WELL done the Shakers!

That's the message on a giant banner hanging on Bury Town Hall which sums up the town's pride in its never-say-die soccer side.

Against the odds, the Gigg Lane team has retained its place in the First Division and now council chiefs are adding their praise to the plaudits coming from all sides.

Bury Council leader, Councillor Derek Boden said: "Obviously, there is not the same kind of jubilation that the town has experienced over the previous two years when we celebrated the promotion-winning ways of Bury FC.

"But the exploits of the club this year must rank alongside some of the proudest moments that have ever been experienced."

He added: "There have been times when less motivated sides might have given up but Stan Ternent and his players were always going to give it 110 per cent to stay in Division One.

"When Bury FC was promoted last year, we declared we now had a First Division side for a First Division town.

"Those words have even more meaning in 1998. Congratulations to the Shakers and, without a doubt, a giant well done."

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