Former Bury striker Glynn Hurst would relish facing the Shakers’ phoenix club in his new role next season.

The 44-year-old, in the goals at Gigg Lane between 2006 and 2009, has been installed as the new manager of Ashton Town.

They play in Division One North of the North West Counties League which could be the home of Bury AFC, one of seemingly two alternatives for the future of football in the town as Steve Dale also pushes for Bury FC to have a place in the National League structure.

“It would probably be a strange one but my Ashton team would be doing everything in our power to get three points and then we’d have a good catch-up after the game,” said Hurst, also a teacher at Sacred Heart Catholic College in Crosby, Liverpool.

“On a positive note, I would be delighted if we played Bury next season because that means the life-support machine is working and to see a Bury team performing at whatever level would be a dream for a lot of fans at this moment in time.

“If I was managing against them I’d be happy on two fronts. I’d be happy to be managing Ashton but also happy from the point of view that you know Bury and the fans have got a club to support.”

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Hurst got a taste of what a new Bury club could look like when he took to the field for a legends game at Radcliffe FC last October.

“It was a fabulous occasion but on the other side of the coin it was an occasion that should never have had to happen,” said the one-time frontman.

“I did though come away from that day thinking ‘there’s so much hope and so much love for that football club’. The fanbase is there and it’s a massive fanbase.”

How it would translate to following a North West Counties club week in, week out remains to be seen, those behind Bury AFC encouraged by the initial uptake of their membership scheme.

Hurst believes they would be welcomed with open arms, such is the cash boost that could follow the phoenix club.

“It would be wonderful for every club because Bury are going to bring 1,000-plus you would imagine,” he said.

“That’s good that financially it will really help clubs. That’s a massive positive and can’t be viewed in a negative in any way shape or form I don’t think.”

Hurst, who has been handed the chance to manage Ashton after success with Marine’s reserves, has watched on from afar as Bury fans have been put through the mill.

“It deeply saddens me how in modern-day society people can get away with doing the things that have been done to the club,” said the former Ayr, Chesterfield and Notts County man.

“It’s not only football it’s the impact it has on the community and hundreds and hundreds of people lost their jobs and thousands and thousands have lost something massive in their lives.

“For it to have played out the way it has needs to be looked at. Communities need clubs like Bury. Living in Liverpool can you imagine one of Liverpool or Everton being taken away?

“Looking from afar and keeping an eye on it, not enough has been done to help Bury as a town gets its football club back to where it belongs or give it an opportunity to start somewhere so the community can rally round together to not only rebuild the club but also help people rebuild their lives.

“Whether it’s the phoenix club or people sort out the problems they have within the club, something needs to happen to give people some hope in their lives and some renewed optimism that Bury is a football town.

“It’s got a massive following which has a positive impact on people’s lives. The fans need a club to support.”