I MUST reply to the letter from "Stockport Shaker" (May 4) regarding his tirade against Mr Lee Devenport.

His portrayal of Mr Devenport as some sort of Anti-Christ, out to destroy Bury FC, and his casting of Terry Robinson as a figure complete with halo, shows how far removed from reality "Stockport Shaker" really is.

Before accusing Mr Devenport of trying to destroy Bury, perhaps "Stockport Shaker" should examine his own behaviour. He openly admits that he follows Bury FC through the Bury Times and on the Internet. Why? I thought that Stockport was in Cheshire, not the wilds of Outer Mongolia. It is well-known that Bury FC are one of the poorest supported teams in the Manchester area and is this any wonder when so-called supporters such as "Stockport Shaker" can't be bothered to attend games, even when they live within easy reach of Gigg Lane.

When Bury lifted the second division trophy, and when we travelled to Manchester United in the cup, we had more than 10,000 supporters at each game. Where are these fans week in, week out? Are they all like "Stockport Shaker" following the club on Teletext? It is these supporters who are in danger of destroying Bury FC by their non-attendance, thereby starving the club of much-needed revenue. If these extra "supporters" only attended one-quarter of Bury's home games, it would mean a further £168,000 a season for the club.

"Stockport Shaker" claims that the actions of Mr Devenport are all aimed at the removal of Mr Robinson as chairman of Bury FC, and he also suggests that the Bury Times shouldn't publish Mr Devenport's views. "Stockport Shaker" needs to get out more often. Just because we don't agree with someone else's point of view doesn't make it any less valid than our own. It is why we fought world wars! It is called freedom of speech. If Mr Devenport and Mr Robinson are so opposed to each other, why did they spend four hours talking recently and why did the last issue of the fanzine contain the full interview?

Perhaps the most appalling suggestion made by "Stockport Shaker" was that the real fans are those who walked to Oldham or who stood outside the ground with SOS buckets. Is he really suggesting that those who are disabled, aged, or just not fit enough to walk 12 miles are not genuine supporters?

I have attended every game home and away this season but because I don't consider myself fit enough to walk from Bury to Oldham, "Stockport Shaker" condemns me as not being a true Bury fan. I didn't stand outside the ground with a bucket either, but I still put money into the club by attending matches, buying half-time tickets and sponsoring.

"Stockport Shaker" and thousands like him should get off his backside and start attending some of the home games next season. Then we won't need sponsored walks and bucket collections to keep the club going!

SALFORD SHAKER