SAM Ellis says he did not want to replace Stan Ternent as Bury manager.

The ex-Shakers assistant, who stunned Gigg Lane chiefs by joining Ternent at Burnley this week, has revealed that one spell as manager at Gigg Lane was enough.

He told the Bury Times: "I knew from the first time I joined Stan at Bury that managing them again wasn't for me - even if I was offered the job.

"That wasn't the way I saw my future at the club.

"We have just had some great times at Bury and worked for some good people. It is nice to give good people success.

"But we have been handed an opportunity that only comes along once in a while. We want a bit of excitement at this time in life!"

While Ternent was being linked with the Burnley manager's post, many Bury fans were tipping Ellis as his replacement at Gigg Lane.

That made his decision to quit an even bigger surprise.

"Stan said to me that we had the opportunity to go to Burnley and asked me what I thought," he explained.

"It wasn't an overnight decision. It wasn't made easily. A lot of things had to be considered.

"At the end of the day we have left Bury on a pinnacle and we have been proud to be involved with it. It was the right time for us to part company. "We have had a good run building the team and some good times with the players.

"There was always a great feeling at the club and we will miss it."

Ellis has had a love-hate relationship with the Bury fans since quitting as manager in December 1990 to become Peter Reid's assistant at Manchester City.

He returned five years later as Ternent's assistant but struggled to win over the supporters again until last season.

"You don't bother about what fans say to you. You have to live with yourself at the end of the day," he said. "To be honest, the crowd actually made my job a little bit easier."

Although Ternent believes Bury have gone as far as they can under the present financial restraints, Ellis says the club still has a bright future.

"Bury have another season of Division One football to look forward to and with the players they have they will always have a chance of doing something," he said.

"Whoever takes over I wish them well, but they don't need any advice from me!"

And Ellis reassured Shakers fans there would be no raid on Gigg Lane for playing staff, adding: "We wouldn't want to disrupt a situation we have helped to create."

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