BURY have appointed Graham Barrow as first team coach until the end of the season.

The vastly-experienced Barrow will stand in for cancer victim Billy Ayre until he is able to resume his coaching duties.

The new man got to work to help manager Andy Preece in preparations for the trip to Reading.

The 47-year-old's playing career began at non-league Altrincham. From there he joined Wigan Athletic and Chester City where he earned a reputation as an uncompromising midfielder.

He later managed the Deva outfit and led them to promotion from the Fourth Division before taking the reins at another of his former clubs Wigan Athletic.

A takeover at Wigan brought his stint there to an end despite them being in fifth place and spells at Rochdale and as assistant boss at Notts County also followed.

"It's great to be able to bring Graham in," said Preece. "With his undoubted experience he can do the job that Billy was doing for us until his illness.

"Although I haven't worked with him before I've had a number of run-ins with him on the field so I know what a great competitor he is!"

The club now has an 11- day break and Preece reckons it couldn't have come at a better time.

"It will give Graham a good chance to get to know the lads and try some things out," he said.

"Sometimes you don't want a break during the season but on this occasion I believe it will do us good."