NEW captain Antony Kay repaid the faith shown in him by manager David Flitcroft after leading the Shakers to their first opening-day win in eight seasons.

The centre-back, who joined on a two-year contract after his release by MK Dons, replaced previous skipper Nathan Cameron in the role following his summer switch to Gigg Lane.

Flitcroft said he was delighted with the 33-year-old's dream start and explained his decision to make Kay captain.

He said:“When I brought him in I looked at what he did, I looked at what he accomplished and I've been sussing it out for six weeks now.

“I've been sizing him up, I've been sussing it out, I've been watching his every move, how he works in the dressing room, what he does behind the scenes, how he talks to people.

"It was important that we got it right and yes, we wanted to change it up and he's earned the right to captain the team.

“I think Antony is a captain that the club needs and I'm really happy that he embraced that.”

Kay's centre-back partner Cameron was one of the stand-out performers against the Addicks on Saturday, which came as no surprise to Flitcroft, who says his former skipper will continue to lead despite not donning the armband.

“Nathan has been fantastic,” Flitcroft said. “I think Nathan Cameron is an outstanding professional and he is a leader.

“He is a leader by performance and I think over the next couple of years we are going to see one hell of a player – he'll be able to lead in a different way.”

Bury added striker Chris Brown and goalkeeper Paul Rachubka to their ranks before the season opener and both were on the bench on Saturday.

Rachubka, who played eight times in goal for Bolton Wanderers in the Championship last season, was brought in at the 11th hour after summer signing Chris Kirkland requested his contract be cancelled for family reasons.

“Bringing Chubs in was essential,” Flitcroft said. “It was really important that we did that business and got it over the line."

While the Bury boss could not resist bringing in former Blackburn Rovers striker Brown to bolster his attacking options following Leon Clarke's move to Sheffield United.

“We have looked at every potential striker out there, as you would," he said. "Is Bury really going to get a player who scored plenty of goals in the Championship coming to us? We're not.

“So, when you get the chance to sign a player of Chris Brown's qualities, we've made that signing.”

Bury will make the 500-mile round trip to Gillingham on Saturday looking to build on their perfect start to League One.

After a summer of change at Gigg Lane, Flitcroft believes the new personnel will help improve their away record, following 13 defeats on the road last season, including a 3-1 loss at Gillingham.

“We have certainly changed the way things are done,” he said. “We have changed the personnel, that's going to be key.

“We have got some real men in the team. We have got Ben Williams, Neil Danns, Antony Kay, Tom Pope, there's real men in the spine of that team, believe me."