BURY legend Craig Madden is delighted to see his former side boasting such an impressive attacking threat.

Madden spent nine years at Gigg Lane and won the hearts of the supporters with 129 goals for the club, a feat still yet to be beaten.

The former West Brom and Blackpool striker also holds the record of the most goals scored in a single season for Bury, netting 35 times in the old Fourth Division in the 1980-81 season.

Manager David Flitcroft has an array of quality options in the striking position with Leon Clarke, Tom Pope, Danny Rose and Ryan Lowe all vying for a starting spot.

Madden told the Bury Times how great a job the boss has done to assemble such a quality group of players.

“I think they have done great,” he said.

“Flicker has done fantastic since he has come in. He has turned them around a lot. He has got some good players and he has got some experienced players.

“There are some good sides in the division but they are in the position that they are in because they are a good side, hopefully they can keep going and get into the play-offs.

“I have seen Leon Clarke a few times scoring and Pope is always good for a goal.

"Every time I have seen them they have always done very well.”

Madden, aged 57, is currently working as the youth team manager at Fleetwood Town, having previously been Micky Mellon's number two before he was released by the Cod Army in 2012.

But away from his spell at Highbury, Madden enjoys returning to Gigg Lane to watch his former side in action.

“It is always nice to come back,” he said. “I have been back a few times just to watch games while I was at different clubs.

“It is 30 years since I left but still when I go and watch the games I get a bit of a buzz when you see the pitch, but it is totally different now.

“The stadiums are a lot better. The football is better because it is quicker and the players are fitter and it is more technical now than it was a few years ago but I still enjoy enjoy going back to Gigg.”