WELL, Bury's fickle fans have finally got their wish and driven out a thoroughly decent man.

Of course, I mean Neil Warnock - and who can also blame Kevin Blackwell for deciding to join him at Sheffield United? The Internet incident was obviously the final straw.

I have sat in the main stand at Gigg Lane and listened to some of the abuse directed at Mr Warnock and Mr Robinson. What do people expect? We have had to sell the spine of our team to pay off debts and crowds are rarely above 3,000. I think it is a miracle that we are in a mid-table position with still a play-off chance - or even automatic promotion!

We should applaud Mr Robinson and his staff for keeping Bury from going out of business. As for the criticism of Neil Warnock, let's look at his track record: Scarborough from obscurity to the Football League; back-to-back promotions with Notts County; and promotion with Huddersfield Town. Is this the sign of a bad manager? I don't think so.

I also believe Bury Times sports writer Steve Bott should not be immune from criticism. The local media have a responsibility to get behind the team, not whip up feeling against them. Mr Bott should take a long look at himself and ask the question: how much am I to blame?

I have to say that I was very pleased to hear GMR supporting Messrs Warnock, Blackwell and Robinson and at least trying to explain what a difficult job they have.

Finally, I leave all those fickle Bury "fans" with a quote from Alan Gowling on GMR in answer to a Bury caller who had joined the "hate" bandwagon.

He said: "Never judge a man until you have walked in his shoes". How many can say they have done that?

DISMAYED

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.