Kevin Blackwell enjoying 'fantastic new energy' at rejuvenated Bury

Manager Kevin Blackwell says Bury will enter the League Two season with a "fantastic new energy" around the club.

but optimism is high following a takeover in May and a large overhaul of the playing staff.

"We've had to sign a lot of players and that will take some integration," Blackwell told BBC Radio Manchester.

"But overall the club is so far removed from last season, I don't think people will recognise it when they turn up."

The former Leeds, Luton and Sheffield United boss continued: "There's a fantastic new energy about Bury.

"The new chairman [Stewart Day] and chief executive [Glenn Thomas] have come in and transformed the place. There's such a buzz about it."

Bury were twice placed under a transfer embargo by the Football League last season after they received short-term loans from the Professional Footballers' Association to help with cashflow problems.

was confirmed in April, at a time when Blackwell was working with a squad of 13 senior players, and shortly after the club had launched an urgent appeal for £1m of investment to keep them in business.

The Shakers have been one of the busiest Football League clubs in the transfer market this summer, adding 13 new faces, including newly-appointed club captain Gareth Roberts.

They have also handed new deals to Euan Holden and Tom Soares, who were among 16 players initially released by Bury at the end of 2012-13.

"When you look at where the club was, it's really about making sure we get the foundations right to give us a good chance to move forward," said Blackwell.

"To be able to create something from nothing is an exciting prospect.

"I had it once before at Leeds when they came out of the Premier League [in 2004]. There was £100m of debts and all the players were sold. We brought 17 or 18 players in, it took us 18 months and we got to the play-off final.

"The first year will be about consolidation and identifying the players that I think can make the push to get us back up again."