet he has not always been the favourite of successive managers since he arrived in Bury from Crewe. He has fought back from injury but readily accepts he is far from match fit which was proved when he made a surprise start last weekend against Ipswich. But pint-sized Tony was confident enough in his own ability tot turn down a new contract, hoping to prove he is worth a better one at the end of the season. From club chairman Terry Robinson's point of view, Rigby has simply not played enough gams over the last two seasons to be value for money, yet the big man did make the contract offer. That alone shows he has faith in the player compared by club owner Hugh Eaves to Paul Gascoigne. Rigby told the Pink today: "The contract offered was similar to the one I signed when we were in the third division. I aim to make myself a first-choice player and then hopefully we can talk at the end of the season. I want to prove to everyone that I am worth first division wages." Rigby has no shortage of admirers...and not just on Gigg Lane terraces. Macclesfield, Swindon and Lincoln are amongst a clutch of clubs waiting to see if Warnock can bring the best out of the midfield maestro. The phenomenal form of Bury's Mr Reliable Nick Daws and tough tackling midfield partner Lennie Johnrose has limited opportunities in the middle of the park. Warnock is on record as saying the Daws is on the team sheet before he even starts thinking of the team! The boss reckons if Daws believes in himself a little more he'd be a premiership player - and Warnock has great admiration for Johnrose too. The manager was not too impressed by Rigby's return to the first team on Saturday. He said: "Tony realises that there is a big difference between playing reserve team football and being fit enough for first division matches. To be fair he will continue to work on his fitness. Everyone knows about his match winning abilities." Warnock Warns Of Trouble Ahead - Nationwide: Bury manager Neil Warnock was dismayed after Portsmouth consigned his side to yet another away defeat at Fratton Park. After the 2-1 defeat Warnock said: "We are heading for a record number of away defeats and it must change because we are going to get into trouble. "I'm disappointed because it was easy for us and I thought Portsmouth were there for the taking. "But we did not play the way I wanted and now they are three points above us and everyone will be starting to make us favourites to go down." Warnock Warning After Pompey Loss - Sporting Life: Bury boss Neil Warnock gave out a warning to his players after yet another away defeat, this time to fellow strugglers Portsmouth. He said: ``We are heading for a record number of away defeats and it must change because we are going to get into trouble. ``I'm disappointed because it was easy for us and I thought Portsmouth were there for the taking. ``But we did not play the way I wanted and now they are three points above us and everyone will be starting to make us favourites to go down.'' Portsmouth boss Alan Ball praised his players after they beat Bury 2-1. Ball said: ``I cannot fault my players because they are doing their best and working their socks off at a difficult time for the club. ``Our unbeaten run in the league keeps going on which is very pleasing and hopefully we can continue it over the next few weeks. ``We totally dominated this game, especially in the second half and we could have scored more than two goals. ``They only threatened us towards the end and I'm more than happy with the way we played.'' |
|
Saturday, 13 February 1999 |
| Whitbread And Awford Back In Harness - The Portsmouth News: Adrian Whitbread will link up with Andy Awford in the centre of the Pompey defence tomorrow to prevent Bury gaining their first away win of the season. The Shakers have drawn six times away from Gigg Lane and have lost their other nine outings. But they will be fighting tooth and nail to end that trend as they attempt to climb away from the division one cellar. Pompey are in no mood to surrender an unbeaten league run that stretches back to a defeat at Ipswich on Boxing Day, however. And skipper Whitbread is smacking his lips at the prospect of re-establishing his defensive partnership with stalwart Awford. Whitbread said: `We haven't played as many games together as we would have liked because of injury. `I was out for a long while after picking up a knee injury at Bristol City early in October, then Awfs went down with a similar problem at Christmas. `We've only played a handful of games together this season up until last weekend. But we had a good understanding before and we hope to pick up where we left off. `If we can keep our defensive shape it will make a big difference in the run in to the season just as it did last year.' Pompey know they must make the most of their outings in front of their fanatical supporters if they are to make headway up the table. Neil Warnock sides can never be regarded as an easy touch and Bury's battlers will put Alan Ball's team to the test. Whitbread added: `We have to capitalise on our home games and we didn't do that against Tranmere, although we did come up against a side reknown for drawing away games. `This time is it the reverse Bury haven't won away from Gigg Lane and we don't want to set them off by letting them pick up their first maximum haul on their travels. `If we win it takes us clear of them and the bottom three and it will be a psychological blow to them. Tranmere employed a direct approach last Saturday and Bury are likely to bombard Pompey with similar tactics. Whitbread added: `We found that out at Gigg lane earlier in the season. They are very direct and very strong and they like to get the ball into the box. `I don't think it will be any different tomorrow. We coped with that last weekend and I think we can do again. `But it will be down to us to create a few more opportunities as we go forward.' Lucky Switch - The Daily Mirror: Birmingham boss Trevor Francis is expected to switch his sights to Bury's highly-rated Chris Lucketti after pulling out of a £1.6 million deal for defender Jon Newsome in a row over payment terms. Sheffield Wednesday wanted £800,000 down plus the rest of the Newsome cash in two years, while City suggested 36 months. Francis, still seeking a replacement for injured skipper Gary Ablett in his promotion-chasing side, said: "I thought we had reached agreement. "But it seems that Wednesday got hold of the wrong end of the stick. The transfer is dead as far as I am concerned." Now he'll chase 27-year-old Lucketti instead. |
|
Friday, 12 February 1999 |
