SHAKERS joint chairman John Smith was delighted with the attendance for last Saturday's derby clash against Rochdale. . . and now he's looking for more of the same.

Smith declared himself "the happiest man in Bury" after 5,827 spectators went through the turnstiles - by far the club's biggest gate of the campaign.

What's most encouraging about the crowd was the fact that more than 4,000 home fans turned out on the last Saturday before Christmas - traditionally a poor day for attendances - while a healthy 1,757 visitors made the trip down the A58 from Spotland.

"The gate was terrific and just what we need," he declared.

"Now we want to build on that support in our next two holiday games.

Smith, co-chairman Fred Mason and their fellow directors are treading a financial tightrope after the Shakers came out of administration last Spring.

So every sign that attendances are rising is a godsend to the club's board.

For his part, player-manager Andy Preece has worked wonders utilising loan deals and short term contracts to put together a team of genuine promotion challengers in their first season back in the Third Division.

And the hope is that the penny is finally dropping with soccer fans in the town and they are turning out in numbers to support their local club.

"The financial situation is improving slowly," he added.

"But we really need some decent gates this month to give us a solid start to the New Year.

"If people in the town aren't going to get behind us now they never will."