IT is hard to know how the atmosphere will be at Gigg Lane on Saturday following the tragic loss of Neville Neville.

He was a massive part of Bury Football Club and it will be a sadder place without him for a long, long time to come.

Long before he became better known as the father of Gary and Phil he was famous in the town just as Neville Neville.

A great local cricketer and a larger than life character with a real passion for Bury.

He was commercial director when I signed and I know just what an important role he played at the club.

The way fans have reacted to his death shows just what he means to them and I know Saturday will be a really emotional day.

One thing I would say is how chuffed Neville would have been to see the start the club has made to the season.

Bury look to be a really good outside bet to play a role in the promotion race and that would have pleased him no end.

It is still early days but I believe the players David Flitcroft has signed are significant.

In bringing in players of the quality of Leon Clarke and Tom Pope he has made a really bold statement.

These two strikers are proven goalscorers at this level and their goals will make Bury a threat to the division’s more fancied sides.

Leon will not score an easier goal than his equaliser at Doncaster but he showed what he is all about at Wigan, forcing himself into a goalscoring position for the leveller before showing his clinical side with the last-minute penalty.

Tom might not have got off the mark yet but he will, and there is no telling where these two strikers can take Bury.

The only gap in the squad, in terms of cover, is at centre-back, but I think every team in the division is on the lookout for a strong central defender right now.

David Flitcroft can afford to bide his time, wait for five or six games before deciding how best to strengthen the squad.

He will be looking at maybe loaning someone in from a Championship club but without being able to guarantee them games it will be difficult.

But I would tell any young lad who is playing regularly for the Under-21s to give Bury a chance, as you cannot replace the experience of being in and around a first-team squad.

You have to prove yourself at some time and I can’t think of a better place and a better environment to earn your spurs at present.