| Bury star locked in talks - Manchester Evening News: BURY skipper Chris Lucketti has had transfer talks with Huddersfield as the First Division rivals try to thrash out a £1m package. Lucketti, who met Huddersfield top brass in a Yorkshire hotel for two hours, told MEN Sport today: ``We didn't agree on everything and it is now a case of waiting to see whether something can be worked out.'' The deal would involve Lucketti joining the Terriers for around £700,000 with two Huddersfield players, striker Paul Barnes and centre-half Sam Collins, moving to Gigg Lane. One sticking point could be the sell-on clause agreed with Halifax when defender Lucketti joined Bury for a bargain £50,000. Shakers' chairman Terry Robinson said that gates at Bury are down this season by an average of 1,200 and this is affecting cash flow. The Shakers' manager Neil Warnock, who has vowed to bring in new recruits to pep the battle against relegation, set off with the team for Portsmouth this morning without Lucketti, who was having treatment to his thigh. Lucketti, 27, has previously been a target for Bradford, Crystal Palace and Middlesbrough. If a deal with Huddersfield breaks down it is expected that Birmingham's Trevor Francis, who has been in touch with Warnock asking to be informed of developments, will make a bid. Lucketti Deal On Hold - Nationwide Web Site: Bury skipper Chris Lucketti's proposed move to First Division rivals Huddersfield has been put on hold as the player and the club have so far been unable to agree terms. But Lucketti will still not be available for the relegation battle with Portsmouth at Fratton Park as he is still struggling with a thigh injury. Striker Lenny Johnrose has been sold by manager Neil Warnock to Second Division Burnley for a fee of £225,000. But Warnock has also moved to bring a player in with defender Darren Bullock set to sign from Swindon for a fee in the region of £200,000. But even if Bullock completes his move to the Shakers in time for Saturday's game, he will not be considered for selection as he is lacking match fitness. Striker Mark Patterson is included in the Bury squad after returning from his loan spell with Blackpool. Rivals Battle For Lucketti - Sporting Life: Bury skipper Chris Lucketti is at the centre of a tug of war between First Division rivals Huddersfield Town and Birmingham City. On the eve of Bury's vital game at Portsmouth _ both teams are in the relegation zone - the 27-year-old central defender has had talks with officials of the Yorkshire club, while City supremo Trevor Francis has admitted a keen interest. ``We don't want to sell Chris, but you can't stop other clubs coming in and making bids,'' said Bury manager Neil Warnock last night. ``Nothing will happen that is not in the best interests of Bury football club and Chris Lucketti.'' Ternent Stages Third Raid On Bury - Sporting Life: Burnley boss Stan Ternent has raided former club Bury once again and picked up central midfielder Lenny Johnrose for £225,000. The 29-year-old, who played an integral part in Ternent's success at First Division Bury, follows Gordon Armstrong and Peter Swan from Gigg Lane to Turf Moor. Johnrose, who started his career with Blackburn, said: "I don't see it as a step backwards moving into the Second Division. The size of the club and the ambition of the people has brought me here. I respect Stan and I'm delighted to be coming to Burnley." Lennie Johnrose Gone - The Official Bury FC Web Site: The shock news coming out of Gigg Lane today is that Lenny Johnrose is having talks with former Bury boss Stan Ternent and is expected to sign for Burnley before the mid day deadline. A fee has been agreed between the two clubs of £225,000 and it is now down to the player to sort out his personal terms. Johnrose joined the Shakers when Bury boss Mike Walsh picked up a bargain with a £5,000 transfer in December 1993. Lennie's midfield partnership with Nick Daws has been an integral part of the Shakers' climb from Division Three to Division One and he has now played in 180 + League games for the club, scoring 20 important goals. His remarkable consistency and ability to remain free of injury has also greatly assisted the club in recent years. The move will come as major blow to Neil Warnock on the eve of a crucial game with fellow strugglers Portsmouth. Following Lennie Johnrose' transfer to Burnley today, Bury manager Neil Warnock has move swiftly to agree terms with Swindon Town midfield player Darren Bullock. The Bury boss has been able to use all the cash from the Johnrose transfer to capture the new man and it is expected that Darren will formally complete the transfer to Gigg Lane early next week, making him available for the home game against Norwich City.Bullock, who actually celebrates his thirtieth birthday today, is a tough uncompromising competitor very much in the same mould as Johnrose and is very highly rated by Neil Warnock. He began his career with Nuneaton Borough before moving on to Huddersfield Town for £55,000 in November 1993. Darren played 128 games for the Terriers before joining Swindon Town in a £400,000 transfer in February 1997. He has completed 66 league games for the Wiltshire club in the two years since his move south. Auction for skipper Lucketti - The Bury Times: CHRIS Lucketti may have played his last game for Bury FC. Rival First Division clubs Birmingham City and Huddersfield Town were closing in on the talismanic Shakers skipper last night. The 27-year-old central defender has been at the centre of a tug-of-war between Blues boss Trevor Francis and Town counterpart Peter Jackson all week. And Shakers boss Neil Warnock has confirmed he has turned down a £900,000 bid for the star. The deal, believed to be from Huddersfield Town, was a player plus cash arrangement but fell down on the two managers' valuation of the man coming the opposite way. "We don't want to sell Chris but you can't stop other clubs coming to us and making bids. That said, we haven't had an acceptable offer yet," said Warnock last night. "The situation is changing from day to day and could change again before the weekend but nothing will happen that is not in the best interests of Bury FC and Chris Lucketti." Nevertheless, it is Francis who appears favourite to secure the signature of the Bury skipper, who signed a lucrative extension to his contract in September, after injuries to Darren Wassall and Gary Ablett seriously weakened his defensive options. His first priority is Sheffield Wednesday's John Newsome but if that falls through he is expected to up the bidding for Lucketti, a £50,000 signing from Halifax Town in October 1993. "I am still communicating with Neil Warnock and I have not given up the chase," said Francis, who is reported to have more than £1m at his disposal. It's been a chaotic week for the Bury boss who has had a growing number of clubs enquiring about several members of his first team squad. As well as Lucketti, Republic