AFTER two seasons spent fighting against relegation, the Shakers decided a new direction was needed in May 2007.

Chris Casper was still the Football League’s youngest manager and though he had staved off the worst, it was still felt within the club that he could benefit from some extra experience alongside him.

After a conversation with Stan Ternent – denied vehemently by the club but later confirmed by the man himself – the Shakers opted for ex-Lincoln City and Peterborough United boss Keith Alexander.

“Everyone is happy with the definition of roles,” Alexander said on his arrival. “I will be director of football, Chris will be team manager and we can bounce ideas off each other.

“Hopefully he will use my experience because I want to help the football club.

“It is obviously new to me, but if you look at three of the seven teams in the play-offs this season –Hartlepool, Bristol Rovers and Lincoln - they have all got directors of football.

“They have all done very well, so obviously it’s a role which can work.”

Alexander’s spell at Gigg lasted six months as both he and Casper were sacked the following January – the experiment ultimately ending in failure.

Flashback photo

The Bolton News:

Gigg Lane’s pitch took a hammering in March 1988 before a game against Doncaster Rovers – but in those days there was no question the referee was going to start the match. Nigel Greenwood – pictured here trying to get the better of two defenders – got on the scoresheet in a 2-1 win, with Andy Holmes also putting through his own net. What’s the worst weather you have experienced at a Bury game? Let us know on burysport@nqnw.co.uk

On this day in Shakers history

1975: Derek Spence won his second cap for Northern Ireland in a 0-0 draw against England in Belfast. Don Revie still hadn’t conceded a goal six games into his tenure as England boss and gave a debut to Ipswich Town’s Colin Viljoen.

1977: Bill Smith’s Shakers rounded off an entertaining 1967/77 season with a 3-3 draw at Walsall. Chances of promotion had passed a fortnight earlier with defeat at Gillingham – but a seventh-placed finish in Division Three was still considered a success. Andy Rowland did not add to his 21 league goals but Jimmy McIlwraith and Peter Farrell got on the scoresheet at Fellows Park.

1979: The 19-year-old Danny Wilson was voted player of the season by the Shakers fans after a tough year at Gigg Lane. The club had finished 19th in Division Three and also suffered the loss of their chairman, Bill Allen, who collapsed while shovelling snow outside the Social Club.

2015: Promoted Bury surprisingly placed Nicky Adams on the transfer list.