WHEN Bury fans first clapped eyes on Dwayne Mattis they could have been forgiven for thinking Jason Jarrett had returned to Gigg Lane.

There's certainly a similar energy to their performances and both are excellent box-to-box players.

Jarrett has since become a key figure in the Wigan midfield though those same Shakers supporters probably didn't see the same qualities that persuaded Paul Jewell to take him to the JJB Stadium.

Mattis, who recently celebrated his 23rd birthday, is certainly an unknown quantity to the Bury loyalists.

Unknown quantity

The former Huddersfield Town player finished his career at the McAlpine Stadium as a bit-part player but is now expected to become a regular starter for Graham Barrow's team.

"I wasn't in Peter Jackson's plans for the new season and he told me I needed a fresh start.

"I had offers from other clubs but this was the one I wanted to come to," said Mattis.

"Hopefully, I will have a major role to play in midfield where there are already some good players.

"I want to try and get forward and to get my fair share of goals. I'll always work hard and try to help the team and will always give 100 per cent.

"I'm young enough but I have some experience behind me," added Mattis who made nearly 60 starts for the Terriers.

"I was released at the end of last season and went on holiday. While I was away the gaffer rang and asked me into the club for talks.

"He told me where he wanted to take the club and what he wanted to do. And he told me he wanted to be part of that.

"Graham and Kelham (O'Hanlon) have been brilliant with me. If we need any help on the training ground they are willing to stay behind and help you.

Confidence

"They've worked on my game and as a young lad that's what you need. They give you lots of confidence and I have been very impressed so far.

"I will be playing a different way to how I played for Huddersfield. The gaffer has explained how he wants me to play and I'll be trying to get into the box and hopefully I can get my fair of goals."

Mattis was one of five new players recruited by Barrow during the summer though Jon Newby and Dave Challinor are hardly strangers.

Striker Graeme Jones and midfielder Brian Barry Murphy already look useful acquisitions and Bury have good reason to be optimistic about the coming season.

However, they're faced with two testing away trips after yesterday's opener against Yeovil Town.

On Tuesday they travel to Bristol Rovers whose close season recruits include Robbie Ryan, the former Millwall left back mesmerised by Cristiano Ronaldo during the FA Cup final back in May. And four days later Bury take on Grimsby Town - the first meeting between the clubs since 1999.

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