BURY were not prepared to smash their wage structure to hang on to Gary Brabin.

The powerhouse midfielder's huge cash demands was the sole reason behind his surprise move to Second Division rivals Blackpool yesterday - just four months after arriving in a £125,000 deal with Doncaster.

While the Shakers did not lose any money on the deal, Gigg Lane boss Stan Ternent admitted they have lost a playing asset.

"You never want to lose a player of Gary's quality and I would have liked to have kept him," explained Ternent. "But it is a case of balancing the books."

Brabin's initial contract only took him to the close season when the two parties were due to thrash out a long term deal.

But they failed to come to an agreement and Bury decided it was best all round to accept the Seasiders' money-back offer.

Ternent added: "I have managed to bring players in quicker than I expected during the summer and we have plenty of competition.

"We decided it was the right time to let him go and get some money back."

The manager has no regrets about signing the tough tackling Brabin who has the reputation as one of the hardest men in the lower divisions.

"We only signed him to the end of the season and it was worth it. He helped us to win promotion which was the object of the exercise.

"He didn't want to leave but we couldn't afford to pay him the money he wanted.

"We have to have a wage structure and we don't pay one man a heck of a lot more than we pay the next man."

Bury, impressive in last week's Isle of Man tournament which they unluckily lost 1-0 in the final to West Bromwich Albion, continue their pre-season preparations tonight at neighbouring non-league outfit Radcliffe Boro where Shakers fans will get their first chance to see new £40,000 signing Ronnie Jepson who began training with his new colleagues yesterday.

BORO expect to include former Oldham Athletic star Frankie Bunn who has been granted a testimonial season at Stainton Park.

New signing, former RMI player Jon Senior, could make his Radcliffe debut, as could former Tempest United player Colin Entwistle.

Kick off time tonight is 7.30pm with admission price £3.20, with concessions for adults and juniors at £1.

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