Knill to put faith in kids

9:35pm Friday 30th May 2008

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ALAN Knill expects to keep the conveyor belt of young talent rolling again next season.

The Bury boss has backed the likes of Jack Dorney, Ricky Anane, Cameron Belford and Dale Stephens to make their mark in League Two and join the long list of players to have burst through to the first team from the junior ranks.

"We rely on bringing young players through, and rightly so," the Bury boss said.

"We're not MK Dons or Peterborough, we can't go out and buy everyone in the league, so we need to produce it.

"That's the reason I am where I am today, I believe in bringing young players through the system as I did at Rotherham in my last job."

Knill has already made public his desire to keep the Gigg Lane tills rolling, just as he did at Millmoor where he sold over £2million of talent to keep the club afloat.

The situation is by no means as critical at Bury, but Knill believes a balance must be struck between success on and off the field.

"I make no apology that I want to make money for the club, it is what I am good at," he said.

"But you do have to make sure you are delivering results. That is what you are judged on.

"Bringing players through the system is the way forward because supporters do want to see homegrown players. I do, and it is the only way we can survive as a club.

"We have got a good group right now and we are working with them to make them better. I'm sure that will be bearing fruit pretty soon."

l Bury press officer Gordon Sorfleet has been voted Interactive Webmaster of the Year by the Football League.