Kev shuffles pack in Gigg shake-up

9:00am Friday 1st February 2013 in Bury FC By Craig Nelson

BURY enjoyed a busy final day of the transer window, as three players left Gigg Lane and two arrived.

Manager Kevin Blackwell brought in experienced defender Carl Regan and Cameroon midfielder Valéry Mézague, while youngsters Andrai Jones and Lenell John-Lewis were released and centre-back Mark Hughes was loaned out.

Right-back Regan, aged 33, has been given a four-month deal after impressing in a reserve match this week, while Mézague, aged 29, has joined on non-contract terms after training with Bury for the last few months.

“We have needed a right-back since Matt Doherty went back to Wolves so I am happy to secure Carl on a short-term contract,” said Blackwell.

“He has played a number of games for Notts County this season, so he knows the league.

“Valéry is coming back from a hamstring injury at the minute, but I think he will be needed later on down the line.”

Regan has played at 10 different clubs over a 16-year career, with his longest spells at Macclesfield and Bristol Rovers.

Mézague, a French-born former Cameroon international had a spell in the Premier League at Portsmouth under Harry Redknapp and has also played for French Ligue 1 sides Montpellier and FC Sochaux.

Considering Bury’s well-documented struggles with their finances, it was perhaps no suprise that Blackwell also moved to trim his wage budget.

Jones – a 21-year-old right-back – has signed an 18-month contract at Championship side Barnsley, while 22-year-old striker John-Lewis has penned a similar deal at Blue Square Bet Premier side Grimsby Town.

“Both lads have struggled for first-team football here, so I just felt it was a time they had a change of scenery,” said the Bury manager.

“They were also offered long-term deals elsewhere and we have not been able to give them anything past the end of this season.”

The biggest surprise of the window was the departure of Hughes, who has joined League Two side Accrington Stanley on loan until the end of the season.

The 26-year-old centre-back joined Bury on their return to League One in August, 2011, and has played 48 times for the Shakers.

However, he has been unable to nail down a regular starting place under Blackwell.

His departure may well have been linked with the decision of fellow centre-back Efe Sodje to refuse two offers to leave the club.

Blackwell confirmed the 40-year-old defender turned down permanent deals at Blue Square Bet Premier sides Macclesfield and Luton.

Comments (2)

9:36am Fri 1 Feb 13

nomoresurfin says...

Mezague and Regan may well turn out to be inspired signings but the failure to land another striker will probably put the seal on relegation.Between them our four remaining forwards have hardly been in prolific form this season.Ajose hasn't scored in his last 19 appearances,Hopper in his last 14,Healy in his last 13 and Bishop in his last.This means that our strikeforce have between them failed to score in their last 54 matches,not exactly grounds for optimism.
Mezague and Regan may well turn out to be inspired signings but the failure to land another striker will probably put the seal on relegation.Between them our four remaining forwards have hardly been in prolific form this season.Ajose hasn't scored in his last 19 appearances,Hopper in his last 14,Healy in his last 13 and Bishop in his last.This means that our strikeforce have between them failed to score in their last 54 matches,not exactly grounds for optimism. nomoresurfin

12:22pm Fri 1 Feb 13

Eileenshakers says...

Does KB really think that we can draw our way to safety?.

Why hasn't he taken a few out of contract strikers on trial instead of just looking at defensive issues?.

It's hard to believe that Andrai Jones is good enough to play for Barnsley yet not good enough for an ailing leagie outfit.

Well done BFC for allowing these players to simply rip up their contracts and not gain a fee for any of them.

To say we are short on numbers is an understatement.

I wish Hughes,Jones,L.J.Lew
is,Marshall all the best for their futures and hopefully we won't be playing their respective clubs anytime soon.

"WE HAVE LEAGUE 2 PLAYERS PLAYING IN LEAGUE 1 ON CONFERENCE GATES", need i say anymore?.

Best of luck for the Donny game tomorrow lads.
Does KB really think that we can draw our way to safety?. Why hasn't he taken a few out of contract strikers on trial instead of just looking at defensive issues?. It's hard to believe that Andrai Jones is good enough to play for Barnsley yet not good enough for an ailing leagie outfit. Well done BFC for allowing these players to simply rip up their contracts and not gain a fee for any of them. To say we are short on numbers is an understatement. I wish Hughes,Jones,L.J.Lew is,Marshall all the best for their futures and hopefully we won't be playing their respective clubs anytime soon. "WE HAVE LEAGUE 2 PLAYERS PLAYING IN LEAGUE 1 ON CONFERENCE GATES", need i say anymore?. Best of luck for the Donny game tomorrow lads. Eileenshakers

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