All you need to know for your afternoon/evening here in Bury, how to get here, grab a pint, feed the kids or even shopping for the wife. Its all here:-

Click here for more info on Gigg Lane, the home of the mighty Shakers

A LOOK AROUND THE TOWN OF BURY: Rolling moorland, pretty wooded river valleys, industrial activity, even its own vintage steam line, Bury without doubt is a centre of almost unique contrast and variety. Stretching as it does, from cosmopolitan city suburbs, through urban centres of character and individual identity, then beyond to the Irwell Valley and the beautiful Pennine foothills, the Borough, despite the hurly-burly of modern day life, retains its strong sense of community in its friendly urban villages.

Yet there is nothing parochial about the people who are as comfortable in the busy city centre of Manchester, just a stone's throw away, as they are in the countryside that surrounds their homes. Covering an area of some 10,000 hectares and with a population of 182,000, the Metropolitan Borough of Bury is made up of six distinctive towns. Although Bury, Prestwich, Whitefield, Radcliffe, Tottington and Ramsbottom all retain their individuality, they still form an integral part of the Greater Manchester area, which is itself the regional centre of North West England and the UK's largest economic area outside London.

The area's rich industrial heritage shaped the modern Metropolitan Borough, but the reclamation of worn-out industrial land has continued apace leading to a green and pleasant environment. Scenery varies remarkably. In the north, the West Pennine Moors lead down to the meandering River Irwell with its pretty wooded valleys. Then it is on to the more industrialised landscapes before arriving in the commuter suburbs of the south, which lie within four miles of city centre Manchester.

Attractions in the Metropolitan Borough are there to suit all tastes - just take your choice. A superb and expanding preserved steam line, the East Lancashire Railway, with historic locomotives, drawing tourists, residents and enthusiasts along the picturesque Irwell Valley; Britain's largest cinema of its kind when it first opened, the Warner Village multiplex at Pilsworth, while the entertainment theme continues just a few yards away with two themed restaurants and the Megabowl ten pin bowling complex.

In central Bury, the refurbished and expanded MillGate Shopping Centre with its covered walkways, luscious plant life and street furniture attracts local people and an ever-growing number of visitors from around the region. Right next door is the famous Bury Market, a traditional open market, recently refurbished, with countless bargains and incredible variety.

Although many districts claim to be the hub of the North West for communications, Bury has a better claim than most. The busy M62 runs east to west connecting directly to the M6, the Ml and other local motorways. The M66 runs north to south linking Manchester and North East Lancashire. This in turn links with the M65 which allows travel through to the M6 at Preston, while the final link in the Manchester orbital motorway will create the M60 around the city.

That will open a new, more direct link to Manchester Airport while improving access to all parts of the city region. In the centre of Bury is a series of dual carriageway ring roads, with numerous adjacent car parks, providing easy access to the central area and shops. Metrolink was the UK's first on-street light rapid transport and from Bury delivers the traveller direct to Manchester's Piccadilly Rail Station. There InterCity services provide links to the UK's major cities, including an hourly service to London taking just 2 hours 35 minutes.

From 1999, the tram service will extend to Salford Quays with Eccles to follow by Spring 2000. Complement his with excellent facilities for Education and Leisure, together with housing of all types, and it is easy to see why residents and industrialists alike find Bury Metropolitan Borough an attractive place to live and work and a place that can look to the coming Millennium with confidence.

Bury FC Web Links: The Official Bury FC Message Board (Not PTV)

BURY FOOTBALL CLUB - DIRECTIONS:

BY CAR: All Directions: Exit M60 at junction 17 (s/p A56 Whitefield, Salford). At roundabout follow signs to `Whitfield A56, Radcliffe (A665), Bury A56' onto the A56. After 0.3 miles go straight over double traffic lights passing McDonalds on LHS (s/p Bury A56, Radcliffe A665). At lights after 0.8 miles (just after the `Bull's Head' pub) bear right (s/p Bury A56). Straight on at lights after 1.0 miles (s/p Town Centre). After 1.0 miles turn right (s/p Football Ground) into Gigg Lane. Ground is on RHS after 0.1 miles.

FROM METROLINK STATION (Bury): 0.7 miles to ground. Trams run from Manchester Victoria and Manchester Piccadilly. By taxi: £1.50. By bus: Nos. 90, 92, 134, 135 and 137 run every ten minutes down Manchester Road past the end of Gigg Lane. By foot: This route takes in a couple of the pubs listed below. Turn left out of station along covered passageway and past various bus-stops. At T-junction with Haymarket Street (by the Chicago Rock Cafe) turn left. Straight over crossroads, down Knowsley Street. This comes out opposite `Sergios' and a white monument. Here, turn left along the Manchester Road, towards the `Staff of Life'. Turn left after about 0.5 miles into Gigg Lane. Last Midweek Trains: The Metrolink has a frequent service to both Manchester mainline stations. Please double-check on Metrolink (0161) 205 2000, and Rail Enquiries on (0345) 484 950.

