SHEFFIELD-bound former Bury boss Neil Warnock left Gigg Lane yesterday and blasted the abusive fans that made his position at the club untenable.

Warnock, who was unveiled as the new Blades manager at a press conference yesterday afternoon, said he was ready to resign from the club this week even if he hadn't been handed the job at Bramall Lane.

An internet message from a supporter who suggested setting fire to his wife was the final straw for the beleaguered boss who never won over the Bury faithful in his 18-month reign.

To land the Blades job is a dream come true for Sheffield-born Warnock and he takes with him assistant manager Kevin Blackwell who will continue as his number two.

"Obviously, I'm delighted to get the job because it's a boyhood dream of mine, but the situation was getting out of hand," he said.

"Comments like the one on the internet are just sick and that kind of talk just isn't warranted in any walk of life.

"I've always given 100 per cent for the club, but it's been difficult with the kind of abuse I've been getting.

"I probably should have gone two or three weeks ago, but the chairman asked me to carry on and stick at it."

Chairman Terry Robinson immediately handed the responsibility of first team affairs to senior players Andy Preece, who is currently second team coach, and Steve Redmond, they in turn, will be assisted by skipper Nick Daws and Paul Barnes. "Andy and Steve will take over for tomorrow and Tuesday's games and we will have to take it from there," said Robinson.

"At this stage we are keeping our options open with regard to a replacement."

"Neil had become very disillusioned with the personal attacks and veiled threats and found it too difficult to continue.

"He arrived under difficult circumstances when Stan Ternent left and didn't achieve immediate popularity, but the situation deteriorated from there.

"We had to sell players to balance the books while trying to hold on to our First Division status and we are still having to do that.

And the Shakers chairman made a plea for all the club's fans to rally at this difficult time.

"However, the supporters feel we desperately need them to get behind us at this moment in time.

"Those who say they've stopped coming because Neil Warnock was manager can now come back and we'll endeavour to put on some football that they will enjoy."

Former Sheffield United manager Adrian Heath turned down the chance to take over the manager's job on a caretaker basis yesterday.

Warnock paid a glowing tribute to his chairman and the Gigg Lane backroom staff as he cleared out his office yesterday lunchtime.

"I can honestly say that Terry Robinson is the best chairman I've ever worked for," he declared.

"That's what's really sad, for the time and effort he puts in at the club with such limited financial support he does an unbelievable job.

"Everyone at the club, whether it's secretary Jill Neville, the groundsman Michael Curtis or the tea ladies have been really super and it's a family club that deserves to do well.

"It's up to the fans to get behind the chairman in whoever he appoints, they have been saying they want Warnock to go so now there's no excuse for them not to get behind the club."

As for the Sheffield United job, Warnock is under no illusions what awaits him at Bramall Lane.

Currently lying fourth from bottom, the former Bury boss has been charged with the job of keeping the Blades in the First Division, a task that he is very confident of succeeding in. "They are in a difficult situation and I've looked at their fixtures up to the middle of January and they are very difficult indeed.

"But I'm looking forward to it and I don't think I'd have got the job unless they thought I could turn it around.

"I've got six months to prove myself and will have fans that who are behind me - and that's a big thing for a manager!"

Preece, Redmond and Co. are hard-hit by injuries for tomorrow's game at Gillingham.

"We will take whoever is fit down with us and the physio Alan Raw will have the final say," said skipper Nick Daws. "The team will probably pick itself."

Lutel James has not broken his leg for a third time, but will almost certainly not feature at Gillingham tomorrow, Dean Barrick was in theatre in a Cardiff hospital as the Bury Times was going to press and leading scorer Ian Lawson was rated "not 100 per cent" with his groin injury.

Gillingham, who sold 18-goal leading scorer Robert Taylor to Manchester City this week, will be without broken leg victim Mark Patterson, their right winger.

Ones to watch will be eight-goal hitman Andy Thomson and strikers Rodney Rowe, formerly on loan to the Shakers and brought in from York, and another forward from Chatham, Nayron Nosworthy.

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