SHAKERS' skipper Dave Challinor has been quick to rubbish rumours that he has signed a pre-contract agreement with League Two rivals Chester City. writes PHIL THORP.

The former Stockport and Tranmere defender was shocked to find a message on the Bury FC official website suggesting he was all set to join Ian Rush's side in the summer.

But nothing is further from the truth, according to the 29-year-old centre-back who was born in the town and still lives in the area.

"I was told about this over the weekend and hand on heart can say I know nothing about it," he declared.

"The manager of Bury Football Club would be the first person to know if I had signed for anyone else.

"And as regards to plans for next season, I hope to sit down with Bury in the near future and sort my future out, as do the other lads who are out of contract."

Challinor signed a one year deal last summer with an option for another 12 months.

His loss would be a massive blow to manager Graham Barrow who initially brought him in on loan in January 2004.

Club director with responsibility for team affairs, Ian Harrop, is expected to get down to negotiating with a number of the current squad this week regarding new deals.

Only defender Tom Kennedy and striker Jon Newby are currently contracted for the 2005-2006 campaign.

The introduction of the transfer window system into the Coca Cola League next term will mean clubs having to start the new season with numerically bigger squads.

Though how on earth the Shakers can be expected to do that given the financial limitations Barrow is currently working under remains to be seen.

And first team coach Kelham O'Hanlon has spotted another problem on the horizon.

"I can see a lot of players sitting tight in the summer before signing," he said.

"They are not daft, they know that teams are going to have to sign on more players as they go for bigger squads.

"Without knowing it, I think the people that brought this in are putting power back into the hands of players after clubs had wrestled it back.

"I also see a situation when teams start panic-buying in July and you can't afford to do that."