Bury

Bury
Barrow offers deals to 12 players Barrow has offered new deals to 12 Bury players Bury manager Graham Barrow has offered new contracts to 12 players and released four others. He has also offered deals to Bolton midfielder Ricky Shakes and Blackburn defender John Fitzgerald, following successful loan spells at Gigg Lane. But Shakes, 20, is also weighing up an offer from Swindon as he prepares to leave the Reebok Stadium this summer. The quartet leaving the Shakers are Matt Barrass, Jon Cartledge, Terry Dunfield and Colin Woodthorpe. However, Woodthorpe may return in a different role, while Dunfield has been invited back for pre-season training. New deals have been offered to Glyn Garner, Lee Unsworth, Dave Challinor, Dave Flitcroft, Dwayne Mattis and Brian Barry-Murphy. Chris Porter, Simon Whaley, Paul Scott, Colin Kazim-Richards, David Buchanan and James Barrow have also been told they figure in Barrow's plans.

Bury buoyed by Gigg Lane buy-out
Bury have taken another step towards securing their long-term future by regaining ownership of their ground. Gigg Lane was bought by a local businessman when the League Two club was forced into administration in 2001. The Shakers have since been allowed to play there rent-free, but that arrangement was due to end this summer. However, the club's board has now struck a deal to regain ownership, which will save any rental payments and restore a major asset to their books.

Orient sign Shakers keeper Garner
Leyton Orient have signed goalkeeper Glyn Garner on a two-year contract, after he rejected the offer of a new deal at League Two rivals Bury. Garner, 28, replaces Lee Harrison, who was released by the O's last week. Boss Martin Ling told Orient's website: "I'm pleased to seal such an important signing so early in the close season. "The fact that Bury offered him a new deal shows the value they put on him and I'm glad we've been able to put together a package to entice him."

Pair sign new contracts at Bury
Midfielder Paul Scott and defender Brian Barry-Murphy have signed new one-year contracts at Bury. Scott, 25, moved to Gigg Lane last summer from Huddersfield, and made 26 appearances for Graham Barrow's side. Barry-Murphy, 26, also joined in 2004 after spells at Preston, Southend, Hartlepool and Sheffield Wednesday, and has had 49 first-team outings. However, first team coach Kelham O'Hanlon's contract has been terminated with immediate effect. A statement on the club website claims that "this decision has been forced upon the club due to the introduction of the transfer window... and the requirement of Bury Football Club to recruit and finance the extra players that the club will need." Meanwhile, the Shakers also expect Dave Flitcroft, Dave Challinor and ex-Blackburn defender John Fitzgerald to sign deals.

Shakers pair agree new contracts
Bury midfielder Dave Flitcroft and defender Lee Unsworth have both signed new one-year deals at Gigg Lane. Flitcroft, 31, told the Shakers' website: "The directors are trying to keep the squad together that for two thirds of the season was very good. "They have the foresight and the gaffer is working hard on the deals. They are trying to tie all the players up. "You usually get a big clearout and start again but as a senior player I'm thinking it's great."

Barrow irritated at slow progress
Bury boss Graham Barrow would like contract negotiations with the club's players sorted quickly so he can start making moves in the transfer market. Brian Barry-Murphy and Paul Stott have signed new deals but Barrow said: "It does get frustrating at this stage. "The younger lads have agents who tend to drag things out when you need to know what is happening. "We need to know just where we need to strengthen so we'll have to find out what the situation is."

Keeper Dootson seals Bury switch
Bury have signed keeper Craig Dootson following his departure from Conference North side Stalybridge Celtic. The 25-year-old agreed terms last week and has now put pen to paper on a one-year contract at Gigg Lane. Dootson, who started his career at Preston and also had a spell in the Conference National with Leigh RMI, was Celtic's player-of-the-year this year. Bury boss Graham Barrow still wants to sign another goalkeeper following Glyn Garner's recent move to Leyton Orient.

Challinor signs new deal at Bury
Bury skipper Dave Challinor is one of a quintet of players to agree terms offered by the Gigg Lane club. Challinor has signed a year's extension to his current contract, with an option for a further 12 months. Player of the year Dwayne Mattis has ended speculation by agreeing a new deal, along with Simon Whalley. John Fitzgerald - released by Blackburn - has accepted Bury's offer, and youngster David Buchanan has agreed a two-year professional deal.

Bury cleared over crowd trouble
Bury will not be punished by the FA for the crowd trouble which marred their final game of last season at Gigg Lane. Questions had been raised over Bury's preparations for the sell-out match. The game was held up by pitch invasions from Swansea fans, but Bury say they have been praised by the FA for their "stewardship throughout the match". The FA's report has been sent to the FA of Wales, who could decide to charge Swansea goalkeeper Willy Gueret for being arrested at the end of the game. Gueret was led away from the stadium in handcuffs after arguing with police officers while celebrating his side's promotion to League One. The 31-year-old Frenchman was held at Bury police station for two hours and ordered to pay a £80 fixed penalty fine for a "public order offence".

Shakers swoop for striker Smart
Much-travelled striker Allan Smart has agreed a two-year deal at Bury. The 30-year-old will join the Shakers once he passes a medical after being released by Milton Keynes Dons at the end of last season. Bury will become the 11th club Perth-born Smart has played for in England and Scotland. He has scored 51 league and cup goals in his career, which has included spells with Preston, Watford, Oldham and Dundee United.

Oldham sign Porter from Bury
Striker Chris Porter, 21, has joined Oldham on a two-year contract after rejecting a new deal at Bury. However, as he is under 24, the Shakers are entitled to a fee - which may be decided by a transfer tribunal. "When I found I might have the chance of moving to Boundary Park, I kept my fingers crossed - it has worked out for the best," he told Oldham's website. Porter has scored 18 goals in 71 League appearances for Bury - including nine from 32 outings last season.

Edwards agony over contract talks
Rochdale's long-serving goalkeeper Neil Edwards says he is torn between staying at Spotland and leaving to join Bury. The 34-year-old is still in talks with both clubs and is unhappy with the terms currently being offered by Dale. "I'm considering my options and I have to admit it is not the best time I've had as a professional," Edwards said. "I've been at Spotland for nine years and to leave would be a big wrench, but my first thought like anybody has to be my family and about paying the bills."

Bury furious about Tipton U-turn
Bury are furious after striker Matthew Tipton changed his mind about joining them and agreed a deal with an as yet unnamed club at the 11th hour. A statement from the Shakers read: "Both parties did agree a two-year deal. Negotiations were completed on Thursday and the contract was drawn up. "The player confirmed to the manager and club that he would sign on Friday. "However, the player received and offer that he described as 'silly money' from another club in League Two."

Mansfield win the race for Tipton
Mansfield have won the race for the services of former Macclesfield and Wales Under-21 striker Matthew Tipton. Tipton, 24, has agreed a deal with the Stags after pulling out of a proposed move to League Two rivals Bury. Former Oldham striker Tipton was also understood to be a target for Darlington after being released by Macclesfield at the end of last season. Stags boss Carlton Palmer is also close to completing a deal for a keeper to replace the departed Kevin Pilkington.

Bury poised to snap up O's Youngs
Bury are set to sign former Leyton Orient striker Tom Youngs after missing out on a move for Matthew Tipton. The 25-year-old has agreed terms with the Shakers and will put pen-to-paper on a contract when he reports for pre-season training on 4 July. Youngs was released by Orient at the end of last season after spending four months at Brisbane Road. The striker previously spent a lengthy spell at Cambridge United before moving on to Northampton.

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