RYAN Lowe believes he has made his best signing yet as Bury manager – and he won’t even pull on the white shirt for the Shakers.

Lowe brought in goalkeeper Mathew Hudson and defender Tom Miller last week, making it six new players so far this summer.

Hudson, 19, has arrived on loan from Preston until January while Miller, 28, has joined on a two-year deal after leaving Carlisle.

But on Tuesday, Bury confirmed Rob Kelly had been appointed as the club’s new assistant manager.

Chairman Stewart Day said in May he was looking to fill the position, and in 53-year-old Kelly he has secured one of the most experienced coaches in the Football League.

After being Leicester manager between January 2006 and April 2007, Kelly was assistant boss at Preston, Sheffield Wednesday, Nottingham Forest and West Bromwich Albion.

Kelly then worked under Uwe Rosler at Leeds and Fleetwood, spending the last two seasons with the Cod Army, and was a vocal presence in the dugout at Tuesday night’s friendly defeat by Huddersfield.

“He’s been in the building a day and he’s already been different class,” Lowe said after the game.

“Once I knew Rob was available and that he was wanting to get back into work, I wanted to speak with him. From the minute that we met and chatted, we just gelled.

“Rob’s going to bring a lot of experience to the club with his knowledge of football and the clubs he’s worked at.

“He’s the best signing so far from a selfish point of view.

“He’s here to help me, the staff, the players and also help the club get where we want to be.”

Kelly remained at Fleetwood after Rosler was sacked in February but sought a fresh start after Joey Barton took over as their new boss this summer.

“I’m delighted to have been given the opportunity to get back into football quickly,” he said.

“I’m looking forward to working with Ryan, a good, promising, up-and-coming young manager, and also his staff.

“I’m hoping I’ll be able to bring a little bit of experience and a little bit of knowledge to the role from the things I’ve picked up throughout my career.

“It’s an exciting time, as it’s a club that the chairman and management staff want to move forward.”

Kelly will work alongside first-team coach Steve Schumacher, as well as Lowe.

Sporting director Lee Dykes and goalkeeper coach Brian Jensen also joined Lowe’s backroom team as the Shakers prepare for life back in League Two.