TOM Aldred is gunning for back-to-back promotions after signing a two-year deal with Bury.

The former Blackpool captain led the Seasiders to glory in the League Two play-off final last season.

But the Bolton-born centre-back was tempted to make the switch from the Lancashire coast after watching Shakers boss Lee Clark unveil a steady stream of top-quality signings over the the summer.

The 26-year-old is convinced Clark – the man who signed him for Blackpool from Accrington – can be true to his word and bring Championship football to Gigg Lane.

“I know Lee Clark from my time at Blackpool,” Aldred told Bury Times. “We had a similar chat to when he took me there from Accrington.

“He said he wanted to rebuild the squad and be challenging for promotion.

"It didn’t quite work out that way back then but the proof is in the pudding now.

“You can see by some of the signings he has brought in that we are going to have a really good go at it this year.”

Aldred is the latest in a long list of proven League One performers to sign for Bury this summer, following players like ex-Preston striker Jermaine Beckford, Scunthorpe midfielder Stephen Dawson and Southend centre-back Adam Thompson.

But he admits it took time to decide on the move, after finally turning down the offer of a contract extension at Blackpool to join the Shakers.

“It was a tough decision to leave Blackpool,” he added. “I was well liked, I made more than 100 appearances, I was their longest-serving player and I was the captain, so it was a hard call.

“In the end, I sat down with my family and weighed up the pros and cons.

“I saw the players Bury were signing, it is 15 minutes from my doorstep and I felt I was ready for a new challenge.

“I’m glad I’ve left Blackpool on a high. I had some great moments there and I feel like I achieved all that I could in a way.”

However, there is stiff competition in the Bury ranks at centre-back and Aldred accepts he must prove himself alongside Nathan Cameron and fellow new signings Thompson and Eoghan O’Connell. But it is a challenge he is relishing.

He said: “It seems like a good bunch of lads here.

"Competition brings out the best in players so it’s only healthy for all of us.

"I’ve only trained once but you can tell the quality of the players in the squad is high.

“Training has been very impressive, especially the strikers. They are bound to score goals this year, so if we can keep it tight at the back then we will have the best chance of being successful.”

Fans will get their first chance to see Aldred in action tonight when Bury host Sunderland in a pre-season friendly. Kick off 7.30pm.