1996

After the disappointment of Wembley the previous May, Bury got about their season in poo fashion with a 4-1 defeat at Northampton on the opening day, some more average results and then a 5-0 home drubbing by Neil Warnock's Plymouth Argyle which prompted the departure of manager Mike Walsh. Whilst many fans wanted Sammy Macclesfield to get the job, but Stan Ternent, the reserve team manager whom not many people had heard of, got the job.

Stan had inherited a decent squad of players from his predecessor. Players such as Tony Rigby, David Pugh, Nick Daws, Chris Lucketti and Gary Kelly were good players who Mike Walsh had struggled to really get the best out of.

No such problems for Ternent though. The season was one of gradual improvement, a 7-1 win over Lincoln City was one of the highlights and a 4-0 battering at the hands of fellow promotion rivals Darlington was a blow. A 1-1 draw at Exeter City left us needing a better result than Darlington on the last day. We were confident we could defeat Cardiff City but only hopefull that Scunthorpe could turn Darlington over.

Many people at Gigg had their personal radios with them to keep track of events at Glanford Park and as Bury were comfortably disposing of Cardiff to complete our side of the equation, we heard that Scunthorpe had scored. Then they did it again. It was party time at Gigg until Darlington pulled one back, and then another. OH SHIT! we thought, they're going to win.

With our game finished and a 3-0 win in the bag, Darlington were still playing. Some supporters spilled on to the pitch, half celebrating, hoping the Scunthorpe game would finish as a draw. I will never forget my good mate, Dave who had a radio and an audience when he shouted, 'Scunthorpe have scored!'. We leapt around, we hugged each other, we hugged complete strangers, we danced .... then Dave informed us that Darlington had fashioned an instant equaliser.

All this time, GMR were broadcasting live commentry of Scunthorpe United vs Darlington which has got to be a first, and then the final whistle was reported, it had finished 3-3. Bury were promoted, and the ground erupted.

It was heart-stopping stuff, but also a very good day indeed. I even had a shandy to celebrate.