BOB Smith, still striving desperately to steer Port Vale away from the Third Division relegation zone, returns to Gigg Lane tomorrow for the first time since his three-year reign as Bury manager ended with the sack in November.

The man who led the Shakers out of Division Four in his first season in the hot seat is perilously close to a drop back into the soccer basement and it is no consolation to him that his former club is still clinging on to hopes of promotion.

From the Bury Times of Wednesday February 25, 1953

IN their most eventful match of the season so far Bury struck a bold and one hopes decisive bid for safety by winning 2-0 at Birmingham on Saturday.

This was, indeed, a meritorious performance. The points were well-earned, for Birmingham were never allowed to dominate the play.

Two quick goals gave the Shakers the confidence they needed and, although there were periods when they seemed content to hold on to their lead, their football was always possessed of more power and challenge than their opponents could develop.

There was certainly no relegation complex about Bury's football. On the contrary it was an eager, efficient brand of football, the type which would make most opponents struggle.

This new outlook, this brighter style of soccer is the best thing that could have happened to aid the fortunes of the Shakers at this crisis period of the season.

The struggle at the foot of the table grows more intense, and Bury have got to maintain this recent improvement.

The win at St Andrew's was the best tonic which could have been prescribed, better and more potent than the previous week's draw at Brentford.