BECKFORD COUP SHAKES THEM UP
LEE CLARK reckons Bury signing Jermaine Beckford will disappoint some people – managers in the Championship and League One! The Shakers’ boss has made the 33-year-old his first addition of the summer following the former Leeds, Leicester and Bolton striker’s release by Preston. It promises to be a busy close season at Gigg Lane as the League One outfit look to bounce back from a disappointing campaign that saw them finish just one point above the relegation zone.
Clark has released 11 players, including Jacob Mellis, Jermaine Pennant and Ishmael Miller.
But the ex-Huddersfield and Birmingham chief thinks the arrival of the experienced Beckford, who played in the Premier League at Everton, is a sign of their transfer market intent.
“Thankfully we got in very quickly when we heard that Jermaine had been released by Preston,” said Clark. “This shows our intent and I have no doubt that there will be a few disappointed Championship and League One clubs once they hear the news that we have secured his signature.
Determination
“Jermaine is a renowned goal scorer, a player that has been involved in two League One sides getting promoted to the Championship.
“I met him and was very impressed with his character, determination and his personality.
“For us to get Jermaine and make him our first summer signing shows our intent and what we are trying to do. I’m absolutely delighted to get him in and it’s credit to the chairman in getting this deal done so early in the summer.”
Clark, who took over in February, is also excited about the prospect of Beckford renewing his partnership with former Huddersfield team-mate James Vaughan.
“A lot of people will be thinking that Jermaine has been brought in to replace James Vaughan,” Clark added. “He’s not, we have brought Jermaine to Bury so he can play alongside James. They have played alongside each other before and I want them to rekindle that partnership in a Bury shirt.”
Beckford has signed a two-year deal and says he was quickly sold by the impressive plans of Clark and chairman Stewart Day.
He said: “I’m just so excited about being given the chance to play football and the vision that has been shown to me by the manager and the chairman just blew my mind.”