IT'S a good few years since a transfer from Manchester City to Bury saw a player move up a division but that's the case for Neil Warnock's latest acquisition, John Foster.

The talented 24-year-old right back may have only signed for three months but he's hoping the Shakers can help him resurrect a career that promised so much.

Level-headed Foster is the first to admit he lost his way at Manchester City after coming through the youth ranks to earn a place in the Premier Division.

But a serious injury allied to a growing list of different managers seriously disrupted his progress and he has spent the last two seasons in City's Pontins League side.

"People seem to think that if you are not in the first team you are injured, but that wasn't the case with me," he said.

"I had one bad shoulder injury that kept me out for several months. I came back from it too soon and kept breaking down, but for the last two years I've been injury free." Bolton Wanderers and Preston North End were just two of a number of clubs interested in obtaining the signature of Foster who cut his footballing teeth with local junior side Woodbank.

He enjoyed his best spell at Maine Road during the Brian Horton years, making his Premier League debut, but once the now Brighton manager left, Foster's career nose-dived as well.

"At the time City were fighting relegation and a lot of managers prefer to go for experience, although I said at the time if you're good enough you're old enough."

Carlisle United came in for Foster on transfer deadline day and he spent the end of the season at Brunton Park.

"I live in Alkrington and Carlisle was too far for me," he explained

"I was spending five nights a week away from home so I left but I've been lucky to get fixed up with a good club like Bury only fifteen minutes from home!"

"I've settled in quickly here because they are a great bunch of lads and now I'd just like to establish myself at the club.

"I'm really looking forward to playing first team football again and I know what the First Division is about from my City days.

"I know I'll be in for a fight for a place from Andy Woodward and Dean West when he's fit but that can only be good for my game."

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