The League Two crown may have eluded them, but Bury celebrated their first promotion for 14 years like true champions on Sunday.

The supporters came out in force to applaud Richie Barker’s newly-promoted team as they made their way through the town to the Rock Shopping Centre on an open top bus.

After enduring 12 months of barracking at the hands of rival Rochdale supporters, Bury fans can enjoy their summer in the knowledge they will be competing against the old enemy in League One next season having emulated their 2010 promotion success.

And securing the services of caretaker boss Barker on a permanent basis would complete a great year at Gigg Lane.

Barker took the reins when Alan Knill departed for Scunthorpe at the end of March, winning his first six games in charge to guide Bury home and land the April Manager of the Month award in the process.

His side drew 3-3 at Stevenage on Saturday to finish the season second to Chesterfield.

But Barker insisted he was too still too busy to start thinking about his long-term future at the club.

“We’ll all be in on Tuesday when contracts will be discussed with the players we want to retain. I’ll be there to do whatever needs doing both as first team manager and as head of youth development. The lads are going away for a break next week and have kindly invited me with them. So we’ll have a bit of time off together and see what happens from there.”

Chesterfield’s victory over Gillingham at the weekend rendered the Shakers’ effort redundant in terms of the trophy – but promotion was the top prize and Bury already had that in the bag going into the clash at Stevenage.

Scott Laird put the home side ahead after just eight minutes before Shakers skipper Steven Schumacher equalised.

The ding dong battle continued with Craig Reid restoring the hosts advantage before Nicky Ajose continued his fine end-of-season form with the leveller.

Bury then took the lead after the break when Schumacher grabbed his second, but Ben May’s effort ensured the game ended all square.

“Quite a few people have said it, and I’d agree, that we have played the best football in League Two,” said Barker.

“We haven’t got the biggest of squads so everybody has had to work really hard and I’ve found that everybody’s attitude over the last few weeks has been brilliant and everybody behind the scenes has been brilliant as well.

“It was a great idea to have the parade on Sunday so that everybody could join in and give the lads a really good send off at the end of what has been an absolutely terrific season for us all.”

Bury: Belford 6, Skarz 6, Lees 6, Sodje 6, Sweeney 6, Worrall 6, Schumacher 8, Jones 6 (Haworth 66), Bennett 7 (McCartney, 90), Lowe 7, Ajose 6 (John-Lewis 79). Subs not used: Branagan, Picken, Futcher, Jones, John-Lewis

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