Alan Knill has confirmed Chris Brass as his new assistant manager with immediate effect.

Brassy joined the club in January 2006 as a player, drafted in by Chris Casper to shore up a leaky defence.  His performances since joining soon made him fans favourite at the club.

At the end of the 2006/07 season though, Chris was given the option of continuing as a player or taking a coaching role with the youth system at Bury.  Chris dived into the centre of excellence manager role and quickly turned the whole system on its head.  The product of Chris's coaching abilities are with the youth team now with several Under 16's already featuring on a weekly basis.

However, following the dismissal of Chris Casper and Keith Alexander twelve months ago, Brassy was the first person the board turned to with a view to a caretaker's role at Gigg Lane.  His first game was certainly a tough encounter, but the Shakers (with brassy in charge) put Championship side Norwich City to the sword in a third round FA Cup Replay at Gigg Lane.

Following Alan Knill's appointment as manager, Brassy stayed on with the new gaffer for a period of two months but then reverted back into the Centre of Excellence manager role, as well as continuing to play for local side Hyde United.  It is thought now that Chris will finally hang up the boots to concentrate on the new position at Gigg Lane.

Reaction from Alan Knill and Chris Brass will be available to Shakers World Subscribers later today.