SIMON Whaley are John Fitzgerald are the latest players to agree new deals with the Shakers.

The news comes in the wake of the club announcing its first new signing, goalkeeper Craig Dootson.

Midfielder Whaley has verbally agreed to a new two year contract with the club, and former Blackburn Rovers and Republic of Ireland centre-back Fitzgerald looks set to follow suit. Both are expected to sign next week

Further good news comes in the shape of skipper Dave Challinor, who has also verbally agreed a one year extension to his contract.

Negotiations are also on-going with striker Chris Porter and midfielder Dwayne Mattis.

For goalkeeper Dootson, who has signed a one year deal, it will be his first professional contract.

"It has taken me a while to break into league football but I am here now," he said.

"A few people thought it should have happened some time ago.

"But I've just had to be patient and bide my time and now it has paid off.

"I'd already been training with Huddersfield Town, who had invited me along play a couple of games so they could have a better look at me, when Graham Barrow phoned and asked if I would be interested in signing for Bury.

"I'd told Peter Jackson that if anyone came in for me I would sign for them because I needed to know where I would be playing.

"Now I am here I want to be the starter. I know the manager is looking to bring in another keeper, someone with league experience, and it is going to be tough but I intend to fight for the right to start."

The 25-year-old youth worker from Chorley, has spent the last three seasons with Stalybridge Celtic, emerging the Bower Fold side's player-of-the-year last season.

Before that he was with Leigh RMI and Bamber Bridge, having been on Blackburn's books as a youngster.

Contracts have already been signed by midfielders Dave Flitcroft and Brian Barry-Murphy, along with defenders Paul Scott and Lee Unsworth.

Defender Tom Kennedy and striker Jon Newby were already in the middle of two-year deals.

And there's no rest Shakers' boss Graham Barrow.

Despite being on holiday he is still looking to tie-up exciting young striker Colin Kazim-Richards , who is attracting the attention of both Premier and Championship clubs.

He is also believed to be tracking an experienced striker and a left sided player, while running the rule over a number of trialists he expects to see in action pre-season.