THE immediate reaction after Bury's 3-0 quarter-final exit from the Football League Cup competition was of diappointment, and possibly, a little bitterness.

After all, we had dreamed the dream for more than a month and the ending was always the same, a shock win for Bury to turn the football world upside down.

But the dream. like all others, became harsh reality with a rude awakening. That was when Ian Bowyer pounced on a defensive error in the eighth minute following a corner and when the ball bounced gently towards him off a Bury player he pivoted to sweep it past John Forrest from close range.

If Forrest needed breathing space the goal gave them almost all they needed, for it jolted Bury like an electric shock. It was too early, a cruel setback for a side which had to rely on guts and determination for Forest had more than an edge in skill.

From the Bury Times of Wednesday January 21 1953

EVEN if Mr Joe Shaw, the representative of Arsenal, came to assess the Bury team the Cup favourites meet Highbury on January 31, he was nevertheless a welcome visitor to Gigg Lane on Saturday.

For he was able to renew many friendships of his younger days when he was one of the best-known sportsmen in Bury and District.

A keen and able soccer player he assisted Christian Church in the Sunday Schools League, had a trial with Bury as a full back, but joined Accrington Stanley before being transferred to Woolwich Arsenal in the middle 1900's.

Apart from a brief spell as an official with Chelsea after the last war he has remained with the Highbury club ever since and is one of its most esteemed officials. He now assists Mr Tom Whittaker in the management of the club.