THERE was double delight for Shakers striker Jon Newby when he took the top two prizes at the Bury FC Player of the Year awards night at the club's Social Club on Monday night.

Reward for some superb displays throughout a troubled campaign earned 'Newbs' not only the fans' Player of the Year accolade but the Frank Hoult Trophy for the Players' Player of the Season.

Runner-up on both fronts was skipper Martyn Forrest who also enjoyed a superb season.

Newby, who joined the Shakers from Liverpool on a free transfer early last year, has earned cult status among the Bury fans with his exciting front running and unselfish workrate.

That hero worship went through the roof in November when he turned down a move to local rivals Oldham Athletic much to the delight of the Gigg Lane faithful.

There's sure to be some concern now the club have dropped into the Nationwide League's basement division that the talented 23-year-old will be looking for a move but he dismisses any talk of him wanting away.

"I am contracted to Bury FC for another year and as far as I am concerned I'd like to stay," said Newby.

"I don't want to play in the Third Division any more than the other lads in the team do but as far rest assured I'll be doing everything I can to make sure Bury get out at the first attempt.

"Realistically I think we can bounce straight back, obviously if you are relegated you deserve to go down but we've shown against the better teams this season what a good side we can be."

Boss Andy Preece reckons it's a double dose of toughness that his side needs to draw on if they are to make an impression on Division Three next term.

"We have proved we can compete with any teams in this division but we just lack a bit of toughness mentally and physically," he said.

"It was the same old story on Saturday, we got back into the game with a goal then conceded almost immediately.

"We have to be more ruthless, if we had shown more this season we wouldn't be in the position we find ourselves.

"We haven't been mentally strong enough to cope this season. Unless we go a goal ahead with a minute to go or in injury time we always seem to let teams back in it."