STAN Ternent has sent a huge 'thankyou' to Shakers fans after parting company with the club to join Burnley this week.

As the champagne corks were popping at Turf Moor at Tuesday's official unveiling of the manager and his assistant, Sam Ellis, Ternent took time out to pay tribute to the magnificent supporters at Gigg Lane.

He told the Bury Times: "I want to say thanks for everything to the Bury fans. They have been great. We have had an exciting time. I will see you all soon - hopefully sooner than you think!"

With fingers well and truly crossed, Ternent was referring to the 1999/2000 season in which he hopes the Shakers and Clarets will meet in Division One.

First, he has the mammoth task of transforming lowly Burnley from Division Two strugglers into promotion prospects.

And with the likes of Manchester City, Stoke, Fulham and Reading to contend with, a quick jump into the league he has just left would be nothing short of a miracle.

So why did he choose to walk out on Bury after leading them to the heights of Division One?

"It was a very difficult decision, but I felt I had gone as far as I could," he revealed.

"At Bury it was always difficult financially, even more so when you maintain Division One status and players become internationals. The wages become higher and, in a way, you are a victim of your own success.

"Hugh Eaves and Terry Robinson plait sawdust at Gigg Lane. I felt I wanted to push on and try for the play-offs, but I know the reality of it all."

But he confirmed that the chance to return to his first club, which holds so many memories for him, was ultimately the deciding factor. "The challenge here at Turf Moor was too much to refuse. That was the main reason I came. I started here as a kid and had six happy years here.

"They were impressionable years and I learned a lot from the people I worked with.

"I feel like I am coming home. I have such a special affection for the place.

"And then there is the fact that my wife is from Burnley and her parents live here too.

"I am delighted to have been given the opportunity to come here."

Ternent may well have been all smiles as he was officially welcomed to Turf Moor by chairman Frank Teasdale in front of a pack of TV, radio and newspaper journalists, but deep down he admitted it was a sad day too.

"You always have regrets. Bury is a fantastic family football club. Terry is a blinding chairman and Hugh Eaves has put the money in to get the club right up through the divisions," he said.

"The players at the club are worth a lot of money. Then there are the likes of Jill and Nev Neville. The whole staff work so hard for the club.

"But the time was right to move on. I had got to do it."

Ternent learned of Chris Waddle's departure from the Burnley hot seat while on an end-of-season holiday with the Shakers squad in Magaluf.

He says he did not apply for the position.

"I took the Bury team abroad to hit a few golf balls and when I came back Terry Robinson said there had been an approach from Burnley," he confirmed.

"I said I would speak to them. That is how it all started and this is how it has all finished."

And Ternent was keen to dismiss stories he had quit Gigg Lane for the money, quashing claims he would be earning twice as much managing the Clarets.

"Despite certain reports, I am not doubling my wages. I am on the same money as I was at Bury. And I didn't break any agreement with the club either. I went with the blessing of everybody at the football club," he blasted.

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