HE may not remember his early days in Bury but Ben Thornley is keen to secure some happy memories on his return to his town of birth.

The former Manchester United youth starlet signed for the Shakers on non-contract basis last week and made an immediate impression in the 2-1 victory over his old club Huddersfield Town.

The talented 28-year-old winger has had something of a nomadic career since leaving Old Trafford to join the Terriers in the summer of 1998 for £175,000.

After making almost 90 starts in two years at the McAlpine he moved to Scotland to ply his trade with Aberdeen until moving back down to Lancashire with Blackpool last season.

Released by Steve McMahon after 18 months, Thornley spent all summer training with the Shakers and would have featured a lot more in the pre-season build-up but for injury.

But now he's raring to go and if Saturday's performance was anything to go by, he could be a vital cog if the Shakers are to mount a concerted promotion drive.

"Andy Preece and Graham Barrow kindly let me come down and do some pre-season training," he explained.

"Unfortunately I picked up a bit of an injury at the start but they persevered with me.

"I played a couple of reserve games and kept on training and I was delighted when the manager said he was to sign me on a short term contract."

Giving vital width on the right flank he complements Harpal Singh on the left and gives the side a much needed balance.

And though he admits not to be fully first team match fit, some of Thornley's undoubted class still shone through at the weekend when he had a hand in both Bury's goals.

"I have said to the manager from the outset that this is a club that I feel comfortable with by the way the players have treated me since I arrived," he added.

"I can bring a bit of experience to the team and with matches under my belt, hopefully, a little bit of quality I might still have will come through as well.

"Every club needs one or two experienced players but due to financial situations some teams haven't been able to hang onto their influential ones, like Bury this summer."

Thornley, who admitted he was a babe in arms when he left the town, is the second member of the star-studded Manchester United 1992 FA Youth Cup winning team to join the Gigg Lane fold this summer with Chris Casper now installed as youth team coach.

But the level-headed Thornley is looking to the future now as he aims to establish himself in the Shakers first team and help them on to a successful campaign.

"I want another good week's training now and hopefully retain my place for the Cheltenham game," he added.

"I know what I am capable of and there is definitely more to come from me. It's just matches that I need now.

"It was a good start to beat Huddersfield and though they went down to ten men, a win is a win and we can build on that.

"If we can follow it up with another against Cheltenham we'll be among the early pacesetters in the division. That's what we must aim for."