of Ireland B international Dean Kiely is being targeted, as is Lennie Johnrose, Adrian Littlejohn and Dean Barrick whose move to Ayr United is still a possibility. But Warnock is adamant no-one will leave without an adequate replacement being secured and he himself has been working hard to bring in three new recruits over the next week or two. The potential signings, a defender, midfielder and forward are desperately needed to bolster his wafer-thin squad for what is going to be a tough relegation run-in. "I am close to signing one player and am in discussions with a couple of clubs regarding others," he added. The Bury boss didn't rule out new faces arriving before tomorrow but one thing for certain is that Lucketti and Littlejohn will not be fit for the crucial relegation clash at Portsmouth. Lucketti's absence could work in the favour of forgotten man Steve Redmond. The former Manchester City and Oldham defender hasn't featured in the first team since the Watford game on the last day of October but could find himself back into first team contention at Fratton Park. The Cemy End Reduced - Bury Times: The Shakers received a massive blow this week when the Football Licensing Authority reduced the capacity of the Cemetery End. Licensing officials were at Gigg Lane on Tuesday and, as a result of their inspections, the capacity of the only remaining terraced area on the ground was reduced from 2,500 to 1,500 taking the overall ground limit to 10,840. It is a decision which is sure to have adverse financial repercussions on the club with promotion-chasing outfits like Sunderland, Bolton and Bradford City all due to play at Gigg in the coming weeks. The stand is due to be demolished in the summer months to make way for the final phase of Gigg Lane's all-seater redevelopment's. Second half collapse for homesick Shakers - Bury Times: It's difficult to say who'd be the least welcome on Saturday evening, David Johnson in the Bury FC Social Club or Monica Lewinsky at a Clinton family barbecue. For around the same time that the former White House intern's videoed evidence in the President's impeachment trial was being shown to the Senate, another passionate love affair was being strangled to death. Johnson, who moved to Ipswich in a £1 million deal fifteen months ago, had cries of "cheat, cheat, cheat" ringing in his ears from fans who used to worship him after he theatrically went down in the area under an innocuous challenge by Andy Woodward. Mark Venus blasted home the 50th minute spot-kick for the opening goal and there proved to be no way back for battling Bury. Two more goals from Tony Mowbray and on-loan Nottingham Forest striker Marlon Harewood put the match well beyond the reach of the out-of-sorts Shakers but it was the controversial circumstances of that all-important opener that riled all in the home camp. "I wish Johnno would come and educate some of our lads on how to go over," said Shakers boss Neil Warnock. "There was definitely no contact but there's no point in complaining, 99 per cent of referees would give a penalty like that. "We've got to learn that if you put a foot out like Andy Woodward did some players will go over - they actually look for it - top professional footballers get penalties like that because referees don't know any different." After the game Town boss George Burley put a gag on Johnson talking to the press but the striker's grinning countenance after the incident told it's own story. "I didn't touch him and was nowhere near him," explained a distraught Woodward. "He dived as soon as I went in, but looking back on it I shouldn't have gone to ground. I don't think the referee could see from where he was, if there was contact, fair enough, but there was none whatsoever. "In fact he (Johnson) kept laughing afterwards, he knew he'd cheated the referee but that's football!" Injuries to influential skipper Chris Lucketti as well as striker Adrian Littlejohn and leading scorer Laurent D'Jaffo meant Warnock was forced to shuffle the pack but his charges struggled to create anything in the way of goal chances and Town Keeper Richard Wright had a relatively easy time prior to his joining the full England squad this week. Giving away possession far too often it was a backward step from the recent improved performances and with a number of sides equal in quality to Ipswich due at Gigg Lane in the run-in the ability to hurt the opposition in the final third of the pitch will need to be re-found, and quickly. Yet for all their undoubted class Burley's side never looked like breaking the deadlock in the first period in which Woodward and Chris Swailes in the centre of defence were dominant. But for captain-for-the-day Swailes, the ex-Ipswich player who joined the Shakers as part of the Johnson deal, the match was to prove a personal tragedy. After playing the game of his life against his former club he amazingly gifted Harewood the third goal with a bizarre under-hit pass to goalkeeper Dean Kiely that fell straight to the youngster. And the aerial reliability that Lucketti usually provides was sadly missing for Town's second when Jim Magilton's corner wasn't cleared and Mowbray poked the ball home after a goalmouth scramble. Bury's best efforts were from long range with Nick Daws, Nigel Jemson and Lennie Johnrose all trying their luck without success. Midfielder Tony Rigby, forced into his first outing of the season, looked well short of match fitness and was eventually replaced by youngster Martyn Forrest who was getting his first taste of league action. In the final fifteen minutes the shell-shocked Shakers had Kiely to thank for keeping the tally down. The Irish international pulled off two superb reaction saves from Harewood and Matt Holland as the slick Suffolk outfit poured forward in search of more goals. "All the players did well until the first goal and once that went in there was only one team going to win the game," added Warnock. "All three were schoolboy goals and they didn't have to work for any of them. "We're disappointed, but Ipswich are a good side and won't be far away at the end of the season." Happy Birthdays for the Shakers - Bury Times: SHAKERS commercial boss Nev Neville said a big thank-you to greetings card giants Birthdays this week after they signed a new three-year deal as club sponsors. The Bury-based firm have acted quickly to renew their contract, which was due to expire at the end of the season, taking their association with the Gigg Lane outift to nine years. The highlight of the new deal will be the building of a new club shop the latest of Birthdays' successful The Football Superstore chain which will be up and running for the start of next season. Neville told the Bury Times: "This is an exciting announcement. Birthdays are the