More than 40 people have given six months of their time to set up a club to represent the views of fans, work which will culminate in the official launch on Monday, February 1.

To mark the occasion, the Association is presenting a sports forum in the Elizabethan Suite of Bury Town Hall, 7.30pm start.

It will be chaired by sports presenter Jimmy Wagg and broadcast the following evening on GMR. Special guests at the event will include Bury manager Neil Warnock, chairman Terry Robinson, skipper Chris Lucketti and international keeper Dean Kiely.

There will also be a small exhibition from Bury FC and a 50 per cent discount on all items for sale.

The purpose of the evening, though, is to sign up members to the Association and special introductory fees will be offered to fans joining before the inaugural AGM of £8 for adults, £4 for juniors aged 16 and under and senior citizens. LUTEL James

SOCCER: Gigg hope BURY boss Neil Warnock believes rookie striker Lutel James is one for the future. The Shakers manager is delighted with the progress of the former Hyde United front man who is striking up a promising partnership with Nigel Jemson.

Warnock, 50, took the bizarre step of playing the entire 90 minutes of Wednesday night's friendly at Pickering alongside James in order to give his prodigy close range coaching.

And the player is grateful that his manager is more concerned with form rather than reputations.

"Thankfully, the manager is not bothered about names and it is all about who is doing the job," he said. "When things are not going right for me the manager tells me what is wrong and it is proving to be a big help."

James is happy with his transition from the Unibond League to the Football League in which he capped his best performance with Bury's goal in last Saturday's 1-1 draw with QPR. "There is a massive difference. It is hard work at this level when you are training full time and I believe my pace, stamina and concentration have improved since I arrived."

Warnock hopes there is better to come from his prodigy.

"He enjoyed probably his best game since coming to the club against QPR," said the boss.

"And the applause he received when leaving the field was thoroughly deserved.

"Hopefully he will continue to learn and despite coming into the game late he shows the hunger needed to progress."

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