millwall

Cleaning up the trail of destruction left by Colin (Neil Warnock) was a job handed to Andy Preece. He had been one of Colin's signings, you know - one of the ones who couldn't hit a cow's arse with a banjo, and had never really ingratiated himself with the fans. An especially comical episode was the photograph which appeared in the Bury Times of him flicking the Vs at the Bury fans after someone probably accusing him of being shit or something.

Preece got the job of team manager with Steve Redmond as his assistant because the club couldn't afford a 'proper' manager, and he went about his new task with pretty good results. Hs first season in charge saw us flirt with relegation but pull off a late(ish) bid for survival. His second, season 2000/01, was better, we started well and were second, had a disastrous spell in which we said hello to relegation from a comfortable distance, and then finished well.

Some of the Highlights from this season: ( In no particular order.)

1. Beating Walsall #1. Walsall, played five, won five, came to Gigg where two second half goals from Centre-backs Chris Swailes and Sam Collins gave us a great 2-0 win.

2. Beating Walsall #2. Walsall, undefeated at home all season, gunning for promotion hosted the Shakers, without an away win in ages games. Result? 2-1 to Bury.

3. Signing Jon Newby. See here for my personal tribute to the boy Newbs, but the guy saved our season.

4. Signing Colin Cramb. Once again, here is an entire page devoted to Cramby. He also helped to transform our fortunes.

5. Beating Millwall. Millwall, top of the league, came to Gigg, home of the resurgent Shakers and took a fourth minute lead. A moment of Colin Cramb genius drew us level and then a 90th minute Jon Newby strike gave us all three points. Football, Isn't it? Small boys, jumpers for goalposts, Jonny boy smashing it home from six yards? Enduring image isn't it? Marvellous.