MAVERICK American Terry Smith has quashed rumours that he is interested in taking over the Shakers.

Reports in the Merseyside and Cheshire press this week linked the former Chester City chairman to the Gigg Lane club but he is adamant that there is no foundation to the rumours.

He said: "I have no intention of getting involved in soccer again at this moment in time.

"I'm very surprised that I've been linked to Bury but there is no substance to the story at all."

A former American football player and coach, Smith took over at the Deva Stadium two years ago in a blaze of publicity.

Saying he had saved Chester from liquidation he promised first division football within three years but instead hired and fired a string of managers, including present Shakers first team coach Graham Barrow.

Using American football methods to motivate his players his techniques saw manager Kevin Ratcliffe resign in frustration.

Relegated

That resulted in Smith himself taking over first team coaching.

The outcome saw the famous old club relegated to the Nationwide Conference for the first time in their history.

Earlier this month Smith sold the troubled club to Liverpudlian bookmaker Steve Vaughan prompting rumours that he was on the lookout for another team after his bizarre spell at the Deva.

If his track record at Chester is anything to go by, Shakers fans will hope the rumours are not true.

Meanwhile, ahead of tomorrow's home match against Chesterfield, boss Andy Preece has paid tribute to Jon Newby after his goal drought came to an end at Hartlepool this week. On Tuesday he ended his 12-match drought with the golden goal that sets the Gigg Lane men up with a LDV Vans Trophy second round home tie against Notts County later this month.

"Even though he hasn't been scoring he's really worked his socks off and thoroughly deserved to score on Tuesday," reckoned Preece.

"It's something that happens to all strikers in the game, no matter who you are.

Preece will be hoping that the former Liverpool man can set up another win tomorrow, when Bury bid to win for the first time at home all season.