SHAKERS fans are clamouring for season tickets on the back of the side's end of season heroics.

Sales for the 1998/99 season are already close to matching last season's overall total of 2,400.

Peter Cullen, ticket office manager at Gigg Lane, says the club is overwhelmed by the response of the supporters.

"Last year, there was a scramble for tickets following the euphoria of winning the Division Two championship," he said.

"To have nearly hit that target now is wonderful. The big rush came after the QPR game. People wanted to see if we were staying up first.

"The fans are really responding to the news that First Division football will be continuing here next season."

The special offer on the lower April rates has now been extended until May 31. Fans buying season tickets can make a saving of up to £62 compared to paying at the turnstiles.

The cost of paying on the day will go up next season.

Adults will be charged an extra £2 with juniors and OAP prices up by £1.

Prices: South Stand, £12 members, £14 non-members, £6 junior/OAP members, £8 non-members; Main Stand, £14 members, £16 non-members, £7 junior/OAP members, £9 non-members.

Goalkeeper Dean Kiely cut short his end-of-season holiday with the Bury squad following his Republic of Ireland call-up.

The star No. 1 returned home from Majorca on Wednesday night - three days before the rest of the Shakers' party - in preparation for a Testimonial clash next week.

Kiely has been named in a star-studded Irish International Select team for the match, in aid of former Manchester United and Aston Villa star Paul McGrath.

The game will be staged at Lansdowne Road, Dublin.

Bury are on the lookout for a new physio.

Peter Hampton, who only joined the Shakers last season, is joining Unibond First Division club Workington as manager.

He is believed to have been offered a long-term deal by the Cumbrian outfit.

Previous news story

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