biggest employer in the town and we are very proud to be associated with them. "You see a lot of clubs changing sponsors on a regular basis, but in my 13 years at Bury we have had only two. "Birthdays have been loyal to us. They haven't jumped on the bandwagon because we have moved up through the leagues Ð they have been with us from the start." He added: "We have planning permission to build a 2,500 sq. ft shop which will be run by Birthdays. "It will be so much better than we have now and will be situated at the front of the ground on the side of the existing shop, which will become a lottery and ticket office. "After landing the new kit deal with Diadora, this is magnificent for the club." Neville refused to divulge exactly how much the three-year deal was worth to the club, but assured supporters: "We wouldn't have signed it if it wasn't good for Bury FC." John Lovering, chairman of Birthdays Group said it was essential to maintain the link with the Shakers. "We have built up a strong allegiance with Bury and it is important we are seen to be supporting the local community," he said. "As one of the major employers in the town, a lot of our staff are Bury fans everyone is talking about the game on a Monday morning. So it is important for the life of the company too." Steve Mason, general manager of TFS believes the new shop will excite all Bury fans, adding: "The superstore's souvenir and gift range will be 300 per cent bigger and we will sell a selection of Diadora leisurewear along with kits from other clubs, not just Bury. Clubs boosted by Bury Cashback - Bury Times: BURY FC's Cashback scheme has already pumped more than £2,000 back into the local community in just over a month. The fund-raising, and attendance-raising, initiative was launched at the Birmingham City home game on December 28 and is proving a big hit with those taking part. Cashback is one of the easiest ways to raise funds for local schools, sports teams and other groups. Fans are asked to sell specially discounted main stand tickets for Bury's Division One games at Gigg Lane. Those who sell more than 30 are entitled to a massive 40 per cent of the cash back. For example, if you sell 30 adult tickets at £10 each you get to keep £120. The Shakers are keen to get more people involved in the scheme and are prepared to visit anyone interested to spell out the benefits. Peter Young, from Bury FC's commercial department, said: "Cashback is a tremendous opportunity to raise lots of money for any recognised organisation simply be selling tickets for Bury home games and receiving back a full 40 per cent of all monies taken. "A substantial amount can be raised by selling only a small number of tickets." The staff at Bury's commercial department will provide all the help they can and will supply posters and promotional material if required. If you are connected with a group that needs to raise cash and you would like more information then call Peter Young or St. John Healey on . Games to come in 1999 are Crystal Palace, March 6; Barnsley, March 13; Sunderland, March 27; Bradford City, April 5; and Port Vale, May 9. Unfortunately, the clash with Bolton on April 24 will not be available to Cashbackers. Cash Strapped Shakers Sell Up - The Sun: Birmingham hope to land £1m rated "Striker" ? Chris Lucketti today after Bury put four stars us for sale in a bid to balance the books. Dean Kiely, Adrian Littlejohm and Lennie Johnrose are also available. Keily's on way - The Daily Star: Cash Strapped Bury are willing to let four of their biggest earners to leave in a desperate bid to balance the books. Republic of Ireland B keeper Dean Kiely, Skipper Chris Lucketti, striker Adrian Littlejohn and midfielder Lennie Johnrose will all be allowed to move. Lucketti looks set to be the first out of the door with Birmingham prepared to make a £1m move today to secure his signature in time for tomorrows trip to Stockport. |
|
Thursday, 11 February 1999 |
| Shakers eye new faces before relegation crunch - Bolton Evening News: BURY are desperate to boost their squad before Saturday. Injuries and outgoing transfers have left the Shakers down the bare bones as they prepare for the trip to Portsmouth which manager Neil Warnock describes as a relegation six-pointer. Bury were forced to throw Tony Rigby in at the deep end in last Saturday's 3-0 home defeat by Ipswich even though the midfielder was well short of match and general fitness. Warnock's hopes of striking a loan deal have been hit by the recent freezing spell. He explained: "We wanted to look at players at a couple of games this week but both were called off because of the weather. "I want to bring someone in on loan and I'm not looking at any position in particular because we can move one or two players around." Warnock says the mysterious rash which forced skipper Chris Lucketti to be sent home from training earlier this week is unlikely to keep him out of the Pompey trip. But the central defender's knee injury which sidelined him against Ipswich is still causing concern. "It will be a big plus if Chris makes it because this is a big game for us, a real six-pointer." Midfielder Mark Patterson could step straight back into the relegation fight after returning from a loan spell at Blackpool. |
|
Tuesday, 09 February 1999 |
| Spot of bother for Shakers' stars - Bolton Evening News: BURY skipper Chris Lucketti's latest spot of trouble is the pits. The £1.5m-rated powerhouse missed Saturday's 3-0 home hammering by Ipswich with a knee injury and has now been mysteriously floored by a shower gel. The new skin cleaner brought luckless Lucketti out in dozens of tender swollen lumps under both armpits yesterday and he was immediately sent home from training to prevent the condition from spreading to his team-mates. It was too late for fellow injury victim John Foster who shared Lucketti's gel and came out in lumps on his arms and chest. Lucketti saw a skin specialist who diagnosed the condition as folicolitis and put Lucketti on a course of anti-biotics. "There was just one lump at first," Lucketti explained today. The next day all under my armpits was swollen. There were a dozen lumps under both armpits which were really tender. "I didn't know what to make of it and all I could think of was that it was the new gel. Only myself and John Foster use it so I thought it must be that. "Whatever it is I don't think any of the other players will come anywhere near me." Lucketti missed Bury's first defeat in four games on Saturday and he is desperate to be fit for the visit to fellow relegation-threatened Portsmouth on Saturday. Mark Patterson could go straight back into the Shakers side at Pompey after returning to Gigg Lane today following a month on loan at Blackpool. |
|
Monday, 08 February 1999 |
