LEAGUE One should hold no fears for Bury, according midfielder Nicky Adams, who believes their style of football is better suited to the third tier.

The former Shakers youth graduate helped inspire his boyhood club to promotion from League Two in his first season back following a seven-year hiatus.

And after spending much of his career playing in League One since leaving Bury for Championship club Leicester in July 2008, the 28-year-old is confident the current squad is capable of holding its own at that level.

“I am sure the gaffer will add one or two players in the summer but this squad has not been built with League Two in mind,” he said.

“It is full of players capable of playing at a higher level, so I don’t think we will have any problems.

“I have spent a lot of time playing in League One and I know what it takes at that level.

“In many ways our lads should find it easier because we will have more time to get the ball down and play.

“That will suit our style much more than League Two, which is all about the rough and tumble.

“We did what we had to do to get out of that league, but it was a battle – now we can start playing again.”

Adams was left on the sidelines for the final few matches as Bury battled to grind out the results that led to automatic promotion on the final day at Tranmere.

Yet despite watching nervously on from the substitute’s bench at Prenton Park, the Bolton-born winger says he was more than happy to play a supporting role.

“No-one likes to be left out, but none of that mattered in the end,” said Adams, who has another two years left on his Bury contract.

“We talked about it in the dressing room. Anyone who wasn’t picked to play just threw their support behind the lads in the starting line-up. It was a brilliant atmosphere – really tight – and I was proud to be a part of it.”

It was a far cry from the end of last season, when Adams admits falling out with previous manager Steve Evans and ended up watching on television as his Rotherham side won the League One play-off final.

“What happened at Rotherham was heartbreaking – the end to this season at Bury could not have been a bigger contrast,” he added, after making 44 appearances for the Shakers.

“I missed the last few games but the gaffer had a settled side that was grinding out 1-0 wins and I was happy to sacrifice myself for the team.

“But I am really pleased with the way my season went. I played 40-odd games and I weighed in with quite a few assists.

“When I came back I had to cope with one or two sniggers from a few people who said talk of promotion was a fairy tale

“But I believed in it and the fairy tale became a reality – I don’t see why it has to end here.”

The Bury squad continued their promotion party in Spain last weekend, but it was back down to business at Carrington yesterday as manager David Flitcroft drew up his retained list, which was still to be announced when the Bury Times went to press.

The Bury boss held one-to-one interviews with every player, setting out their goals for the summer.

A handful were waiting on new deals, with defenders Jim McNulty and Pablo Mills and goalkeeper Rob Lainton understood to be at the end of their current contracts.

Midfielder Joe Thompson, who signed on a temporary deal last season, has reportedly already had a trial with St Johnstone and is not expected to return.