TWO years into his managerial career, Andy Preece can look back on his time in the Gigg Lane hotseat with some satisfaction writes Steve Canavan of the Bolton Evening News

Despite huge financial obstacles, the team are slowly but surely creeping up the league and away from danger.

Add to that a talented crop of young players and the mist that has decended on Bury ever since the Hugh Eaves saga plunged the club into the doldrums, is showing signs of lifting.

What would make the transformation complete is the successful completion of the long-delayed takeover. However, that is not Preece's concern.

He is concentrating on running the soccer side and, after taking over as manager in December 1999, it's a job he is continuing to do well.

"I"m still enjoying it," said the manager. "It has been difficult because the takeover and the financial problems have been going on ever since I got the job.

"But to be fair it has never really affected me because I've never known anything different."

Preece has had no money to spend since he became boss. He also lost two of his most senior players in Chris Swailes and club captain Nick Daws when they took advantage of the Bosman ruling and left to join First Division Rotherham United.

Yet the manager has strengthened his squad with some shrewd signings (Michael Nelson, Jon Newby, Colin Cramb, Gareth Seddon) and, more importantly, has given youth a chance.

David Borley, Martyn Forrest, Jason Jarrett and Chris Armstrong have all made it to the first team, with the latter swelling the Gigg Lane coffers by £250,000 when he moved to Oldham in October.

Preece is aware that the youngsters are attracting attention from scouts but he is hopeful that this squad can stick together.

"I'm proud that despite having no money we have established such a strong squad," added Preece.

"Off the pitch we might be in financial trouble but on the pitch we are financially secure. There are a lot of players out there worth a lot of money.

"I don't want to lose them though. If we can keep this squad together then we can only go from strength to strength.

"We are out of the bottom four now and moving up and I'm just pleased with the things have gone."

Though there's still much hard work to be done in the second part of the season to ensure the Shakers move to mid-table safety, Preece is confident he can achieve it.

One of the best attributes of the squad, he says, is their willingness to fight for results.

"One of the most pleasing aspects of my two years in charge has been the players and their attitude," he explained.

"They have always given their all and there has never been any question marks about their effort and commitment.

"They have had to be like that because we have had some difficult times to overcome but they have done it well and that's something I'm very pleased about."