BURY’S phoenix club have officially launched the hunt for their first manager.

The fan-led Shakers side are waiting on news of their application to play in the North West Counties League next season following Bury’s expulsion from the EFL last August.

Bury AFC, a fan-owned community benefit society, have been working to ensure there is football played in the town next season given the uncertainty that still circles around Gigg Lane.

And with members having elected their first community board, who in turn have selected a management team headed by chairman Chris Murray, the club have now moved to step up their football operation with the appointment of a manager.

A statement read: “One of the most exciting positions available in the National League system at present, we’ve already been inundated with enquiries since we began on the journey to bring football back to Bury.

“The ideal candidate will embody our club’s values and ethos whilst helping the board to grow a successful club from the ground up.”

Criteria include having a UEFA B coaching licence and “extensive knowledge of the non-league set-up”.

Applications are being invited to chair@buryafc.uk until 6pm on Thursday, July 2.

Despite not having a confirmed league placing, the club set to land in the ninth or 10th tier of the pyramid, Bury AFC believe they are in a position to move forward with appointing a manager.

The notes from the latest community board meeting read: “This (appointing a manager) has been delayed due to the uncertainty created by the Covid pandemic but we have sufficient, if not total, clarity over our likely league positioning and start date to begin the process now so that we can appoint immediately once our league position is confirmed.”

It adds that “individuals with playing and management experience have been brought in to assist with both the interview and initial CV review process”.

The phoenix club are also this week going to ask members to vote on designs for both the home and away kits for the inaugural season.

Bury Times:

Bury Times:

Steve Dale, owner of the town's historic two-time FA Cup winners, has said he has a plan to get Bury FC playing in the National League, the top two tiers of non-league next season. But as things stand, the position of the club is as unclear as ever.