NICKY Adams returns to Bury for a third stint determined to help them bounce straight back up into League One.

The pull of Gigg Lane has struck again for the Boltonian who began his career there and returned four years ago for a second spell.

In between, the much-travelled 31-year-old midfielder played for Leicester City, Leyton Orient on loan, Brentford, Rochdale, Crawley Town and Rotherham United, and since leaving the Shakers in 2015 he has donned the colours of Northampton Town and Carlisle United.

Back in Bury colours for the third time, the Breightmet man says he has not returned to Gigg Lane in search of the quiet life.

He is focused on playing his part in bringing success to the Shakers after a season of dire disappointment which ended in relegation to the bottom tier of the Football League ladder last season.

And he appreciates there will be an element of the Bury support he has to win over once again.

His relationship with the Shakers faithful has seen its ups and downs in 140 appearances but the boy who cut his professional teeth under the pressured times of Chris Casper some 13 years ago has learned a few lessons since then.

“I’ll say right from the off, I didn’t want to leave Bury last time (in 2015), it was not my decision,” he said.

“It was a mistake from the management team at the time in my eyes but I haven’t fallen out with anyone, I just got on with it.

“The whole experience made me stronger, if I am being honest.

“I’m 31 now. The Premier League has probably passed me by now but I have played in the Championship, League One and League Two. I am proud of what I have achieved so far in the game but nothing would feel better than to get Bury promoted.

“I know what football fans are like. I am a massive football fan myself and I’m sure there are people thinking ‘here he comes again.’

“But I couldn’t have wished for two better clubs than Northampton and Carlisle in the time I have been away. I’m a happier person than I was when I left last time.

“I’m not saying I have grown up. But I know what my responsibilities are and that’s to help turn Bury around again.”

Adams, who also made five appearances for Wales Under-21s, expects the hairdryer treatment from his former team-mate Ryan Lowe next season, and is looking forward to it.

When Adams and Lowe last helped the Shakers out of League Two in 2015 their fiery relationship helped ensure standards were high on the pitch.

And though the dynamic has changed slightly, with Lowe now very much in charge as the newly-installed boss, Adams hopes the Liverpudlian has lost nothing of his lust for perfection.

“I know he can be demanding – but I am too,” he said.

“When we played alongside each other on the pitch we’d argue all the time.

"If it wasn’t going right we’d be tearing shreds off each other.

"We’d be urging each other to do better.

“It will probably happen now, too.

"If he’s having a go at me it’s because I am not doing my job.

"There’s nothing personal in it. We were always good mates off the field and I have got a lot of respect for him as my manager now.

“He is a legend at Bury Football Club and the fans will back him because they know how much the club means to him.

"That will be so important this season.

“He will demand that things are done his way. That’s the way it should be.”

Lowe sought Adams’ help as he looked to lift the squad following last season’s surprisingly meek exit from League One.

On paper, the Shakers had a squad which should have comfortably avoided the drop, but after Chris Lucketti’s stint in the dugout had proved just as unsuccessful as that of Lee Clark, Lowe’s 19 games as caretaker boss came too late to have the desired effect.

“I think he came into some difficult circumstances last season,” said Adams.

“There were quite a few players who had been brought in by the previous manager and for whatever reason it just didn’t work out.

“But I think there are some good players here.

"He doesn’t have to rip things up and start all over again. He knows the lads, has had that time with them, and I think they will help him be successful.”