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Bury confirm signing of experienced former EFL player for fourth spell with the club

Bury confirm the signing of experienced former EFL player Nicky Adams for what will be his fourth spell with the club.

The 38 year old began his professional career at the Shakers in 2005, returned in 2014 and then again in 2018, taking his total appearances for Bury to 191.

Adams rejoins Bury following a spell with Radcliffe, who he had joined in June 2022, and in his first season for the club, became captain and guided them to promotion to the National League North, of which they are still in, although currently sit in the relegation zone.

BURY STATEMENT:

We are delighted to announce the signing of midfielder Nicky Adams from Radcliffe, and with it Nicky starts a fourth spell at Gigg Lane.

The 38-year-old began his footballing career with the Shakers, after coming through the club’s youth setup in the early 2000s.

He made his first team debut in October 2005 in a 1-0 win against Darlington, in what was a debut not only for him but the first game in charge for the then manager, Chris Casper.

Nicky scored the only goal of the game, which ended up being the first of 14 in his first spell at the club.

Casper spoke highly of Adams after his debut: “I’m made up for young Nicky Adams, as he has really worked hard on his game. He’s run himself into the ground for the team, and he took the goal well.”

This kind of performance was typical of the player, both on and off the field. His character was infectious, resonating with those in the stands and in the changing room-a-like. His abilities were noticed by a host of clubs and his first spell at Gigg Lane came to a close with a move to League One-side Leicester City in 2008.

He made his first return in May 2014 following spells at Brentford, Rochdale, Crawley Town and Rotherham United. This second stint only lasted a season, but his first promotion as a Shaker came with it, earning a top-three spot on the last day of the 2014/15 season at Tranmere.

Adams’ third spell began in the summer of 2018 when he joined a newly-relegated League Two side under the stewardship of club legend Ryan Lowe.

Nicky was the captain, leading by example and despite fantastic displays on the pitch, and another promotion to League One, (again at Tranmere), turmoil off the pitch spiralled the Shakers supporters into despair.

We left the Football League in the summer of 2019 after 125 years of membership.

Nicky spoke out on social media about the behind the scenes issues, but this was unable to prevent the downturn in club’s plight, with all players and staff eventually leaving the club after pay had been withheld for months.

Moving on again, Nick headed back to Northampton for a second spell, before returning north to Boundary Park and Oldham Athletic. Recently he joined Radcliffe, and helped guide them to promotion last season as Boro hit the National League North for the first time.

He reached 100 appearances for Boro earlier this month, and has over 750 appearances across an extensive 22-year career to date.

“I just think it’s the perfect time, you know as soon as I knew the opportunity was there for me to come back, it was just a no-brainer for myself, said Adams in his first interview since his return.

“I’ve got a lot of history with this football club. I’m absolutely buzzing and I can’t thank everyone, for making it happen really.

“Hopefully, I can come in and give everything I’ve got as usual and help us do what we need to do.”

Manager Dave McNabb added: “I’m over the moon to get this one done.

“Nicky is a hero to the club and the fans.

“He will bring a huge amount of experience and quality into the group just as we approach a critical part of the season.

“It moved really quickly over the last few days and I was so impressed with Nicky’s attitude and his hunger for the game in general but in particular his passion for this football club.”

To date Nicky has made 191 Bury appearances, scoring 19 goals. We are sure you will be looking forward to welcoming him back to Gigg Lane once again.

The agreement is subject to FA and league approval, with Nicky going into Dave McNabb’s squad this week once this has been confirmed.

HIS CAREER:

Youth career
–2005 Bury

Senior
2005–2008 – Bury – 94 games (17 goals)
2008–2010 – Leicester City – 38 games (2 goals)
2009 → Rochdale (loan) – 14 games (1 goal)
2010 → Leyton Orient (loan) – 6 games (0 goals)
2010–2011 – Brentford – 10 games (0 goals)
2010–2012 – Rochdale – 78 games (4 goals)
2012–2014 – Crawley Town – 82 games (14 goals)
2014 Rotherham United – 15 games (1 goal)
2014–2015 – Bury – 44 games (1 goal)
2015–2016 – Northampton Town – 45 games (3 goals)
2016–2018 – Carlisle United – 69 games (3 goals)
2018–2019 – Bury – 53 games (3 goals)
2019–2021 – Northampton Town – 55 games (3 goals)
2021–2022 – Oldham Athletic – 59 games (0 goals)
2022– Radcliffe – 101 games (0 goals)

International career
2007–2008 – Wales U21 – 5 games (0 goals)

RADCLIFFE STATEMENT:

We can confirm that captain Nicky Adams has left the club to rejoin Bury, a move which sees the midfielder link up with a side that he made over 150 appearances for during his professional career.

