Bury Town chairman Russell Ward has said he hasn’t given up hope of seeing popular defender Russell Short in Blues colours again.

Short left the Ram Meadow club after Saturday’s 3-0 defeat at Wealdstone – Bury’s first defeat in 11.

He is a big loss to a squad that has suffered a succession of players leaving in recent months.

But while financial issues have been the cause for others leaving, it wasn’t the reason for Short’s.

“Russell is a massive player and a big loss,” said Ward.

“He travels from Milton Keynes and I know he has been travelling alone recently as he used to travel with some of the players who have recently left.

“He told me it’s having an effect on his private life with so much travelling alone and I fully understand that.

“Someone came forward to offer to pay all his travelling expenses, but it’s not just about money.

“I’ve told Russell to keep his kit and unless anyone insists he cancels his contract with us, he is still eligible to play for us. Never say never, I say.”

Bury’s continued financial concerns have made all the recent headlines, although Ward says that players have been paid for December and will be paid for January.

“We all need to keep positive,” Ward added.

“That’s the players, management, board and hopefully the fans too.

“This club isn’t going to fold, it has got tradition and on the pitch the boys have done a fantastic job this season. Hopefully last night’s meeting at the club (an open meeting for fans), will have done some good.

“At Wealdstone on Saturday, losing 3-0 to a big, physical side on a heavy pitch was no disgrace.

“I know this hasn’t been an easy time, but we are far from the only club, both non-league and League, who have had a few financial difficulties.

“But now we will be paying our players until the end of the season – as they should be – and then at the end of April we can look at things again.”