FORMER Bury Town favourite Ian Miller believes the club's current young bucks have a golden opportunity to showcase their talent this Saturday and follow him into the professional game.

Stuart Watson

FORMER Bury Town favourite Ian Miller believes the club's current young bucks have a golden opportunity to showcase their talent this Saturday and follow him into the professional game.

The Blues, who play at step four of the non-league pyramid, travel to Derbyshire-based side Alfreton Town knowing that a third successive scalp of a team two divisions above them would signify progression into the second round of the FA Cup for the first time in their 136-year history.

And with ITV broadcasting extensive coverage of the competition from this stage onwards, Darlington defender Miller - a product of Bury Town's partnership with the West Suffolk College Football Academy - believes that the Suffolk club's current crop of young guns could follow him into the Football League.

“I've always said that players like Bully (Tom Bullard) have got the right attitude and ability to play professional football,” said the Colchester-born 24-year-old. “It's just about getting a chance and being in the right place at the right time.

“Hopefully playing in the first round of the FA Cup will give some of these players a bit of exposure this weekend.”

Miller made over 100 appearances for Bury Town until Ipswich boss Jim Magilton spotted him in a match against his reserves and snapped him up for a nominal fee of around £5,000 in August 2006.

After making just one substitute's appearance at Town, Miller moved to current League Two leaders Darlington permanently in January this year following two successful loan spells there.

The Durham-based club also face Blue Square North opposition in the form of Droylsden on Saturday, but Miller admits he will be eager to learn the fate of his former club as soon as he gets off the pitch.

He said: “I'd like nothing more than for Bury to get a result and be in the hat. Saturday is probably the biggest game in Bury Town's history and while I know people might have been disappointed that they didn't get a lucrative away draw at the likes of Leeds or Leicester, on a positive note this is a winnable match for them.

“Wilks (Richard Wilkins, manager) and Trev (Trevor Collins, Bury Town's Director of Football) have done a phenomenal job.

“The club has had to move into a different league this season (moving across from the Ryman League, Division One North to the British Gas Business League, Midlands Division One) and have been travelling farther, but they are still getting the results.

“If Darlington and Bury Town both get through I would love them to draw each other. It would be great to go back to Ram Meadow.”