ANDY Welsh's attention to detail and running Bury AFC like a 'full time, part time' club will help them achieve their ultimate goal of promotion says Liam MacDevitt.

The 27-year-old, who was one of AFC's first signings in August 2021, paid tribute to Welsh for the professionalism instilled at a club who currently sit top of NWCL First Division North with seven games left to play.

It was that approach that attracted the attacker, who was once on the books at Yeovil Town, Swindon Town and Bristol City, to sign for the club.

"As a player, you make a decision to either play somewhere where you train once a week and have a laugh at the weekend or you train in an environment which is still professional," he said. "For me. at this stage of my career. it is good to be around that level of professionalism, it is obviously something I am used to and I think it is what all the boys like about it.

"We are a full time, part time team because we train twice a week even if we have two games but it has got us to a really good position."

MacDevitt says Welsh's experience of playing professional football with the likes of Sunderland and Blackpool, has been invaluable and he says all the players have bought in to his methods.

"Andy is experienced, obviously he has been at the top of the game and he is always willing to share that," MacDevitt added. "It is an amazing place to be in training, the professionalism is something that we have all bought in to."

AFC saw their 28-game unbeaten league run come to an end at AFC Blackpool last time out and MacDevitt admits it has been a frustrating few weeks as they have not been able to get that defeat out of their system with subsequent home fixtures against AFC Darwen and Pilkington both fouling foul of the weather.

While AFC have already played 29 of their 36 fixtures, MacDevitt says the squad is strong enough to cope with any fixture pile-up should it occur.

"So frustrated not to get a game," said MacDevitt of Saturday's game against Pilkington which was postponed due to a waterlogged Neuven Stadium pitch. "I think we have got to get them done by a certain point but, to be honest, our squad as got so much depth that if we have to play three times a week between now and the end of the season we will be ready for it and fit for every game.

"So frustrating as it is, I think we are in a really strong position if we do have to two or three game weeks."

AFC travel to Chadderton on Saturday looking to complete a league double having run out 3-0 winners in their first meeting back in November.