BURY Football Club will start next season with the Bury Metropolitan Council logo on their shirts after the coucil agreed to renew their sponsorship of the club for a further year.

The news is a massive boost to both sides as they attempt to build on the partnership from last season that brought success on and off the field.

The partnership will help Shakers manager Andy Preece plan an assault on the Division Three promotion places with the extra revenue the deal is sure to bring in.

In addition, Bury Metro will continue to receive free match tickets for juniors and continue their Community Football Programme. Further community benefits will follow after proposals were forwarded to create a Project Development Team.

Bury's Commercial Manager Peter Young enthused: "I'm delighted that Bury Metro will continue to back us over the next season.

"When they came on board it was more of a rescue package but we are glad we fostered good enough relations throughout last season for the agreement to continue.

"We have new kit makers next season so our sponsors will have their logo on both the new home and away kits," Peter added.

The club believe the need to extend the free tickets for juniors scheme is essential to bring in new faces through the Gigg Lane turnstiles.

"It was great to see so many young fans benefit from the deal last year and we are hoping to extend this," Peter continued.

"This together with the FA Cup Centenary were real bright spots in the partnership. The Town Hall was heavily involved, together with ELR, in the celebrations and we are pleased they feel they received value for money through the course of the season."

The deal is identical to last season and worth £50,000 to the club. Councillor John Byrne said: "I'm very happy we are continuing the deal and we hope to build on the success of last year where we made significant progress in bringing football back into the community.

"It's great to be able to make football more accessible with the free junior tickets and reduced priced ticketing for adults taking these juniors to the game.

"Added to this is the fact that it creates a better atmosphere for the players," he continued.

Meanwhile, joint-chairman Fred Mason said that the club are in serious discussions that could yet save the Shakers' youth set-up.

It was revealed last week that cost-cutting measures were the reason behind plans to shut down the youth development scheme that has brought through many first-teamers in the past few years, including Chris Armstrong and Danny Swailes.

However Mason said: "All parties are in serious discussions with a view to finding a positive solution."

The news is sure to please the Gigg Lane faithful, who relish watching home-grown talent.