BURY are ready to listen to big money men willing to buy into the club.

The Shakers aim to link up with wealthy new financial partners before floating on the Stock Market.

Bury's survival in the First Division is only the first step in an ambitious long term plan which involves continued progress both on and off the pitch.

As exclusively revealed in the BEN six months ago, Bury will become the smallest club to float on the Stock Market but were waiting to learn which division they will be in next season before pressing ahead with the move.

Floatation will reap them an instant multi-million pound windfall with which they can lay the financial foundation on which to build a brighter future.

But first they are keen to attract North West-based businessmen with an interest in Bury Football Club and in injecting big money into the club.

That would involve major shareholder Hugh Eaves drastically reducing his shareholding, which currently stands at around 92 per cent - a move I understand he is ready to make.

The efficiently managed Gigg Lane club have been clearing the way for the move into the Stock Market for several months. The £1.1million sale of striker David Johnson six months ago eradicated Gigg Lane's debts and cleared the way for the move into the Stock Market.

A firm of Manchester-based merchant bankers with wide experience of conducting football club flotations have been involved since last year and will decide when everything is in place to make the move.

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