| One-time Gigg idol sparks fans fury - Bolton Evening News: Once the darling of the Shakers supporters David Johnson left town as Public Enemy Number One after this Gigg Lane clash. The former Manchester United junior who moved to Ipswich in a £1 million deal had cries of "cheat, cheat, cheat" ringing in his ears from fans who used to worship him after he theatrically went down in the area under an innocuous challenge by Andy Woodward. Mark Venus blasted home the 50th minute spot-kick for the opening goal and there proved to be no way back for the battling Shakers. Further goals from Tony Mowbray and on-loan Nottingham Forest striker Marlon Harewood added to the torment but it was the manner of the crucial opener that riled the Gigg Lane camp. "I wish Johnno would come and educate some of our lads on how to go over," said angry Shakers boss Neil Warnock. "There was no contact but there's no point in complaining, 99 per cent of referees would give a penalty like that. "We've got to learn that if you put a foot out like Andy Woodward did some players will go over it - they actually look for it - top professional footballers get penalties like that because referees don't know any different." Missing influential skipper Chris Lucketti as well as strikers Adrian Littlejohn and leading scorer Laurent D'Jaffo Bury found it difficult to make inroads on the visitors goal and Town keeper Richard Wright had a relatively easy time prior to his joining the full England squad this week. Yet for all their possession and neat, intricate passing the Suffolk side never looked like breaking the deadlock in the first period in which Woodward and Chris Swailes in the centre of defence were dominant. But for captain-for-the-day Swailes, the ex-Ipswich player who joined the Shakers as part of the Johnson deal, the match was to prove a personal tragedy. After playing the game of his life against his former club he amazingly gifted Harewood the third goal with a bizarre under-hit pass to goalkeeper Dean Kiely that fell straight to the youngster. And the aerial dominance that Lucketti usually provides was sadly missing for Town's second when Jim Magilton's corner wasn't cleared and Mowbray poked the ball home after a goalmouth scramble. Bury's best efforts were from long range with Nick Daws, Nigel Jemson and Lennie Johnrose all trying their luck without success. Midfielder Tony Rigby, forced into his first outing of the season, looked well short of match fitness and was replaced by youngster Martyn Forrest getting his first taste of league action. But disappointed Woodward summed up the afternoon: "I thought we defended well up to the penalty but the second and third goals were sloppy. "I don't think Ipswich were three goals better than us but we didn't look like the team we have done over the past few games. Venus Puts Ipswich Over The Moon - Nationwide Web Site: Ipswich manager George Burley had no doubts about the penalty decision which turned the game against Bury at Gigg Lane. Former Shaker David Johnson was judged to have been brought down by Bury defender Andy Woodward on the edge of the area. Bury claimed for a dive but Mark Venus converted the spot-kick on 50 minutes. Tony Mowbray scored a second goal on 71 minutes and Marlon Harewood made it 3-0 five minutes later. Burley said: "For me, it was a blatant penalty and the referee thought that as well. If you slide in and miss the ball and catch the player, you know what the decision is going to be." The three points has boosted Ipswich's promotion charge and Burley was understandably delighted. He added: "I was pleased to come away from home and score three goals. It was a good all-round performance as it keeps us up there." Bury boss Neil Warnock admitted that Woodward should not have made the challenge. Warnock said: "I'm sure 99 per cent of referees would have given it. I cannot condemn Johnson for going down, I wish we'd got people to do that. The referee was miles away but what is the point of complaining. Woodward has just got to learn not to put his foot there." |
|
Saturday, 06 February 1999 |
| Woodward At Fault - Says Warnock - Sporting Life: Bury boss Neil Warnock admitted that Andy Woodward should not have made the challenge which gave Ipswich the penalty decision that turned the game at Gigg Lane. Former Shaker David Johnson was judged to have been brought down by Bury defender Woodward on the edge of the area. Bury claimed for a dive but Mark Venus converted the spot-kick on 50 minutes. Tony Mowbray scored a second goal on 71 minutes and Marlon Harewood made it 3-0 five minutes later. Warnock said: "I'm sure 99 per cent of referees would have given it. I cannot condemn Johnson for going down, I wish we'd got people to do that. "The referee was miles away but what is the point of complaining. Woodward has just got to learn not to put his foot there." Ipswich manager George Burley had no doubts about the penalty award. Burley said: "For me, it was a blatant penalty and the referee thought that as well. If you slide in and miss the ball and catch the player, you know what the decision is going to be." The three points has boosted Ipswich's promotion charge and Burley was understandably delighted. He added: "I was pleased to come away from home and score three goals. It was a good all-round performance as it keeps us up there." Warnock Without Four - Nationwide League Site: Bury manager Neil Warnock is almost certain to be without four key players for the visit of promotion-chasing Ipswich to Gigg Lane. Chris Lucketti suffered a thigh injury in the 1-1 draw with Swindon and Adrian Littlejohn picked up a knee problem moments after scoring the Shakers' goal last Saturday. Dean West tweaked his groin and has been unable to train all week, while John Foster suffered a knock in a midweek reserve outing. Tony Rigby is brought into the squad and Warnock has also included young right-sided midfielder Martin Forrest. Warnock said: "We will leave it until the last minute but I would not be surprised if all four of them are ruled out, which is the last thing you need when you are playing Ipswich." |
|
Friday, 05 February 1999 |
|
