BURY have lost out on the chance of signing Radcliffe Boro striker Neill Hardy.

The prolific Unibond League hitman has signed for Stockport County instead after the Shakers failed to come up with an offer.

It is believed manager Andy Preece was keen on signing the 27-year-old but had no funds available to make a bid.

First Division Stockport offered £15,000 plus a further £10,000 based on appearances and Hardy agreed to join.

The saga emphasises the need for new owners at Gigg Lane to come in sooner rather than later.

As the BEN revealed earlier this week, Turkish businesman Alex Tarsus is behind a £1 million bid to buy the club but it is dependant on High Court approval.

The longer that takes then the less chance the club will have of persuading it's current players to stay, never mind think about bringing others in.

However, if the bid does succeed then a fee like £15,000 would be no problem.

On trial

Hardy spent two weeks on trial at Gigg Lane at the end of the season and performed well. He scored for the reserves helping them clinch the title and was on the substitutes bench for the Shakers final home match against Wycombe Wanderers.

The striker fancied a move to Gigg Lane and yesterday told the BEN: "Bury were still interested in me but they have to wait for someone with some money to come in and buy the club before they can spend anything.

"Stockport have jumped in in the meantime and said they will take a chance. I've been told I've got to prove myself and force my way into the squad and I'm looking forward to the challenge."

BURY will play a friendly against Radcliffe Boro on 18 July at Stainton Park.