CHRIS Lucketti made it clear it was Joe Parkinson's coaching ability, rather than his playing pedigree, that prompted him to sign up the former Evertonian as his number two.

Eccles-born Parkinson, aged 46, was named Bury assistant manager on Friday, dampening hopes of some fans that Ryan Lowe would be kept on in the role after a successful spell as caretaker boss.

Lowe had remained in the dugout with Lucketti for his first two matches – Saturday's win at Walsall and the previous 0-0 draw at Northampton – but he will now step back into his previous job as player coach.

Lucketti, meanwhile, is looking forward to resuming a partnership with Parkinson that began during a stint coaching juniors at Preston.

“Joe's playing experience goes before him but I didn't bring him here for that," said Lucketti, referring to his time in Joe Royle's "dogs of war" Everton side which shocked Manchester United to win the 1995 FA Cup.

"I brought him here for his coaching ability. We've remained friends since working together seven or eight years ago with Preston's Under-15s and 16s. We have similar philosophies on how football should be played.

“The lads will love being around him. He's a great character, which is important. I wanted to bring in somebody the lads would enjoy working with, and he'll offer so much to this club.”

Parkinson made 105 appearances for the Toffees, scoring four goals, but his playing career was cut short by a recurring knee injury which forced him to retire in November, 1999, aged just 28.

Since then he has had a number of jobs in coaching, including at Wigan, where he started his playing career and went back to as a coach, progressing to work with the first team before leaving in 2016.