The Shakers plan to keep their targets under wraps for as long as possible to avoid a repeat of last summer's transfer fiasco.

Last pre-season, Chris Casper decided to go public with a shortlist of five names in order to show fans the calibre of player he hoped to attract to the club.

Matt Hamshaw, Andy Monkhouse, Les Pogliacomi, Danny Whitaker and Ritchie Partridge became known as the Famous Five,' but Casper acknowledges it was a mistake to show his cards too early in the market after losing out on all five signings.

The Bury boss now describes his decision as "cringeworthy," and although some of the named players - Hamshaw in particular - were in advanced talks, club staff have made a joint decision to close ranks on speculation this season until a contract is signed.

"We are in conversation with a lot of players at this point," said club director Ian Harrop.

"No one is in any form of panic over the situation, and we have verbal agreements with a few.

"We know though, through experience, that it is not a good idea to name names until we have got something in writing. We have learned that after last season."

The Shakers squad would, at present, appear to be paper-thin after losing Marc Pugh and Darran Kempson to Shrewsbury last week.

Source: The Bury Times