Chris Beech welcomes Mike Sheron to Gigg Lane

Following the capture of Mike Sheron as the clubs new Centre of Excellence manager, we grabbed Chris Beech and Chris Casper for their reaction to Shez coming on board.

Youth team manager Chris Beech said:  "Shez will bring plenty of experience in from a playing point of view. What a career he had and I played against him a few times in what is now the Championship at Barnsley and QPR, he's been all over the place."

"We had over 75 applications for Ryan Kidd's position; obviously Ryan has moved onto Barnsley now and is doing really well.  We had a lot of strong candidates and got it down to five, and within that five, each candidate was very strong in certain areas, appearances and what they had to offer to us, and to be fair, Mike just edged it on everyone else."

"He is hungry, he needs an opportunity and we are giving him one.  He will suffer from shell shock as soon as he crosses the line because it really is a hard role.  I don't think people realize and understand how hard that role is."

"Its difficult and you're a headmaster of football in a school, and within that, with not much structure around you, you are on your own for a lot of the time, but it is something we are developing and we are getting more structure around it."

"The fact that his first ever game as a professional player was for Bury is relevant.  The Bury fans will relate to that and it's a personal link, but I am sure that he will do a good job.  He interviewed well, he has good links with where he is coming from.  He was at Manchester City looking after their Under 14's.  He knows a lot of people within the game and he will hopefully bring some extra ammunition into what we are about here at Bury."

Meanwhile, the Shakers gaffer Chris Casper also spoke highly of Mike and said:  "I think Mike coming in is a massive boost for the club.  It's important that the structure and the foundations is there."

"I think we've seen with the likes of David Worrall and how the Youth Team is doing this season, they won 6-0 on Saturday, and there are some good players coming through the system and some good players coming through the centre of excellence."

"I think it's important that the centre of excellence has got a focal point and somebody whose name is going to be attractive to Bury Football Club and to somebody who wants to send their child to train with us and hopefully play for us."

"Mike interviewed very well.  Everybody knows Mike Sheron, a good goalscorer and a good coach as well.  He is qualified and is still going through the qualification process and he's a good acquisition for the club."

"Young players have been involved with the first team this season and there are more coming through the system.  It's massive for us and it's got to be a big part of the club.  We haven't got a big budget, it's nowhere near the likes of Hartlepool & MK Dons.  Those type of clubs are well out of sight."

"We have to produce our own youngsters, and anyone that does send their child here knows that the first team is a real opportunity for them to progress their career.  I'm really pleased that Mike has accepted to job with us and I welcome him to the club."