ANDY Welsh said he is ‘proud and privileged’ to manage Bury FC and has called on the whole community to embrace the club on its Gigg Lane return.

Following news the club had been given permission by the FA to play as Bury FC once again, Welsh emphasised this was a chance for everyone involved in the club to create their own future.

The move follows a vote by fan groups, Bury FC Supporters Society (BFCSS) and Bury AFC’s Shaker’s Community Society, who voted overwhelmingly in favour of merging together last month.

“The history is there, it is always going to be there, it is never going to go away but what we are in charge of now is creating our own future together,” Welsh told the club website.

“It is an absolute honour to be the manager of this club. My first thoughts are it’s one community, one town and one club coming together to get this club back to where it belongs.”

Welsh, who was appointed Bury AFC boss back in July 2020, said it was ‘pivotal’ that football returned to Gigg Lane - not just for the club but for the wider community.

“It is more of a boost to the town,” he said. “I think it is absolutely pivotal to have football in this town and for this club to now grow.

“Let’s embrace the next few months together. Let’s move on quickly and make sure that we are loud and proud as soon as the first whistle is blown and that first ball is kicked because the only way we are going to make a difference now is in the stands and on the pitch to get this club back to where it belongs.”