BY BUS: As above.

PARKING: Much of Gigg Lane itself is coned off, but the side streets are not, and there's a good deal of space. The police will advise on parking on you arrival for mini-buses at Gigg Lane.

THE STADIUM: The Cemetery End has been converted into an all-seater stand. Visiting fans are housed in the Cemetery End. It's covered and provides excellent views of the action

TOTAL CAPACITY: 11,601.

FOR AWAY FANS: Seating 2,100 Cemetery End (East Stand). Turnstiles 1,2 & 3 for Cash on the day, 4, 5 & 6 for supporters with tickets. Cost: Click here for ticket details

DISABLED FACILITIES: Bury FC's disabled supporters have a sponsored mini-bus, only missing away games when the host club has no facilities for them. It comes as no surprise therefore, that facilities at Gigg Lane are very good. For away fans, there's room for 6 wheelchairs and helpers in the Manchester Road Stand. Disabled Toilet: In South Stand and Starkies Restaurant. Cost: Free for disabled and helper. Booking: In advance (48 hours) via the away club ticket office. Parking: Available, please book. For the Blind: 12 seats in the Main Stand family section have headphones for hospital radio commentary. No entry fee.

PROGRAMME: £2.50. 64 Pages

TICKETS: For details of Ticket Prices at Gigg Lane, click here

FOOD AND DRINK: The pies were warm, the pastry crusty and the filling very grey. That said, fans liked them: `Slightly spicy and very good,' said one. The pasties also got the thumbs-up, but the tea and coffee were, wrote an Ipswich fan: `Typical football fare. In other words, weak, uninteresting and expensive'. The Chicken Balti Pies are to die for...

EAT, DRINK & MISC: Bury Social Club welcomes visiting fans both before and after the match as long as it's not too busy, charging £1 for non-members. There's a bar serving food, a large-screen TV and a separate children's area. The easiest pubs to find are along the A56 Manchester Road or the roads turning off it:

The Staff of Life - 111-113 Manchester Road (0161) 764 6246 Tetleys (with JW Lees bitter). The closest pub to the ground, and most hospitable it is too. Public and lounge bars, and separate pool room. Darts, 2 TVs. Sandwiches and pies if away fans have travelled a long way. Children welcome in the lounge. Open: all day. B&B for £15.

The Pack Horse Hotel - 201 Manchester Road (0161) 761 5635 Whitbread. A newly-refurbished sports-mad pub with a big-screen TV, pool table, and separate room with darts and pub games. Beer garden. The landlord organises football quizzes and provides huge home-made sandwiches. Families welcome. Open: all day.

The Swan & Cemetary: Manchester Road. Caters for all tastes, superb family meals. Very friendly to away supporters and highly recommended. Large car park and spacious interior. This pub is situated past the ground (if you are coming from the town center) approx 300 yards past Gigg Lane. Open all day from 1200

The Blue Bell - Manchester Road. Joseph Holts (Manchester Independent Brewery). Large pub, catering for all tastes with a quiet lounge and a separate room with the jukebox, darts, cards and dominoes. Open: all day from 12.

The only takeaway within easy striking distance of Gigg Lane is `Man Sons Chinese Takeaway (See directions for Jolly Waggoners)in Manchester Old Road. The `Blue Sky Fishbar'/Chinese takeaway on Redvales Road doesn't open until 5 pm. Otherwise, it's a good idea to stop off at one of the many takeaways along the A56. They include a McDonalds, `Antonio's' (which has pizzas, kebabs and chicken), the attractive bistro-style `Peppe's Pizzeria', a `Prime Pizza', and the `Tong Feng' Chinese takeaway. Supporters looking for a sit-down meal before an evening game could try the `EstEstEst' Trattoria (2.2 miles from the M60). It's a large lively modern-style Italian restaurant, where children have fun choosing toppings for their pizzas. Large parties should book on (0161) 766 4869.

It's only a few minutes' walk from Gigg Lane to the town centre. Near the Metrolink is a Pizza Hut, a Burger King and a wonderful traditional fish-and-chip restaurant/takeaway called `The Cornmarket' on Haymarket Street, which also has a children's menu. Just round the corner in Market Street is the `Spice Hut' which opens at 5 pm - the `very hot' vindaloo sounds a challenge (from £2.90). Opposite is the recommended Met Theatre Bar.

For those seeking lesser-known statistics, Bury fans say that their away support, as a percentage of the home support, is the highest in the league.

SAFETY FACTOR: No problems except at local derbies. Extremely friendly home supporters - ask Sunderland?

RIVALS: First and foremost Bolton, now nicknamed `Horwich Wanderers' or `Horwich Amateurs' at their ground, the `White Elephant'. Second and third come Rochdale and Preston, though any north west club can be branded as rivals.

HOME SUPPORTERS HATES: Bolton Wanderers