CARRY on caretaking. That's the message to Bury's joint management team of Andy Preece and Steve Redmond from Shakers' chairman Terry Robinson.

The pair have been told they will hold the reins indefinitely while the Bury board await the outcome of the Hugh Eaves saga.

Effectively, Bury's hands are tied financially until Mr Eaves personal and business affairs are resolved, but the Shakers have had assistance from certain sources and are hopeful of securing more of the same in the not too distant future.

They are still awaiting a reply from Bury Council in response to their request for a loan, but as far as the managerial vacancy goes, Mr Robinson said: "What I have said to Andy and Steve is what I have said to them all along, they have the job on a caretaker basis until the end of the season.

"However, if we lose ten on the trot we will have to do something about that."

Once again, any permanent appointment from within or outside the club cannot be made until the financial situation is resolved.

"We have been told by the chairman that we have got the job until the end of the season and we will get on with it," said Redmond.

"It won't change anything. We will still get changed in the dressing room with the rest of the lads. We have no airs and graces.

"As far as I am concerned Andy is the boss and I am happy to be his right-hand man."

The Shakers have no first team game now until they take on Wrexham at Gigg on January 15, but centre back Sam Collins could be back in the reckoning by then after knee and shoulder injuries.

Indian striker Baichung Bhutia should also be fighting fit again by then after a calf injury that kept him off the bench against Millwall last Tuesday night and is temporarily holding up his scoring run in the reserves.

Bury FC Supporters' Association are locking horns with Manchester City supporters in a quiz night planned for the Bury FC Social Club on January 28.

Teams of six, as many as possible, are planned for the quiz, which will include a variety of topics.

The following day BFCSA members hit the streets prior to the home game with Bristol City for the final survey aimed at finding out why the Shakers can't attract more fans.

The first venture amongst the populus is planned for January 15, the day of the Wrexham home game.

A 70s disco is planned for the night of Friday February 18 and stars of the show will be four Bury players from the 1973-74 promotion-winning team.

Tickets are priced at £2 for non-members and £1 for members. Further details from Joyce Rothwell (0161-723 4047) who would also like to hear from any other players or interested parties from the 70s.

Bury fans will no doubt have noted with interest that the Nationwide Manager of the Month award for December went to none other than Neil Warnock who quit Gigg Lane to join hometown club Sheffield United.

He steered the Blades to four straight wins to lift them clear of the Division One relegation zone.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.