Bury appoint highly rated non league manager to replace sacked former Prem and EFL player

Bury have took to appoint highly rated non league manager Dave McNabb to replace sacked former Prem and EFL player Andy Welsh.

The Shakers confirmed earlier in September that they had parted company with Welsh after a recent run of form that has seen two wins in their last eight games in all competitions.

But then after his departure, the club have picked up two wins – 2-0 away against Squires Gate and a 4-1 victory at home to Colne.

This leaves them 3rd in the North West Counties League Premier Division (9th tier) with 27 points from 14 games played, a point behind leaders Wythenshaw and second place Kendal Town, who have games in hand.

In comes McNabb, who took charge of more than 150 games as Rylands boss winning three promotions and the FA Vase at Wembley a few years ago. He leaves Bootle of the Northern Premier League West Division to link up with the Shakers.

Club Statement: We can confirm that Bury Football Club and Andy Welsh have agreed to part company.#BuryFC

— Bury Football Club (@buryfcofficial) September 17, 2023

STATEMENT:

We can confirm that Bury Football Club and manager Andy Welsh have agreed to part company.

We would like to thank Andy for his hard work and commitment to the club, the players, and it’s volunteers over the past three and a half years.

Andy provided outstanding leadership throughout some difficult and turbulent times, not least during a global pandemic when just playing football was a challenge. In addition to winning a league title Andy quietly helped and supported many volunteers off the pitch when they needed it.

He more than earned the right to lead the team at Gigg Lane at the start of the season. We can’t speak highly enough about him as a person, and we know many will be extremely sad to see him go.

Unfortunately, we have decided now is the right time for a change and we wish Andy all the best for the future.

The under-23s management team of Leon Mike and Stephen Sheil will take charge on an interim basis, with the recruitment process to appoint a new manager to begin with immediate effect.

⚪️🔵 Club Statement: Welcome to Bury FC, Dave Mcnabb.#BuryFC #PartfIt

— Bury Football Club (@buryfcofficial) September 25, 2023

STATEMENT:

Bury Football Club is delighted to confirm the appointment of Dave McNabb as men’s first team manager.

He is joined at Gigg Lane by his assisant Tim Lees and they arrive after a six-month stint at Northern Premier League (NPL) side, Bootle.

An extensive list of candidates was generated following the request for applications last week, with Dave and his team being chosen from a strong shortlist interviewed for the position. As a ‘born winner’, with an objective to play progressive and attractive football, he was the obvious choice to take the club forward into the next stage as we look to move up through the National League System.

Football board chair, Marcel De Matas, told buryfc.co.uk how delighted he was to get a new manager in place quickly to build on the momentum of the recent two victories:

“Getting the right appointment was key and we feel we have done that by bringing Dave and his team into the club. His pedigree speaks volumes, with a high win percentage, the creation of high-scoring teams and multiple promotions and trophies gained in what is a very competitive environment.

“We are sure this move is one that will excite supporters and enables the club to be in a position to keep up the winning habit for the rest of this season and beyond.”

We also caught up with McNabb following the announcement, who was keen to stress how excited he was to be moving to Gigg Lane:

“The club, the stadium, the fanbase, all reasons we were so keen to be involved and we are delighted to have been selected to lead the team into the next chapter. We will be playing on the front foot, scoring goals to delight the large crowds we get, and bringing in that winning mentality that you need at this level to succeed.

“We are excited to get going now. We get an immediate chance to feel that Gigg Lane atmosphere tomorrow evening so we look forward to seeing you all there.”

We will have more from Dave in his first interview as manager on Tuesday morning, available on our YouTube channel. Click to subscribe so you never miss a thing, HERE.

The new management team will be in charge for the first time this Tuesday, when we take on FC Isle of Man at Gigg Lane. Get your tickets to give Dave and his staff your biggest Gigg Lane welcome HERE.

Welcome to Bury, David, and Up the Shakers!

This is how fans reacted as Bury appoint highly rated non league manager Dave McNabb to replace sacked former Prem and EFL player Andy Welsh…

@shakerfacts: Welcome to Gigg Lane and Bury FC!

@ALEXD0ESSTUFF: Fantastic he was at Rylands, only so much he could do at Macclesfield. He definitely will thrive

@englandjack10: Bloody hell we have ourselves a manager, his track record looks amazing, let’s all get behind him and we can still have an amazing season

@WendyJBrown65: You’ve got yourselves a brilliant manager there. Good luck Dave 💙

@BFC25411: Welcome to the madhouse UTS 🔵⚪

@Steph021191: Welcome on board Bury FC 🤍💙 UTS!!

@MarkHowsham: At last something that all shakers seem to agree on. It’s been a while. Time to crack on now. Starting tomorrow.

@adam_warrington: Welcome to Bury David. Let’s get off to a good start tomorrow!

@BradleyS__: Welcome to the club! 🤍💙🥳

@Chris__Kendall: Yes! Quality appointment! 👏

@Burychadchad: Welcome.. up the shakers!

@cossie1982: Possibly the first thing the majority of Bury fans have agreed on in 4 years… #Buryfc

@CiaranCoakley7:
Got a Belter there ^ 👏
Another scouser involved again 💪

@ZakHayes6: Great manager and a class act, was always more than happy to share his time and thoughts when I and a few others worked with Rylands for a Uni project. Good luck @davidmcnabb82 👏🏻

@BuryFCLad: Up the fucking shaggers! HMS piss the league

@BFC8420: Really Happy with this! His record speaks for itself #UTS #BuryFC

@martyn_raf1612: Can’t wait for tomorrow now. Dave Mcnabb’s barmy army ⚪️🔵 UTS

@chrxs_t_: Seems like a great appointment on paper. Fresh start that we needed and hopefully we can crack on from here. You whites