BURY FC has joined forces with the police and loyal fans to help kick out members of a hate mob who are tarnishing the club's proud name.

Concerned Shakers supporters are being urged to either use a police number or an e-mail address to pass on details in complete secrecy.

As revealed in Friday's Bury Times, thugs have been targeting several Shakers players and their families. The hate campaign, much of it carried out during away games, has been roundly condemned by manager Andy Preece who is one of the victims.

Spy cameras were deployed at Gigg Lane on Saturday (Feb 15) during Bury's game with Leyton Orient in an attempt to pinpoint the troublemakers. But the game passed off peacefully.

Now, however, the club has linked up with police and fans in a bid to trap the culprits.

Bury FC safety officer Mr Richard Ambler said: "Over the past five or six years, the club has been tarnished by the activities of a handful of 'fans' who have upset other fans, players and players' families from time-to-time with their loutish and drunken behaviour and racist abuse.

"This has brought unwelcome attention for a club that has a genuine family atmosphere with a well-deserved reputation for hospitality and a warm welcome for travelling fans."

He went on: "Because the bad behaviour has been organised principally away from Gigg Lane, it has been difficult to identify the culprits in a way that would enable criminal proceedings to be successfully brought against them."

Mr Ambler says that fans who have witnessed the activities of the hate mob can now pass on details of those responsible in complete anonymity.

Appealing directly to the genuine supporters, he continued: "If you are sick of the behaviour, or sick of seeing the club's good name dragged through the mud just at a time when we should be celebrating a really successful period on the field, please try to help us end this once and for all."

Fans with information can either write to Mr Ambler at Gigg Lane, telephone the club's police liaison officer on 0161 856 8095 or e-mail a fans' representative on exile@hotmail.com

Club spokesman Mr Gordon Sorfleet disclosed that last Saturday's game passed off without incident.

"The real test will come at our next away game," he said.