THE HIGH-FLYING Shakers have thrown down a gauntlet to their fans: Back us, and we’ll make you proud!

David Flitcroft has sent out a message through The Bury Times to ask a “next generation” of supporters to turn out in force for back-to-back home games against Port Vale and Coventry City over the next two weekends.

Sitting pretty in ninth position in League One, the Shakers boss has expressed his gratitude to the travelling support that have spurred his team on to 15 games unbeaten on the road in all competitions.

But Flitcroft admits further growth of the club hinges on expanding home support beyond the die-hards who have stuck with their team through good times and bad.

Although backing from chairman Stewart Day enabled the club to “speculate to accumulate” last term and gain promotion, this season the watchful eye of Financial Fair Play means that the Shakers will have to expand their turnover to allow further investment. And that has led to Flitcroft appealing for a town-wide effort to back their local club.

“I don’t think we can ask much more of the chairman now,” he said. “Now it’s the supporters that have to drive this project.

“This is a fantastic town with supporters who know their football but I need them all to come down and get behind their club.

“We asked that in the hard times, and I experienced them first hand when I played under Graham Barrow. We’ll always be thankful to the people who dug in for us.

“I know that core support come with us away from home. When we win, I celebrate with them, but now we need to throw that invitation open to people closer to home. Come and see what we’re doing.

“We asked it last season when the chairman opened the gates for free and 9,000 supporters came out for a night game against Southend United.

“That was fantastic and for me it was a barometer showing whether the market really is out there; it is and it is that next generation of supporters we need to step forward.

“This might be the best team since the Championship days at Bury and I am proud to be associated with it.

“What we’re asking is for more people to come and do the same.”

Though the weekend’s win against Sheffield United has buoyed the Shakers, Flitcroft did have to contend with a body blow this week with the news that Andrew Tutte will be missing for around two months with a hamstring injury.

“It’s floored me to be honest,” said the Bury boss. “I’d hoped it would be two weeks but he’ll be missing medium term now.

“We’ll support Andrew as he recovers but it’s up to someone to take that negative and make it something better. There is a chance for someone to make a difference now.”