Nicky signed under the management of Bobby Grant in June 2022, immediately becoming captain of the club upon his arrival and went on to play just under 50 games in his first season, gaining 16 assists as the Boro narrowly missed out on the play-offs. There was some success however, with the capture of the Manchester Premier Cup after a 3-0 victory over Wythenshawe Town in the final.

In the 2023/24 campaign, Radcliffe created history by becoming Champions of the NPL Premier Division under Nicky’s captaincy, once again playing almost every game and providing 17 assists, whilst also scoring on two occasions. Nicky continued to set the standard both on and off the field, as well as being a hugely popular and influential figure to the Boro faithful.

A rare injury gave the captain a minor set back at the beginning of this season, Radcliffe’s first ever in the National League North, but once he returned with a substitute cameo against Warrington Town in the FA Cup, he immediately picked up where he left off with his trademark crosses into the box and being an ever-present reliability in the centre of the park.

Overall, Nicky featured 101 times for the Boro, scoring two goals and providing 32 assists for his teammates, with further accolades including four Player of the Match awards, one Player of the Month award, two inclusions in the NPL Team of the Season, and the 2022/23 Player of the Season award.

He will forever be remembered for his substantial contributions to the club both on and off the pitch, and everyone at Radcliffe thanks him for his two and a half years whilst proudly wearing our badge on his chest.

Nicky has penned a written statement to reflect on his time at the Neuven Stadium.

‘What can I say, it’s been an unbelievable two and a half years at Radcliffe. From the first conversation I had with Marcus and Paul back in 2022, I was immediately sold on the project they put before me here, and what we’ve done is something very special.

Myself and the lads were absolutely gutted to miss out on the play-offs in my first season after working so hard throughout the campaign, but we then kicked on in the second season, with the gaffers and all of the talented players they brought in, and created history this year.

I couldn’t have asked for anything more from my time at Radcliffe, I’ve met friends and made memories for life that I’ll be able to cherish forever. I’m so happy to have played a part in this incredible club’s history, and I hope I made everyone proud.

At the stage of my career that I’m at, it feels like the right time to do this and leave on good terms. Returning to Bury is an opportunity for myself to go full circle after starting my career there at the age of 16, which is something not a lot of players get to do.

I want to thank every player, past or present that I’ve shared the changing rooms with here, and all of the staff in the dugout and behind the scenes, none of this would’ve been possible without them. They have, and continue to be a key part of our success over the few seasons.

Finally, I want to say a massive thank you to the fans. It’s been an unbelievable journey for me being at this football club, from where the club was to where it is now is incredible, and hearing the Radcliffe fans chant my name every week was a really special feeling. Stay behind the boys and continue to be their 12th man, again, I hope I did you all proud.

Nicky’

Nicky and his family will always be welcome back at the Neuven Stadium, he will go down in history as one of the club’s greatest ever captains.

Thank you for everything, Nicky.

Twitter users gave their reaction as Bury confirm signing of experienced former EFL player Nicky Adams for a fourth spell with the club…

@RossendaleWhit1: Welcome home @nickyadams10 🤍💙🤍💙 Don’t suppose you got Danny Mayor’s number by any chance? 😉

@GreedyReadie_90: This is a beautiful thing 😍💙💙💙

@EmmHilton1: 🔵⚽️🚂 Promotion King 👑 #HeTellsTheJokes

@BradleyJon13078: Get the Fuck in back home let’s win the league ⚽️

@dermo_02: Some signing, this

@BradleyS__: 🔙🏡 Nicky is a phenomenal signing! Went to a few games at Radcliffe last season when Bury weren’t on and he’s still a class operator who adds greatly to this already top team we have! 👌 Best of luck @nickyadams10, we couldn’t be happier. 🕺🏻🤍💙

@ArminSportsLaw: The man who captained us to the third tier of English football in 2019, returns 5 years later to play for the same club in tier 9. Welcome home @nickyadams10

@JosephEckersall: Oh Nicky Adams he’s still on the piss, welcome home 🤩🤩 Once a shaker forever a shaker 🤍💙

@CaliJ98: First ever Bury game I went to in like 2007 he was playing ffs how old is he

@DylanDoItDW:
Written in the stars 💫 ✨
Welcome home
@nickyadams10
⚪🔵
Time for another Bury X Nicky Adams promotion party?
Up the black pudding shakers ⚪🔵

@BurySned: Actual goosebumps watching those goals

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