BURY owner Hugh Eaves today hailed Stan Ternent "the greatest manager in the club's history".

As the Shakers began the task of trying to keep Ternent's services, Gigg Lane's multi-millionaire major shareholder paid a glowing tribute to the man who has given them wall-to-wall success in three incredible seasons.

"This manager has performed a miracle once again in keeping us in the First Division," he declared.

"When you think we won promotion in two successive seasons and now we have managed to stay up in the First Division it goes without saying what a magnificent job he has done.

"This is a better achievement than winning the Second Division last season. When you look at some of the team who have gone down it shows how well we have done with the resources we have."

Ternent recognises that without the millions Mr Eaves has pumped into the club, Bury would be lucky to merely stay in business.

But the London-based stockbroker adds: "My contribution is a drop in the ocean compared with the resources of some of the other clubs in our division. Our success has been based on organisation, spirit and determination.

"I want this management team of Stan and Sam Ellis to continue because there is still a lot of work to do.

"We have not finished yet. Surviving our first season in this division is only the first job. We are now determined to establish this club in the division.

"You cannot stand still in football, you either go forwards or backwards and we are determined to continue improving.

"Stan and Sam will get a considerable reward by our standards for achieving what they have this season and it will give me tremendous pleasure to hand over those rewards.

"We will sit round the table with Stan and Sam and ask if they want to be a part of it and I am sure they will not be able to resist the temptation of the challenge."

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