DAVID Flitcroft was sacked from his role as Bury manager, the club has confirmed.

A brief statement announced he had left Gigg Lane on Wednesday evening, along with assistant Ben Futcher.

The nature of his departure was not initially clear, but a club spokesman today told Bury Times the pair had their "contracts terminated" with immediate effect.

Head of football Chris Brass and youth team manager Ryan Kidd have been put in temporary charge.

In a further statement, the club's directors paid tribute to Bolton-based Flitcroft's dedication during almost three years in charge, during which time he led them to promotion from League Two and helped consolidate their position in the third tier.

"The chairman and the board of directors would like to place on record their thanks for the dedication and commitment David has shown during his three years with the club," the statement read.

"David has been a great ambassador for the club, conducting himself at all times with the utmost integrity and dignity.

"He has also played a key role in the restructuring and rebuilding of our youth system and aided the development of several young players, managing their progression to the first team and overseen the selling of players to both Premier League and Championship opposition."

Flitcroft won the League One manager of the month award for September after guiding Bury to second place.

But after letting experienced stars go in the summer, such as Leon Clarke, Peter Clarke, Chris Hussey and Ryan Lowe, long-term injuries to key players like Tom Pope, Nathan Cameron, Zeli Ismail and Craig Jones hit the squad hard.

A 2-1 defeat to leaders Scunthorpe at the start of October, in what was then a top-of-the-table clash, was the first of 11 games without a win, which culminated in a 5-0 mauling at Wimbledon in the FA Cup in midweek that proved to be the final straw.

Despite losing his job, the 42-year-old former Shakers midfielder thanked chairman Stewart Day for the chance to manage Bury in a statement released by the club.

"I would like to place on record the gratitude I have to Stewart Day for bringing me to Bury FC and for giving me the opportunity to manage this great club," it read.

"His ambition and drive for the club is insatiable and he will achieve his Championship dream.

"At times, we have driven each other to exhaustion and that is why the last three years have been incredibly successful.

“I would, especially, like to thank Ben Futcher. His support as my assistant has been outstanding and his determination to make the football club stronger and successful has been a major influence.

“I am fortunate to have worked with such a great set of staff who have shown great loyalty and dedication and have, every day, matched my own work ethic whilst I have been manager.

“I would also like to thank all the players who have been at the club during my tenure and also the many staff, behind the scenes, who have always supported me.

“Finally, I would like to thank the supporters for the welcome I got on my return and in having many special memories to celebrate the good times together during the last three years.

"It is with a very heavy heart I leave this football club but I truly wish Bury FC all the very best in the future.

"I have been proud to manage Bury Football Club, taking the club from the bottom of the Football League and leaving it in a healthier position, five points outside the League One play-off places.

"I’m sure the club will have a real chance of reaching the play-offs when the injured players return and there is competition in the squad."