A FORMER Bury footballer has teamed up with his old employers as he forges a new career as a financial adviser.

Daniel Nardiello made 17 appearances for the Shakers across two loan spells before joining permanently in 2014, and played a pivotal part in the club’s promotion from League Two in 2014/15.

The 35-year-old retired from the game last year following a spell with Bangor City, and is now embarking on his new career working for Klipp Wealth Management, a partner practice of Manchester-based St. James’s Place Wealth Management.

After falling foul of bad financial advice during his own career, Nardiello says he wants to pass his experience on to other players.

And he will have the opportunity to do so after linking up with his former club to promote the Shakers’ Business Partner Network.

He said: “When I was younger I received some bad advice from a financial adviser and lost a large amount of money. Since then I’ve taken a keen interest in where my money goes and how it’s looked after.

“I am passionate about offering young professional athletes sound financial advice and will be working with the club to support the playing and coaching staff to try to prepare them for life after football."

While still playing, Nardiello completed his coaching badges with a view to going down that route after retiring, but ultimately realised it was not for him.

A friend who worked in the finance industry then suggested he consider becoming a financial adviser. The rest is history.

He took his exams while still playing for Bury, and made the transition into his new career while playing part-time at Bangor 18 months ago.

He said: “I still wanted to be involved in football and I can in this job.

“It’s fantastic being in and around the club again. It gives me an opportunity to still be a part of the game and work with local businesses and the lads at the club.

“It’s good for me and good for the club because they have an ex-player around who can give advice to the younger lads.

"I work with them to make sure they have enough money to fall back on so they can study or get into another job so they don’t have to worry where the money is going to come from."

The opportunity to work with the Shakers came about after the club's new business development director Matt Hanson came across Nardiello's profile on a local networking group and invited him to help improve the business relationships with the local community.

Nardiello said: “Matt got in touch a few weeks ago and asked if I wanted to get on board. I live in Bury and my wife is from Bury so it’s perfect for me really."

The Shakers have had a difficult season on the pitch, but Nardiello says he has been impressed by the team’s performances since former team mate Ryan Lowe took charge in January.

He said: “It’s been a difficult season and it’s a tough ask for Lowey to keep us up but he has got half a chance with how he’s done so far.

“It would be an incredible achievement if they can do it.”