Alan Knill; not sure if he took his trophy with him to sunny Scunny
So he will not get the chance to see if it's third time lucky in the promotion stakes for Bury boss Alan Knill as the Lancashire club have agreed a compensation package with Championship strugglers Scunthorpe for Knill to take over at Glanford Park.
Knill spent four years of his playing career with the Iron between 1993 and 1997 and has been favourite to succeed Ian Baraclough, who himself replaced successful former manager Nigel Adkins who buggered off to League One Southampton.
He was appointed at Gigg Lane in February 2008 and leaves the Lancashire club in fourth place in League Two, another possible promotion failure after the last two near misses would have been just too much the bear.
Assistant manager Chris Brass and goalkeeping coach Neil Cutler have joined Knill in leaving the Shakers.
A club statement on www.buryfc.co.uk announced: "It is with deep regret that we announce Alan Knill is no longer manager of Bury Football Club. The club have reluctantly agreed a compensation package with Scunthorpe United for Alan to take over the manager's role with immediate effect. The club will announce who will be taking over as caretaker manager in due course."
While at www.scunthorpe-united.co.uk, general manager said: "Alan Knill was always the number one choice. Having had conversations with Alan, the chairman was adamant he was the right man. We're pleased it has all come together. At one stage we felt we might have to wait until the end of the season but we're delighted to have Alan and his team in place for the remaining games of the season."
Whether Knill will be in charge of the Iron's game at Norwich City this weekend as Scunny caretaker boss Tony Daws steps down the club have yet to announce.
Experienced manager Ian Dowie has been reported as the favourite to take over at Bury.
Meanwhile, youth team boss Richie Barker will be in charge of first team affairs for the home game with Oxford United.
Barker will take control be assisted by skipper Steven Schumacher, who starts a two-game suspension today.
A further Bury FC statement said: "The directors would like to place on record their appreciation for the positivity coming from the first team dressing room. There is a tremendous team spirit amongst our players. Ryan Lowe and (former Shrimper) Efe Sodje arrived for preliminary discussions with the board of directors and made their opinions known on the way forward. All efforts are now being made in preparation for Saturday's game with Oxford United and the board of directors again ask all of our supporters to get right behind the team."
Good move?
Bottom - Championship
| 20 | Coventry City | 38 | 7 | 3 | 9 | 22 | 24 | 4 | 6 | 9 | 19 | 26 | 11 | 9 | 18 | 41 | 50 | 42 | -9 |
| 21 | Crystal Palace | 38 | 9 | 6 | 4 | 24 | 18 | 1 | 3 | 15 | 13 | 41 | 10 | 9 | 19 | 37 | 59 | 39 | -22 |
| 22 | Sheffield United | 38 | 6 | 4 | 9 | 21 | 28 | 3 | 4 | 12 | 13 | 31 | 9 | 8 | 21 | 34 | 59 | 35 | -25 |
| 23 | Scunthorpe United | 38 | 4 | 4 | 11 | 15 | 34 | 6 | 0 | 13 | 18 | 34 | 10 | 4 | 24 | 33 | 68 | 34 | -35 |
| 24 | Preston North End | 37 | 4 | 4 | 11 | 19 | 32 | 3 | 6 | 9 | 23 | 33 | 7 | 10 | 20 | 42 | 65 | 31 | -23 |
Top - League Two
| 2 | Wycombe Wanderers | 38 | 9 | 5 | 5 | 29 | 22 | 9 | 5 | 5 | 26 | 22 | 18 | 10 | 10 | 55 | 44 | 64 | +11 |
| 3 | Shrewsbury Town | 39 | 8 | 8 | 3 | 27 | 17 | 9 | 4 | 7 | 33 | 28 | 17 | 12 | 10 | 60 | 45 | 63 | +15 |
| 4 | Bury | 38 | 7 | 6 | 5 | 27 | 20 | 10 | 5 | 5 | 37 | 20 | 17 | 11 | 10 | 64 | 40 | 62 | +24 |
| 5 | Stevenage | 39 | 7 | 9 | 3 | 29 | 18 | 9 | 3 | 8 | 23 | 16 | 16 | 12 | 11 | 52 | 34 | 60 | +18 |
| 6 | Gillingham | 39 | 10 | 5 | 4 | 24 | 15 | 5 | 10 | 5 | 32 | 30 | 15 | 15 | 9 | 56 | 45 | 60 | +11 |
| 7 | Port Vale | 39 | 10 | 6 | 4 | 23 | 17 | 6 | 6 | 7 | 22 | 23 | 16 | 12 | 11 | 45 | 40 | 60 | +5 |