A FORMER Shakers star has been declared bankrupt.

Mark Patterson, aged 42, also made more than 200 league and cup appearances for Bolton Wanderers between 1991 and 1996 after signing from Bury in a £65,000 deal.

He stepped down as manager of debt-ridden non-league side Scarborough FC in May when the club said it could no longer afford to pay him.

The 128-year-old Conference North side went into liquidation last month.

Patterson, of Schofield Street, Darwen, filed for personal bankruptcy at Blackburn County Court after he was unable to pay off debts.

He came through the ranks as an apprentice at Blackburn Rovers before signing for Bury, via a brief spell at Preston.

Patterson gained a reputation as a tenacious midfielder during his 45 games at Bury before becoming a regular at Wanderers.

He later played for clubs including Sheffield United, Southend and Blackpool before managing non-league Chorley and Leigh RMI and going into business.

An insolvency notice issued by the court said Patterson had been a company director and was involved in a firm called Pro-active Soccer Schools.

He was officially declared bankrupt under the Insolvency Act 1986 at a private court hearing last month.

A spokesman for Blackburn County Court said she could not reveal the extent of Mr Patterson's debt because the hearing had been held in private.

She said: "Mr Patterson declared himself bankrupt as he could not pay his debts.

"He is a landscape gardener and was formerly carrying on business as Pro-active Soccer Schools and as a company director.

"It was a private hearing so I cannot say anything else."