'It's Time For Me To Step Up'

NEW Bury boss Chris Lucketti says he has learned from one of the nation’s best managers in Graham Alexander.

- Chris Dunlavy

Lucketti, 46, took the reins at Gigg Lane on Thursday - 18 years after he made the last of his 287 appearances for the Shakers.

He replaces Lee Clark, who was sacked in late October after a run of three wins in 17 games left Bury in the League One drop zone.

The pressure is on to deduce why such a lavishly talented squad has flopped so dramatically but, after a five-year apprenticeship as No.2 to Alexander at Fleetwood and Scunthorpe, the former centreback insists he’s up for the task.

Grateful

“Graham is the best person I could possibly have learned from,” said Lucketti, who also played for Halifax, Huddersfield and Preston before joining Neil Warnock’s Sheffield United and making his Premier League debut aged 35.

“Believe me, he’s going right to the very top in management and I’m grateful for everything he’s done for me over the last five years. We’ve enjoyed some unbelievable times.