BURY are demanding big compensation after losing management duo Stan Ternent and Sam Ellis to Burnley.

Ternent and Ellis were being unveiled as the new men in charge at Turf Moor this afternoon - 48 hours after they told Gigg Lane chairman Terry Robinson they would be leaving after three seasons of wall-to-wall success.

The BEN can reveal that Burnley made an official approach to speak to Ternent seven days ago and permission was granted with the agreement that satisfactory compensation would be paid to Bury should Ternent take the position at Turf Moor.

Bury had no idea that Ellis would also be departing until Ternent went to see Robinson on Saturday to give him the news that he would be leaving and taking his number two with him.

Bury owner Hugh Eaves today admitted that Ellis would have been "a contender" for the vacant manager's position at Gigg Lane, although it was not certain he would have been given the job he had for 18 months before leaving for Manchester City in 1991.

"We never wanted either of them to go but you have to be realistic in life," said Mr Eaves, who again repeated his tribute to Ternent as being the "greatest manager in the history of Bury Football Club."

"We explained to Burnley that if they did wish to induce our manager to break his contract they would have to pay us compensation.

"Now we want them to honour that verbal agreement."

Mr Eaves is annoyed that Ellis has also gone to Burnley as Bury never gave them permission to speak to him.

"It is in breach of the agreement between all member clubs and we would look to talk sensibly with Burnley to see if the matter can be resolved amicably.

"At the end of the day we want the contractual situation regarding both Stan and Sam resolved amicably before things get red hot.

"We don't want to get into a battle with Burnley. At the end of the day they are pinching our people, people who had already agreed to be working with us next season and while we wish them the best of luck we have to look after our own interests." Shakers search Bury must now look to find a replacement and Mr Eaves insists the good times are not over just because the men who brought them two successive promotions and a magnificent season of stability in the First Division have left.

"They have done remarkably well but that's not to say we cannot get an even better manager," added Mr Eaves. "And that's what myself and Terry Robinson will be trying to do."

Bury skipper Chris Lucketti added: "We have enjoyed some fantastic success under Stan and Sam and it's a big loss for the club but it's up to the club to find a manager who can come in and do just as good a job."

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