Play me says Patterson - Bury Times: OUT-OF-FAVOUR Shakers star Mark Patterson today tells why he believes a move from Gigg Lane is his only option. In an exclusive interview with the Bury Times the popular midfielder explains his desire to leave the club claiming all he wants is a regular run in the first team. Patterson, who admits to being no fan of the direct style of soccer advocated by Neil Warnock and his predecessor Stan Ternent, reckons he has earned a regular place on his performances this season. And he feels upset and disappointed at being painted as a 'bad boy' by chairman Terry Robinson at Monday evening's packed fans' forum at the Elizabethan Suite. Answering a question on the night the Shakers supremo angrily told fans that Patterson "didn't want to play for the manager and didn't want to play for Stan Ternent either," adding that "He (Patterson) admits it was a mistake for him to come back to Gigg Lane for a second time." After hearing the comments, Patterson, currently on loan at Blackpool, contacted the Bury Times to put his side of the story. "What has upset me is the chairman's quote that Mark Patterson doesn't want to play for the club and didn't want to play for the last manager," he said. "It's unfortunate that I'm being made out to be the bad boy for refusing to play for Bury but I can assure everyone that if the manager turned round and said he was going to give me a good spell in the first team I'd be delighted to play for the club. "I know no player has a divine right to be in the team but when someone goes into the side and does well, like I feel I have, I think they deserve a run. Patterson admits things weren't right between him and former boss Stan Ternent following his move from Sheffield United in December 1997. "I felt I played my part in keeping the club in the First Division last season but I just didn't fit in with Stan Ternent's tactics and I didn't believe in them. "After the Sunderland game we had words and didn't see eye-to-eye after that but I've still the greatest respect for what he did for Bury FC. "Then Stan and Sam Ellis moved to Burnley and I felt I had a good pre-season with Neil Warnock and to be fair he made his views clear from the start that he didn't plan to play me in every match. "But I'm almost 34, still keen and fit, and didn't want to be in the team one week and out the next and I told him so. " The point is if I'm not playing on a regular basis at Bury I don't want to be here. But whenever I've put a shirt on for the club I've always given 100 per cent and the last time I was here I even waived a good deal of money they owed me because of the bad financial situation they were in at the time and I want the fans to know that. "Looking back it probably was a mistake to come back for a second time but only because I want to play first team soccer every week." Dean's clanger is costly - Bury Times: THREE points from three games might not constitute a revival, but it's a start. Bury remain locked in at the gloomy end of the division but the future is a whole lot brighter than it was a month ago. Four straight defeats and a system that had gone stale was real cause for concern. But the switch to a more attacking formation has paid immediate dividends with impressive draws against Huddersfield and QPR before this latest dominant display. The Shakers stifled Swindon for 45 minutes before adding a swagger to their purpose in an exciting and imaginative second half in which Neil Warnock's men looked more like promotion chasers than relegation battlers. Not even the loss of inspirational skipper Chris Lucketti seconds before half time could knock them off their stride. Instead, with the outstanding Andy Woodward ensuring Lucketti was not missed and the introduction of an extra striker in Adrian Littlejohn the injury proved tougher on Swindon than Bury. The home side couldn't handle the strong direct running of Littlejohn and Lutel James who produced another highly encouraging performance. Behind them Nick Daws was the game's class act and, along with Lenny Johnrose, cut off any Swindon attacks at source. Full backs Paul Williams and Woodward first half then Dean West second half denied home strikers George Ndah and Iffy Onuora any service from the wings and the outcome was one-way traffic which would have comfortably brought a first away victory of the season with better finishing Ð and without Dean West's bizarre own goal three minutes from time. Swindon had failed to trouble Dean Kiely all afternoon and David Kerslake's hopeful cross posed no danger until West directed his intended clearance into the top corner. The full back, who knows all about soccer's highs and lows after celebrating his return from a long injury absence with a spectacular goal at Huddersfield, was devastated. But Warnock quickly put a smile back on his face. "He told me I'd been out of the game for 16 months and now I've scored two goals in three games," said West breaking into a rare smile as he bravely held up his hands for his mistake. "I was just trying to head the ball over. It was a real kick in the teeth because the game was won and we fully deserved the three points. "It was one of the best away performances we have put in this season and we were never in any trouble. Without a win in seven games and still looking for their first away victory the odds were once again stacked against Bury against an improving Swindon - but then the form book has never meant much to the Shakers. They were desperately unlucky not to take the lead two minutes before the end of an otherwise forgettable first half when James broke well down the right and his powerful low cross was met first time by Nigel Jemson only for Frank Talia to save brilliantly at point blank. The £200-a-week man James, who answered his critics with a bright and hardworking performance both with his back to and running at defenders, twice went close when he was inches away with connecting with a Johnrose cross-shot and then with a sharp shot on the turn. Johnrose should have done better than head well wide when he was left alone by Swindon's poorly timed offside trap from a Daws free kick and Jemson twice just cleared the crossbar with a dipping shot and a looping header. Bury finally got the goal they deserved when James used his strength to shake off Sol Davis, his speed to dart in from the right and his skill to deliver a glorious cross for Littlejohn to neatly back heel his first goal for the club at the near post Fans forum is big success - Bury Times: ORGANISERS of Monday night's Bury FC Supporters' Association launch are still in shock at the incredible turn-out which greeted them at Bury Town Hall. A packed house meant nearly 200 Shakers fans were locked out of the Elizabethan Suite for the big event. Those lucky enough to get in were treated to superb evening, culminating in a fans' forum in which a Bury panel, headed by manager Neil Warnock, faced a barrage of questions. An incredible 1,000 supporters had signed up to the Association by the end of the night, much to the delight and surprise of acting chairman Brian Rigby. "We were overwhelmed by the attendance," he said. "It just goes to show that Bury FC are well supported by a loyal core of fans. The evening was fantastic." Rigby sent his apologies to those turned away and admitted things could have been organised differently. "Our apologies go to all those who