Paul Wilkinson: Bury appoint Truro City boss as manager

Paul Wilkinson has previously been caretaker manager at Northampton and Grimsby

Ex-Everton striker Paul Wilkinson has been named manager of League One side Bury less than two weeks after signing a two-year deal as Truro City boss.

The 54-year-old was appointed caretaker boss of Truro in March but was unable to save them from relegation from National League South.

Wilkinson started coaching in 2000 and has worked at Leeds United, Grimsby Town, Cardiff City and Northampton.

"Bury is a club with a great history," Wilkinson told the club website.

"I can't wait to get started. I'm determined to drive the club forward in the right direction."

• Bury issue proposal to clear debts

Cash-strapped Bury won promotion from League Two last season despite an increasingly troubled time off the pitch that saw the club face a winding-up petition and left staff and players having payment of their wages delayed.

Ryan Lowe left as manager in June and the Shakers face a 12-point deduction for their return to the third tier of English football after owner Steve Dale put forward a proposal to help clear some of the club's debts.

Unsecured creditors, including HM Revenue & Customs, will be paid 25% of what they are owed.

If approved, the company voluntary arrangement would qualify as an insolvency event under English Football rules, which would see Bury deducted points.

Wilkinson played more than 650 games as a forward in a career that saw him feature for Everton, Nottingham Forest, Watford, Middlesbrough and Barnsley, as well as winning four England Under-21 caps.

His first job in coaching came working with the youth team at Leeds and he has since had two spells in caretaker charge in the English Football League, with Northampton and Grimsby.

General manager Scott Johnson added: "It's such a strong foot forward.

"Paul is a manager with a wealth of experience and is exactly what we need and is required for League One football."