PAUL Wilkinson has been officially confirmed as the first team manager of Bury Football Club.

As revealed by The Bury Times yesterday, the former Everton striker has been appointed after a spell in charge of non-league outfit, Truro City.

Wilkinson has a wealth of coaching experience with the likes of Leeds United and Cardiff City and has had caretaker manager spells at both Northampton Town and Grimsby Town.

Speaking to the club, Wilkinson said: “I’m delighted to be here, Bury is a club with a great history and I can’t wait to get started. I’m determined to drive the club forward in the right direction.”

Wilkinson is viewed by most as a surprise choice for the job but his involvement is down to ex-Southampton, Wolves and Cardiff City boss, Dave Jones, who has been brought in on an advisory capacity by chairman, Steve Dale, to help rebuild the football side of the operation.

Jones worked with Wilkinson at Cardiff and his appointment is thought to be the first step in a massive rebuild of the Shakers squad, with recruitment sought at home and abroad.

General Manager Scott Johnson was thrilled to get the deal over the line, "It's such a strong foot forward, Paul is a manager with a wealth of experience, something that is modern day and is exactly what we need and is required for League One football."

The size of the task at hand for Wilkinson was outlined yesterday when the contracted players turned up for training at Carrington to be told the team had no insurance and that the session could not go ahead.

That issue has now been solved, with Jones and Co now looking to restore some order to the decimated squad.