AFTER Saturday's (May 3) 2-0 victory over Millwall that gave the Shakers only their third championship in their 112-year history, beaming boss, Stan Ternent, took time out to pay special tribute to his players.

"I am just the leech on their backs," he declared with undue modesty. "I wanted my players to be the best in the division and now they have proved they are. The league table says so and no one can argue."

"I have said it before but it is not the size of the dog but the fight that is within it and no one fights harder than us. The players have been fantastic all season and they deserve every drop of praise they get.

"The fans have also done us proud all season. You cannot put a price on the kind of reception we got this afternoon. I couldn't believe the backing they gave us. They deserve the title as well. I have won back-to-back promotions but I'll probably be remembered as the man who filled Gigg Lane," he added with a grin.

Ternent has no doubts that his men will make the grade next term but will enjoy the next couple of weeks before turning his mind to serious team building.

"I'll have to have a chat with the men who hold the money but there is time for that yet," he declared "We have got the player-of-the-season awards and the civic reception to enjoy and then we are all going away for a few days. Everyone needs time to relax and to let what we have achieved sink in."

The manager deflected offers to put his own achievements at the forefront of the day's celebrations preferring instead to say that self-praise was no recommendation for anything. It is that kind of philosophy that has earned Ternent the respect he now enjoys and why Bury must be on their guard to keep him and assistant Sam Ellis.

Neither man has a contract but both will hold talks with the board in the near future.

Meanwhile, goalscorer Ronnie Jepson gave an example of the genuine camaraderie that exists in the Bury dressing room by poking fun at his boss.

"He's not really smiling, he has just got wind!," reckoned Ronnie as he completed his lap of honour with the rest of the team.

"Seriously, people get the wrong impression sometimes," he added. "The boss likes a laugh and a joke like everyone but there is a time and a place. He probably won't stop grinning all summer."

Jepson admitted that the side had not produced a great first half performance and attributed the stuttering start to the occasion.

"It was a big game and we were a bit apprehensive in the opening stages," he confessed. "Some of the lads haven't been in many games as important as this one and the goal came just at the right time. It was a brilliant cross from Dean West.

"I was delighted to set up the second for Lennie because he sometimes doesn't perhaps get the credit he deserves for his tireless running. The ball went into the net in slow motion but what a feeling when it crossed the line.

"We have worked really hard for this and it is unbelievable what we have achieved with relatively little resources. To his credit the boss told the new lads that he felt there was great potential here for promotion and that has proved spot on."

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