didn't get in, we just didn't know how many people to expect. We hope they understand that we genuinely couldn't allow anyone else in," he said. "We could've made it clear that we would start at 7.30pm and we should've advised people that once the room was full we were under orders to shut off." Manager Warnock was joined on the forum panel by chairman Terry Robinson, commercial boss Nev Neville and players Chris Lucketti and Dean Kiely, who this week received a call-up to the Republic of Ireland B team. Amid growing speculation that one or both players may have to be sold for financial reasons, the duo assured fans they were in no hurry to move on. "I am one league down from the best league in the world so I am more than happy to be playing for Bury," said Kiely. "We both have 12 months left on our contracts and we will review things with the manager and chairman next season," added Lucketti. Both players hit out at the minority of so-called fans who have been verbally abusing teammate Chris Billy from the stands and appealed for supporters to pull together. The Bury skipper said: "Chris has got some abuse over the last couple of weeks and it is not welcome and it doesn't help his performance. He is big enough to get over that, but if he had everybody behind him, like every other player in the team, I am sure you would see the best of him." Kiely commented: "Bury is not the kind of club where supporters turn on players when things are not working out. If we start sniping at eachother, that is when the problems will start." The club also announced it had signed a three-year kit deal with Diadora. The new Shakers strip should be out in time for the summer holidays. Anyone wishing to join the Bury FC Supporters' Association can still do so at the discounted introductory membership price of £8 adults, £4 junior and OAPs. The offer runs until the inaugural AGM on March 8. Forms are available from the club shop. Bury's new internet site, which features more than 500 pages of information on the club, will be launched today (Friday) at 12 noon. It can be found at www.buryfc.co.uk. Tigger still to figure - Bury Times: TONY Rigby's decision to turn down a new Bury deal this week does NOT necessarily spell the end of his Gigg Lane career. The fans' favourite rejected the Shakers' offer on Monday and has opted to concentrate on regaining his fitness before making any decision on his future. But Bury boss Neil Warnock says the skilful midfielder, who has made only eight first team starts in two seasons, still figures in his plans. "I have brought him into the squad for tomorrow's game, although I do not know whether he will play yet," he said. "Tony is holding back on a decision until the end of the season, which he is entitled to do." Chris Lucketti will be given until the very last minute to prove his fitness for tomorrow's home clash with Ipswich. The Shakers skipper suffered a thigh strain in the draw at Swindon last weekend, but has responded well to treatment. "Chris looked very good on Tuesday but the blood came out on Thursday and the back of his knee was black," added Warnock. "He really wants to play against David Johnson, but it looks more likely that he will miss the game." Warnock has another injury worry in Dean West (groin), who would switch to right back if Andy Woodward was called on to deputise for Lucketti. "The big problem will arrive if Chris and Dean are both ruled out because John Foster, who would replace Dean, picked up a knee injury in the reserves in midweek," said the Bury manager. Former Bury striker David Johnson returns to Gigg Lane in poor form having failed to find the net in his last nine starts for Town. Warnock, however, knows just how dangerous he is. "He will want to score against Bury and it is up to us to stop him," he said. "Ipswich are one of the best sides we have played this season. We got a 0-0 draw at their place so hopefully we can go one better at home." Ipswich will have two senior England internationals on show Richard Wright, Town's hero in last season's corresponding fixture (1-0 to Ipswich), and Keiron Dyer. Dyer told the Bury Times: "It's been a great week for me but I am totally focused on Bury. "After losing David Johnson, what Bury have done this season and last is incredible. Everybody at Ipswich has the utmost respect for them, especially after the way they played at our place in August." Dean Kiely will play for the Republic of Ireland B team against the League of Ireland on Tuesday night and so will not miss any Bury games. The Shakers have confirmed that the Liverpool player they have been chasing is John Newby, but that deal is now dead. New stand is a winner - Bury Times: BURY FC's plans for the new £2m, £3,500-seater Cemetery End were unveiled by the club this week and have been given a big thumbs up from supporters. The stand will complete Bury's transition to an all-seater stadium and boost Gigg Lane's capacity to 12,500. Work on the new development, which will join on to the South Stand, will begin at the end of the season and should be completed in time for the start of the 1999/2000 campaign in August. Chairman Terry Robinson explains: "The work will be carried out in two stages. The first will be to get the seats in and try to fill them, before we turn our attention to the executive boxes. We may even have the whole development ready for the start of the season. "It will be a super new stand and will finish the ground off perfectly." Shakers fans were given a sneak preview of the plans at Monday night's Bury FC forum, where one supporter called for the new stand to be named after majority shareholder Hugh Eaves as a thank you for his financial support over recent years. Robinson responded: "He isn't the type of man who would want that to happen, but it will be considered. I think that was a very kind suggestion." As part of the new development, the club is hoping to reintroduce the popular Boys' Stand which was demolished in the mid-Eighties. The chairman added: "There will be a tunnel in the corner of the stand and a section of seating above that, which we hope to reserve for that reason. It will have to be the Young Persons' Stand though." The following stories are a bit of trial and error, mainly cos I have just lifted them from the new all singing, all dancing "Official Bury FC Web Site". Nev, if you don't want me lifting stories from the Official Site, please let me know and I will stop. Best wishes with the new site though, nice to have some more news than the norm. Bury FC Hits The Net - The Official Bury FC Web Site: |
|
Wednesday, 03 February 1999 |
