BURY have been dealt a superb FA Cup first round tie with near neighbours Rochdale set to make the trip to Gigg Lane.
The derby clash - to be played on Saturday, November 9 - could be a real moneyspinner for the club with around 2,000 Dale fans expected to make the trip along the A58.
Since taking over the Gigg Lane reins almost four years ago, Andy Preece has had a fine record in derby games and he'll be hoping that continues against the Third Division rivals.
Last season the Shakers knocked Rochdale out of the LDV Vans Trophy and put paid to Premiership Bolton Wanderers in the Worthington Cup - both on their own grounds.
So with home advantage a week on Saturday the boss is confident his charges can progress and embark on a lucrative run that would give the club a major lift.
"It's a great draw, you can't ask for too much more than that," said Preece.
"There will be a great crowd and a superb atmosphere, it would have been a good one for the TV.
"Everyone knows what I think about local derbies and how pumped up you get for them.
"We have had a good set of results in games against local teams since I've been manager and hopefully we can carry that on."
The game comes hard on the heels of another home game against Lancashire opposition.
Oldham Athletic are Bury's opponents in the second round of the LDV Vans Trophy on Monday, November 3 (7.45pm).
The club have announced a cut price deal for the visit of the Latics with prices £7 for adults and £2 for juniors, OAPs and students (NUS cards must be shown) in all areas of the ground. No family stand tickets will be on sale.
There are also Executive Club Suite facilities available at a cost of £15 per ticket.
Bookings for this must be made through secretary Jill Neville at the club prior to or on the day of the game.
The Oldham match will be the second home match at Gigg in the space of three days with Nationwide League new boys Yeovil the visitors on Saturday.
Preece is hoping that his men can put more consistent displays together after the morale-boosting 3-1 win at Darlington at the weekend.
"We are playing decent football and are entertaining but we need the results to go with it," he said.
"And they will come if we perform consistently.
"We have taken ten points from the last six games and it was a tough little run on paper.
"Now we've got to improve on that in the next six and improve our position in the table.
"We have been working on our mental preparation because that can be a problem with us.
"Ability-wise and physically we are a match for any team but we tend to switch off from time to time.
"We have to keep the players focused on the next game and that's Yeovil on Saturday."
Both midfielder George Clegg and defender Matt Barrass are progressing well after suffering serious knee injuries. The pair are back training.
FORMER skipper Martyn Forrest has had his contract terminated by mutual consent and has left the club.
The 24-year-old has not featured in the Shakers first team this season and spent the last month with Leigh RMI of the Nationwide Conference.
Son of former Bury goalkeeper and current goalkeeping coach John Forrest, he played 97 first team game scoring two goals after joining the club as a trainee in August 1996.
Oxford were linked with Forrest during the summer and could offer the tenacious midfielder a lifeline.
Harpal Singh (centre) is congratulated by David Nugent (left) and Gareth Seddon after scoring the third goal at Darlington on Saturday
BURY have been dealt a superb FA Cup first round tie with near neighbours Rochdale set to make the trip to Gigg Lane.
The derby clash - to be played on Saturday, November 9 - could be a real moneyspinner for the club with around 2,000 Dale fans expected to make the trip along the A58.
Since taking over the Gigg Lane reins almost four years ago, Andy Preece has had a fine record in derby games and he'll be hoping that continues against the Third Division rivals.
Last season the Shakers knocked Rochdale out of the LDV Vans Trophy and put paid to Premiership Bolton Wanderers in the Worthington Cup - both on their own grounds.
So with home advantage a week on Saturday the boss is confident his charges can progress and embark on a lucrative run that would give the club a major lift.
"It's a great draw, you can't ask for too much more than that," said Preece.
"There will be a great crowd and a superb atmosphere, it would have been a good one for the TV.
"Everyone knows what I think about local derbies and how pumped up you get for them.
"We have had a good set of results in games against local teams since I've been manager and hopefully we can carry that on."
The game comes hard on the heels of another home game against Lancashire opposition.
Oldham Athletic are Bury's opponents in the second round of the LDV Vans Trophy on Monday, November 3 (7.45pm).
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