IT was a case of out with the old and in with the new in Bury's last match of what has been a successful return to League One.

Sunday's finale against Southend was the perfect opportunity to blood some of the club's much-vaunted youngsters and it was great to see Callum Sykes and Rob Bourne get on the pitch.

The introduction of 16-year-old Callum certainly captured the imagination. It is amazing to think someone born in 2000 could be ready for first-team football, but what an honour to be the first in the Football League to make his senior debut.

Callum and Rob did not have to look too far for a role model on Sunday as Ryan Lowe made his swansong at Gigg Lane.

You really could not have written the script better for Lowey, who showed what a larger-than-life character he is by stepping up to take all the plaudits.

I know it rankles a little that he was not awarded a hat-trick after having the first goal taken from him, but I am sure he would swap that one for the chance to slot home the match-winner in stoppage time.

It was great to see the reception he got from the Gigg Lane crowd, and even better to hear that he has not given up hope of returning one day as a coach.

To me, Ryan is proof that nice guys can be a success in football.

Sometimes it can be a bit of let down to meet your footballing heroes as a lot of players have an edge to them, that is part and parcel of being a competitor.

But Lowey is certainly one of the good guys - I have never met anyone who had a bad word to say about him, so he will be missed at Bury.

Time moves on though, and if young lads like Callum, Rob and academy product Anthony Dudley, who also played on Sunday and is highly regarded inside the club, can step up to the plate then the future is looking bright for the Shakers.

They should take a great deal of credit from the work done this season.

After starting like a house on fire it was to be expected they would hit a bit of a plateau at some stage, but they were able to steady the ship and managed to stay up quite comfortably in the end.

The goal must be to build on that firm foundation and I am sure the chairman and manager have a plan in place that will enable them to kick on next season.