I THANK Ian Harrop for his reply (Letters, February 4) to my earlier comments about Bury FC's cash problems, but I was not carping about the present directors but the ones who we know were previously on the pay roll.

Also, Mr Harrop omitted to say why the Neville brothers went to Manchester United instead of signing for Bury.

What is left for the people of Bury? The club has got rid of most of its surrounding land, so it can't expand, and if a good young player comes along he is sold. I remember the days of Eddie Kilshaw and Reg Halton when they had gates of 15,000 every home game.

We have lost our club and now we are about to lose the social club manager Ian Fitzsimmons, a real gentleman and a loyal servant to the club.

It won't be long before Bury fans have another "derby" match to look forward to - against Radcliffe Boro!

EX-SHAKER