I WRITE in reply to the four letters (August 24) regarding the sale of Manchester United souvenirs in the Bury FC club shop.

Perhaps the next time Bury FC officials appear on United's doorstep with a begging bowl, and Terry Robinson et al. appeal to Bury-based Reds to support Bury FC, we should think twice before offering help.

How short are the memories of these people when only three weeks earlier, United had ensured a near full house for a pre-season friendly. Perhaps these Shakers should put their efforts into locating the "missing 4,000", in other words the fair-weather fans who turn up when United are in town but can't be found when Swindon visit.

I don't claim to know the financial arrangements surrounding the Birthdays link-up, but I would be very surprised if selling United merchandise did not benefit Bury FC.

Bury and United have never had any animosity towards one another, and I would give Bury fans a bit more credit than to bite the hand that feeds them. This is the sort of reaction we would expect from their rivals at the Reebok Stadium.

I was only too keen to attend the friendly, the main reason being my concern for Bury's plight. But after reading those letters, I wish I had not bothered. Has any club done more for Bury over the years than United?

STEVE KILLARNEY,

Middleton.