SHAKERS assistant boss Ron Reid this week became the first casualty of the club's drop into Division Two.

Neil Warnock's right hand man was released on Monday due to financial reasons with chairman Terry Robinson describing the parting as 'amicable'.

"Ron understands the financial position at the club. We are all sorry to see him go," said Robinson.

"He has carried out his duties to everybody's satisfaction but the new circumstances we find ourselves in mean we are not able to pay the kind of salary that was available.

"This is not a reflection on Ron's work, ability or coaching experience. He has gone with glowing references and we wish him well in his future career."

Experienced Reid, who lives in Sheffield, has previously managed the England semi-pro team and should have no trouble walking into a job in youth development.

That doesn't soften the blow, however.

"It is a disappointment for me," said Reid. "The playing staff is having to be reduced and therefore the number on the staff side is as well. But I do have a wealth of experience at all levels."

Warnock is now on the look-out for a player/coach as his number two with Nick Daws an obvious contender from within the club.

But he is more likely to look further afield. The position would be of interest to a number of quality players with an eye on making the transition from player to manager. "I have one or two people in mind. It would have been easier to get them here had we still been in Division One," said Warnock.

"I wouldn't expect any appointment until pre-season."

He added: "It is not very nice when someone loses their job and I am sorry to see Ron go. It is one of the cutbacks.

"I think he has one or two irons in fires, though, and this wasn't a total shock to him."

Reid will not be the only member of the Gigg Lane staff to lose his job.

The Bury Times can reveal that Bury's crippling financial position means more redundancies will follow in the near future.

Robinson explained: "We are in the process of analysing the youth development set-up and unfortunately there will be further cuts in that area.

"We will lose a lot of money through being relegated and we struggled to make ends meet with what we had previously.

"The reason we are taking time over the youth development is that we have to submit a new business plan to the Sports Council and it is expected most of the redundancies will be part time with some full-time."

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