BURY FC skipper Dave Challinor has spoken of the first team squad's huge disappointment at the sacking of manager Graham Barrow this week.

The former Tranmere Rovers and Stockport County defender was one of Barrow's first signings, initially on loan, when he took over from previous boss Andy Preece in December 2003.

And he admits the bombshell decision to part company with the popular boss took the players by surprise on Monday morning.

"All the lads are extremely upset because they didn't see it coming," he said.

"Graham was not just a good manager but a good friend to the lads.

"You could always go to him with a problem, it's a massive disappointment.

"I honestly felt we were getting back to how we were last season in our last two games, but people in higher positions at the club have made their decision and we have to live with it.

"I hope he gets fixed up with a job soon because football would be a poorer game without Graham."

Along with caretaker manager Chris Casper, Challinor now has the job of lifting morale for a tough trip to Oxford United on Saturday.

"It's going to be difficult for Chris but we have a great bunch of lads here and we all know the good work he has done with the youth team," he added.

"Obviously, he will have his own ideas on team selection for Saturday but the rest of the week will be geared to getting a result at Oxford.

"It would be great to pick up three points for Graham at the weekend, there are still 30-odd games to be played this season and I think we can still compete in this division."

Challinor's sentiments were echoed by goalkeeper Neil Edwards who was acquired by Barrow in the summer.

It was the second time the former Welsh international had been signed by the manager after making the move from Stockport to Rochdale eight years ago.

"It was a big shock and all the players were devastated," he declared.

"There aren't too many managers in the game as honest as Graham.

"When a manager leaves you always get some players who are happy he's gone but that wasn't the case with him, everyone was behind him.

"The start we made wasn't the best but in the last two games I didn't think we were a million miles away.

"Over the past few weeks we've worked tirelessly on the training ground to put things right but people outside the club don't see that side of it, it's all on a results basis and unfortunately he's paid the price.

"But it's all part of football and we've got to be professional and get on with the job."