Bury appoint Knill as new manager

Knill was a well-liked centre-half when he played at Gigg Lane

League Two strugglers Bury have appointed Chesterfield assistant boss Alan Knill as their new manager.

Knill, 43, made more than 150 appearances for the Shakers as a central defender between 1989 and 1993.

And Bury director Ian Harrop stressed Knill's previous history at Gigg Lane was a big factor in his appointment.

"Alan has an affinity with Bury having played over 150 times for us and we hope he's the man for the rest of this season," he told BBC Radio Manchester.

"Alan knows the division as he's seen us play five or six times.

606: DEBATE It's nice to see an old face back at the Lane but I'd have preferred someone with a lot more experience of life in the middle and lower leagues Chizzleface

"He's aware of our players and our strengths and weaknesses.

"Alan has done very well at Chesterfield and I'd like to go on record thanking them and their chairman Barrie Hubbard who was very disappointed to lose Alan.

"Alan was very well thought of there but they realise he is ambitious and he wants to be a number one and we've given him that opportunity.

"Short term Alan's remit is clearly Football League survival which is paramount for the well-being of Bury Football Club."

Knill was appointed as Chesterfield assistant manager in March 2007, shortly after being dismissed from his second spell as Rotherham manager.

The first game in charge for Knill will be the derby against Stockport at Gigg Lane on Tuesday.

He succeeds caretaker boss Chris Brass, who will revert to his role as the Shakers' centre of excellence manager.

Brass took over when Chris Casper and his assistant Keith Alexander were sacked in January.