A closer look at The Shakers ahead of Wanderers’ trip to Gigg Lane.
Ahead of Wanderers’ televised clash with local-rivals Bury, bwfc.co.uk takes a closer look at David Flitcroft’s side…
SEASON SO FAR...
The 2016/17 season is Bury’s second consecutive year in the division having earned promotion to Sky Bet League One in the 2015/16 campaign.
Having finished a respectable 14th place last season, manager Flitcroft recruited a host of experienced names this summer including Anthony Kay, Greg Leigh, James Vaughan and former Bolton trio Niall Maher, Neil Danns and Paul Rachubka.
Bury come into this fixture meanwhile having lost their last five league games. However, they still sit in eleventh position in the league standings.
In the Checkatrade Trophy meanwhile, Flitcroft’s side currently sit second in Group 3 following a 4-1 win against Morecambe while in their most recent tie, they were defeated 2-1 by Bradford. They suffered injury time heartbreak in the first round of the EFL Cup meanwhile after Burton Albion dispatched of them 3-2 after extra time.
RECENT FORM
- L 2-1 AFC Wimbledon H – Sky Bet League One, 18/10/16
- L 2-0 – Rochdale A – Sky Bet League One, 15/10/16
- L 3-1 – Peterborough A – Sky Bet League One, 8/10/16
- L 2-1 – Bradford A – Checkatrade Trophy, 4/10/2016
- L 2-1 – Scunthorpe H – Sky Bet League One, 1/10/2016
- W 3-1 – MK Dons A – Sky Bet League One, 27/9/2016
THE MANAGER: DAVID FLITCROFT
Having progressed through the Preston North End academy, midfielder Flitcroft failed to impress during his first season as a professional and was consequently sold to Chester City in 1993. He spent six years with the Welsh side before rejecting new contract to join Rochdale.
He would go on to become a fan favourite at Spotland, making over 150 appearances during a four year stay with The Dale. After a short spell at Mansfield meanwhile, Flitcroft would return back to the north-west, signing for Bury in 2004. He spent nearly three years with the Shakers, playing over 100 times ahead of short spells at Hyde and Rochdale before hanging up his boots.
After retiring as a player, Flitcroft joined Rochdale as part of the coaching staff, with the Bolton born manager then following Keith Hill to Barnsley where he became assistant manager at Oakwell. Following Hill’s sacking during the 2012/13 season, he was appointed caretaker manager and after two wins in three games, he was named manager on a full time basis.
The 42-year-old then helped the Tykes stay in the Championship on the final day of the season after a 2-2 draw against Huddersfield. In May 2013, he signed a rolling contract at Barnsley. However, in November that year, Flitcroft was sacked after a 3-0 defeat against Birmingham.
Less than a month later however, Flitcroft was appointed manager of Bury, guiding the club away from a relegation battle to finish 12th in the table. The following season, Bury earned promotion back to League One with a final day win over Tranmere Rovers.
KEY PLAYER: JAMES VAUGHAN
Former Everton striker James Vaughan provides attacking quality and intelligent link up play in the final third for Bury.
The forward signed on at Gigg Lane this summer following his departure from Birmingham City. Coming through the ranks at Everton, Vaughan is the youngest Premier League goal scorer having scored against Crystal Palace in 2005, beating James Milner and Wayne Rooney’s record.
He has also experienced international football, representing England at U17, U19 and Under 21 level. After failing to break into the senior squad, he expressed his desire to represent Jamaica, but this has never materialised.
His career has seen him have stints at Derby County, Leicester City, Crystal Palace, Norwich City and Birmingham. However, Vaughan is perhaps best known amongst football fans for his goal scoring exploits throughout his time at Huddersfield Town where he scored 31 goals in 86 league appearances.
This season meanwhile, he boasts five goals in eight league games, including a brace in Bury’s 3-2 win over Milton Keynes Dons.
LAST BURY XI (v AFC WIMBLEDON, L 2-1)
Williams, Leigh, Maher, Kay, Etuhu, Mayor, Soares, Danns, Ismail, Hope, Vaughan