I HAVE always thought Bill Shankly’s famous saying ‘some people believe football is not a matter of life and death, I can assure you it's much more important than that’ was nonsense.

Every now and then, something comes along to put the whole game into perspective, and the tragic news about Leon Clarke’s dad has certainly done that.

However keenly fans, players and the manager feel a defeat, or run of defeats, you have to put that into context.

The problems Bury are having on the pitch at the moment bear no comparison to those of real life, and it is important to remember that sometimes.

So my sympathies go out to Leon and his family.

My heart also goes out to all those people in the town and the surrounding area who have had to contend with flooding recently.

There was the predictable backlash on social media when Bury’s Boxing Day fixture against Barnsley was postponed on the morning of the game, but the scenes of misery and destruction beamed into our living rooms again put the game into perspective.

That should have hit home to David Flitcroft and his players as they prepare for their long-awaited return to Gigg Lane on Saturday, despite going into it on the back of four straight away defeats in the league.

In many ways, the FA Cup tie against Bradford should be a welcome distraction.

Players will be eager to put on a good show for their team-mate, while captain Nathan Cameron said he wants to reward those fans who have supported the club on their travels with a victory.

Booking a place in the fourth round would definitely be a step in the right direction, and the fact the players are able to put their league woes to one side for an afternoon should do them some good.

What puzzles me, and what also seems to be puzzling the manager, is how the team can go from such a professional display at Rochdale in the last round of the FA Cup to increasingly desperate performances in recent defeats at Southend, Port Vale and Fleetwood.

The side, and the bench, looked to be packed with experience at Spotland, and while I know Bury have had a few injuries since then and loanee Joe Dodoo has returned to Leicester, it was a shock to see four teenagers in the squad last Saturday.

Time will tell if it was a rash or inspired decision by the manager to blood the kids at a time when the side are struggling.

But I think while there is sure to be an emotionally-charged atmosphere at Gigg on Saturday, those who can keep a calm head will prevail.

l Don’t miss Jamie Hoyland’s Marvellous People on Radio Lancashire between 1-2pm on Saturday.