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Morrell wants strikers' shirts

Dave Lawrenson
14/ 8/2008

BURY strikers Andy Bishop and Glynn Hurst had better watch out as new signing Andy Morrell is gunning for their shirts.

Tuesday night’s Carling Cup tie with Burnley proved that 33-year-old Morrell has started his Bury career behind Bishop and Hurst in the front line pecking order having signed a two-year deal from Championship giants Blackpool.

But he does not intend to stay third choice for long.

Morrell, who was Blackpool’s top scorer with 20 goals last season and who was the leading scorer in all four divisions with 34 strikes in 45 games for Wrexham in the 2002/03 campaign, said: "It’s going to be tough for me because the two lads play really well together. I am going to have to work hard.

"I sort of know Glynn Hurst from playing against him in previous years and Bish has a big reputation in this league.

"I will have to impress the manager in training to get in."

Morrell’s arrival comes as a huge relief for Bury boss Alan Knill, who has been desperate to sign a proven goal scorer all summer.

Ex-Coventry player Morrell, who was coached by legendary Liverpool striker Ian Rush, turned down a contract extension at Blackpool and he also had offers from other clubs, including Cheltenham.

But Knill’s smooth talking ensured that Bury got their man.

Morrell said: "I had a couple of other options but Bury just felt right. The gaffer sold the club to me really well and I am just happy to be here.

"I’ve had good reports from others that have worked with the gaffer. They have all said that he’s a good coach and that he wants players to get better and, even though I’m 33, I think I can do that.

"Bury seems to be a club that is going in the right direction and, hopefully, I can help with that.

"I’m thoroughly looking forward to the challenge. At my age I just want to be playing football. Hopefully, I can do that here and score a few goals."

Knill was originally expecting to only be able to sign a striker on a loan deal but Bury’s board have come up trumps as far as Morrell is concerned.

Knill said: "It’s fantastic from the board. I’m not saying that he’s on loads of money but it’s Andy Morrell. He’s a Championship player and he had a Championship offer on the table.

"He’s a big signing for us. He has a proven track record of scoring goals and he has played at a really good level. Andy could still play at that level but he has chosen to come to us. And it’s not because we have thrown money at him. It is because he believes in what we are trying to do here."

Morrell played the last 25 minutes of Tuesday’s 2-0 cup defeat to Burnley and Knill is planning to continue to ease him back into action.

Knill said: "Andy has been training in pre-season but he hasn’t played any games. So I will ease him in. He played 25 minutes against Burnley and may get more minutes against Chesterfield at the weekend.

"I am looking at the bigger picture and that is getting Andy fit for the whole season. I don’t see the sense in starting him when he’s not quite ready."