FORMER Shakers boss Stan Ternent and his assistant Sam Ellis are set for a dramatic early return to Gigg Lane - with their new club Burnley!

Amazingly, football's fickle finger of fate has brought the two clubs together in the first round of the newly-named Worthington League Cup competition only weeks after the twosome jumped ship to join the Second Division side.

For Ternent it will be an emotional return to the club where he enjoyed his most successful managerial incumbancy and it is sure to add extra spice to what is always a real Lancashire hotpot.

Prophetically, at the press conference to announce his appointment at Turf Moor he sent a message to all Bury fans saying he would see them all soon - he couldn't have known how soon that was to be!

The first leg tie at Gigg Lane will be played week commencing August 10 with the second leg scheduled for Turf Moor the following week.

It was introductions all round yesterday when the first team squad returned to Gigg Lane for pre-season training.

Recent acquisitions Andy Preece, Steve Redmond and Dean Barrick met up with their new teammates for the first time while boss Neil Warnock and assistant Ron Reid got the chance to put their new charges through their paces.

"The first day's impressions are good," declared Warnock after a tough morning session.

"The lads aren't in bad condition and have obviously looked after themselves.

"Obviously one or two were moaning but you always get that pre-season," he grinned. As for the new arrivals, Warnock believes each of them has something to prove as they each step up a division.

"Andy Preece is a big strong lad who I've wanted to work with for a couple of years and I've always thought I'd love to have a go at getting the best out of him.

"He leads the line well, is left-footed, which I like, and I think he'll complement the other strikers we have at the club."

"His career has gone sideways in the last couple of seasons and it's up to him to take the opportunity to prove he can perform at this higher level".

"I think Dean Barrick is as good a left-back as there is available.

"I've liked him since he was at Sheffield Wednesday early in his career. He's a good distributor of the ball and a good tackler, I'm delighted he agreed to join us.

"I know Steve Redmond inside out, he's a utility player who will give us a little bit of experience at the higher level and that is what we'll need this season.

"He can play anywhere in the back line and he's the type of quality player who can do a good job for us," he added.

Preece and Barrick have signed three-year deals while Redmond has put his name to a 12-month contract.

Bury will face Radcliffe Boro at Stainton Park in a pre-season friendly on Friday, July 17, kick-off 7pm.

Bury's commercial department are to hold three Summer Holiday Football Coaching Courses later this month.

The courses, for youngsters aged seven to 15 years, will run over three weeks: July 20 to 24; July 27 to 31 and August 3 to 7 from 9.30am to 3.30pm.

Quality tuition from qualified PFA coaches will be on hand and each boy or girl will receive a Bury FC replica shirt plus a new football for use on the course.

With age group tournaments and competitions with medals and prizes for the winners, plus the attraction of Bury FC players attending, places are sure to be booked up quickly.

For application forms and further details contact the Bury FC commercial department on 0161-705 2144.

The club is seeking coaches to help out on the courses. Call Andy Feeley on 0161-797 5423.

Shakers fans are reminded that due to the annual local holidays the club shop will be closed on Monday, July 6, for a week, re-opening on Monday, July 13.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.