LUTEL James' rags to riches story is complete. The striker must have been shaking his head in disbelief since being plucked out of non-league football last October.

A baptism of fire saw him go from playing in the Unibond Premier League with Hyde United straight into a Worthington Cup tie against Manchester United in front of more than 50,000 fans.

In a whirlwind four months in the professional game he has gone on to play his part in Bury's First Division relegation fight where he has played against opponents who were on thousands of pounds a week while he was picking up just £200. It has been quite a culture shock for the youngster but his acclimatisation to the big time has impressed Gigg Lane boss Neil Warnock who this week rewarded James with a new two and a half year contract.

The manager enthused: "After a promising start I think his form dipped a little bit while he was in negotiations.

"But now that is behind him I think you will start to see the real Lutel again."

The bad news for James, however, is that a sending off while playing for the reserves last week leaves him facing a four-match ban."

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