CHAIRMAN John Smith has predicted a nightmare season ahead for Shakers after being handed a gloomy fixture list for next season writes Chris Hall

Just three years after taking on the likes of Bolton, Ipswich and Sunderland in Division One, Bury FC today faced up to life in Division Three and a less than glamorous opener at Oxford United. And Smith says the whole season will be a struggle if the proposed takeover by Sale Sharks rugby union boss Brian Kennedy falls through.

"It will be horrendous. Gates will be down, we've got to start paying off our debts and now there's a greater chance of relegation. It's going to be a long, hard fight," he said.

"It will have an effect on attendances, and I just hope we can get around 3,500. We have a couple of local derbies against Macclesfield and Rochdale, but their travelling support will be non-existent. After those two, there's no-one anywhere near Bury.

"What we desperately need is a big investment from someone like Brian Kennedy.

"That's the only way forward. At the moment we are looking at things like selling players.

"We need transfer fees from the sale of one or two players and a lot of luck to see us through.

"We've got to have a decent cup run to bring some cash in -- but we've not had one of those for years. Just to reach the second or third round of either would be a great help."