BURY chairman Russell Ward today said loyalty is paying off for his club, as they look ahead to their biggest game in 40 years on Saturday.The Blues FA Cup first round clash with Alfreton on Saturday, is the first time Bury have reached this stage of the competition since the 1967/68 season.

Mike Bacon

BURY chairman Russell Ward today said loyalty is paying off for his club, as they look ahead to their biggest game in 40 years on Saturday.

The Blues FA Cup first round clash with Alfreton on Saturday, is the first time Bury have reached this stage of the competition since the 1967/68 season.

And as manager Richard Wilkins enters his eighth year with the club, the continuity of having the experienced former Colchester United man at the helm is shining through.

“I think it is fair to say as a club we have struck the right chords on the management side of things,” Ward said.

“Trevor Collins is the director of football and Richard (Wilkins) does what he does best with the players, coaching and working with the squad.

“We are reaping the benefits of having a settled backroom staff.”

Certainly, even at non-league level, the turnaround of managers is high. But Bury, Ward and Wilkins are showing what can be done with stability.

And while the financial implications should Bury win in Derbyshire on Saturday are high, they are a long way from Ward's mind right now.

“Money is not the be all and end all,” Ward added.

“Of course it would be nice to pick up more money, but it's the recognition to the town the FA Cup is giving us, that is as important as far as I'm concerned.”

Alfreton Town, from the Blue Square North, the same league as Leiston's opponents Fleetwood, recorded their first league win in five games when they beat fourth-placed Stalybridge Celtic 2-1 at the Impact Arena on Saturday with Josh Law's 62nd minute penalty proving decisive in the end.

Another strong side, Bury have had them watched.

“Alfreton are big, physical and direct,” Ward added.

“We always do our homework on sides and we saw Alfreton in action on Saturday. We know they have also been watching us.”

Bury fans are hoping to take more than 200 fans to Derbyshire. Tickets will be available on the day at the Impact Arena.

Meanwhile, following their fine 3-0 victory at Dulwich Hamlet on Sunday in the FA Trophy, Bury now play their first league game for over six weeks when they face Leighton Town at Ram Meadow tonight.

Wilkins is likely to rest one or two of his squad as he looks toward Saturday. Scott Chaplin is expected to come in tonight for Lee Smith on the right side of midfield, and there may be starts for other squad players.