RYAN Lowe says he begged Crewe to let him go in order to return to Bury for a third spell.

The popular striker, who left Bury for Gresty Road last summer, signed a deal on Tuesday to return to Gigg Lane as player/coach after the Railwaymen agreed to tear up his contract.

Lowe’s playing contract with the Shakers will run until the end of the season at which time he is expected to take a step back to join Chris Brass’ back-room staff on a full-time basis.

“I’m over the moon to be back at Bury,” the 38-year-old front man told the Bury Times. “When it all surfaced about six weeks ago it gave me a difficult decision to make.

“I had to think about the future, I’m not going to play forever and it was always my plan to become a coach. Bury came in with an offer and I literally begged Crewe to let me go. I am eligible to play but potentially that might not happen.”

Lowe is excited to help young Shakers strikers, such as George Miller and Rob Harker, reach their full potential.

Miller, who cleaned Lowe’s boots during the Liverpudlian’s previous spell at the club before graduating from the youth team, has scored five goals in 15 games since becoming a first-team regular this term.

“My aim is to help the young lads such as George Miller and Rob Harker. I will always be there to help them,” added Lowe, who helped Bury clinch promotion in his first two spells with the club.

“The youth team has been doing really well and Ryan Kidd and Mark Litherland deserve massive credit for that. It’s not a surprise to see George doing well. He used to be my boot boy [in my last spell at Bury] and was always asking for advice so I’m glad that has helped him.

“I only wish all of my boot boys would turn out like him. I’m sure he will go on to have a fantastic career. There’s not much you can change with George but I can offer advice – maybe when to side-foot a shot instead of smashing it.

“I’ll also be here for the likes of Popey and James Vaughan to lean on, not that Vaughany needs it, he’s on fire.”

Bury have also clinched the signing of former Liverpool winger Jermaine Pennant, who has been cleared to play in Saturday’s League One match at home to Walsall.