| City eye Bury ace - Bolton Evening News: LINCOLN City have been alerted by Tony Rigby's refusal to sign a new contract at Bury. The 26-year-old midfielder's future almost certainly lies elsewhere after turning down a new deal and Second Division Lincoln are just one of a number of clubs likely to offer him first team football. Rigby is just returning to fitness after several months out injured and Bury would prefer to offload him quickly and pick up a transfer fee than wait until the summer when he will be able to walk out for free Ellis Signs For Stockport - Sporting Life: Stockport have signed Bury striker Tony Ellis in a £25,000 deal. |
|
Tuesday, 02 February 1999 |
| Rigby rejects offer - Bolton Evening News BURY midfielder Tony Rigby has turned down a new contract offer. Shakers chairman Terry Robinson broke the news at a packed fans' forum organised by the newly-formed Supporters Association last night. Mr Robinson revealed that Rigby, a big favourite with Gigg Lane fans, had rejected the new deal earlier in the day. Manager Neil Warnock explained that Rigby, who is currently recovering from a hernia operation, "feels he wants to spend the rest of the season getting himself fit before he sorts out his future." Shakers Chiefs double shock - Manchester Evening News: A double whammy from Bury chairman Terry Robinson stunned fans at a packed inaugural meeting of the clubs Supporters Association last night. Two hundred were locked out of Bury Town Hall for the meeting followed by a fans forum organised in association with MEN Sport and BBC GMR radio. Robinson revealed that big favourite Tony Rigby had turned down the offer of a new contract and in reply to another question said that fellow midfielder Mark Patterson, on loan at Blackpool, has said he doesnt want to play for the Shakers again. The tough talking chairman said, "Rigby has played eight games and 21 as substitute in two seasons. He was offered a new contract and turned it down." Regarding Patterson, he said, "He has made it perfectly clear he doesnt want to play for this club. He wants a free transfer. Its diabolical and I dont want to hear any more questions about it! Patterson admits it was a mistake by him to have come back to the club." Manager Neil Warnock who was present along with most of the Bury first team squad, praised two other midfielders, Nick Daws and Lennie Johnrose, claiming that they are the best in the League. Warnock said of Daws, "Daws could play at the top level if he sets his mind to it. He is on the team sheet before you even start thinking about it." An amazing 750 fans were present to hear the clubs commercial director, Neville Neville, announce a new kit deal with Diadora which should boost souvenir shop revenue. Brian Rigby, chairman elect of the new association which now has 1,000 signed up members said, "Id like to apologise to fans who were locked out. The attendance was amazing and I doubt there is any venue in the town that could have coped with so many people." |
|
Monday, 01 February 1999 |
| Late own goal denies Shakers - The Bolton Evening News: Swindon Town 1 Bury 1 JOKING Neil Warnock put a smile back on Dean West's face after the luckless defender cost Bury two priceless points with a horrendous own goal three minutes from time. West knows all about soccer's highs and lows after celebrating his return from 16 months out injured with a spectacular goal in the Shakers' last away day three weeks ago. But the stylish right back was inconsolable after heading David Kerslake's hopeful cross into Dean Kiely's top corner - until Warnock lifted his spirits. "He told me I'd been out of the game for 16 months and now I've scored two goals in three games," said West with a rare smile as he bravely held up his hands for his mistake. "I was just trying to head the ball over. It was a real kick in the teeth because the game was won and we fully deserved the three points. "It was one of the best away performances we have put in this season and we were never in any trouble." Bury built on their improved display against Huddersfield and QPR with a totally dominant display in which they denied Swindon a single serious effort on goal and could have won by a handsome margin with a bright second half attacking show. And while three points from three games is scarcely cause for celebration, the future looks far brighter than it did during their previous dismal run of four successive defeats. Without a win in seven games and still looking for their first away victory the odds were once again stacked against them against an improving Swindon side - but then the form book has never meant much to Bury. They were desperately unlucky not to take the lead two minutes before the end of an otherwise forgettable first half when the impressive Lutel James broke well down the right and his powerful low cross was met first time by Nigel Jemson only for Frank Talia to save brilliantly at point blank. Hardworking Things were looking bleak when inspirational skipper Chris Lucketti was carried off with a thigh strain on the stroke of half time. But with the ever dependable Andy Woodward slipping smoothly into the centre of a rock solid defence, Nick Daws and Lenny Johnrose increasingly dominant and Adrian Littlejohn adding an extra attacking dimension alongside Jemson and James, Bury took the game to Swindon in style. The £200-a-week man James, who answered his critics with a bright and hardworking performance both with his back to and running at defenders, twice went close when he was inches away with connecting with a Johnrose cross-shot and then with a sharp shot on the turn. Johnrose should have done better than head well wide when he was left alone by Swindon's poorly timed offside trap from a Daws free kick and Jemson twice just cleared the crossbar with a dipping shot and a looping header. Bury finally got the goal they deserved when James shook off Sol Davis and delivered a glorious cross for Littlejohn to neatly back heel his first goal for the Shakers at the near post. "It was a great ball in from Lutel and it could sneak in for goal of the month," smiled Littlejohn. "But we are gutted because we know it should have been three points. To play so well and have it snatched away is hard to take. "But we all feel for Dean, it's just one of those things." "If we can work with that spirit we will win more games than we will lose," said Warnock. "It's a long time since we have dominated a game like that. If we just had a bit more confidence in our finishing one or two of our other chances might have gone in. "But the lads believe in the system (4-4-2) and we are playing more good football. To lose Chris Lucketti, who is captain and such an inspirational player, and having to reshape made it difficult but Andy Woodward came of age and everything was great. "You could sense the relief all over Wiltshire when that own goal went in, but we never do anything the easy way at Bury. |