Anthony Johnson takes up dream job at Bury as Bernard Morley remains at Radcliffe

Anthony Johnson has been appointed the manager at Bury, taking on his dream job, while long-time colleague Bernard Morley stays in sole charge at Radcliffe.

The announcement came on Wednesday as the lifelong Shakers supporter made the switch from the National League North play-off fighting outfit to the Northern Premier League West Division side.

Bury are currently second in the league, two points off top spot and on the hunt for a back-to-back promotion.

A statement annouced: “Bury Football Club is delighted to announce the appointment of Anthony Johnson as our new first team manager, with immediate effect.

For exclusive stories and all the detailed Non-League news you need, subscribe to The Non-League Paper website, digital edition, or newspaper from as little as 14p a day.

Statement of intent

“This is a statement of intent from the club as we continue to build with purpose, ambition, and pride in the badge.

“Anthony arrives with a reputation forged through hard work, tactical intelligence, and an uncompromising desire to win, qualities that resonate deeply with the values of Bury FC and its supporters.

“Known for creating organised, energetic, and fearless teams, Anthony brings with him a proven ability to get the best out of his players while fostering a strong dressing room culture.

“His sides have consistently been built on togetherness, discipline, and a clear identity on the pitch, exactly the foundations we want to see moving forward.”

Sincere thanks

Tim Lees had been in interim charge at Gigg Lane after a club restructure in December saw Dave McNabb step up into a new head of football operations role.

It was confirmed that he will stay on as assistant manager.

The club added: “We would like to place on record our sincere thanks to Tim Lees for stepping into the role of first team manager on an interim basis.

“Tim, along with Sam Ashton and the rest of the management team have steered the team to unbeaten run of nine games, winning six, with three draws, seeing us into second place in the NPL West.

“Since Tim took on the role in December, he has always been clear with his intentions to return to the role of assistant manager.

“When the opportunity to bring Anthony to the club arose, this was something that was discussed with Tim, and as a collective, we feel is the best for both the club, and Tim.

“We are delighted that Tim will continue in his role as first team assistant manager, ensuring continuity for the squad and the fanbase.”

Honour

Johnson began his managerial career with Morley at Ramsbottom United, the duo earning promotion to the NPL West in 2014 before moving on to Salford City in 2015 following the Class of ’92 takeover.

At Salford, they quickly made their mark, guiding the club from the Northern Premier League Division One North to the National League alongside a memorable FA Cup run.

The duo left Salford in 2018 to take charge at Chester before a stint at Spennymoor Town followed.

Most recently, Johnson and Morley guided Radcliffe to promotion to the National League North in the 2023-24 campaign for the first time in 20 years, and the club currently sits in a play-off spot this season.

Johnson explained how the opportunity to take the helm at Bury came about.

“It’s a real honour to take the job,” he told the club’s YouTube channel. “It came about, as you’re probably all aware, there was an approach made before Christmas for myself and Bernard to Radcliffe, which in Radcliffe’s prerogative they turned down the approach.

“It’s something that weighed heavy on me for the last few weeks.

“Obviously, I saw the announcement that there had been an interim with Tim until the end of the season. I got a phone call Sunday night, explaining the situation and circumstances had changed in terms of the interim manager basically asked me again if we’d be interested in taking the job or having a conversation around what the job looked like.”

An itch

On why he felt now was the right time to take up the role, he added: “The answer was always going to be yes from me, but obviously being a joint manager with Bernard, I had to speak to Bernard about what that looked like.

“A lot of long conversations were had between the pair of us in terms of me feeling it was the right time to take the role and Bernard not feeling like the timing was quite right for him and his reasons are his reasons.

“Obviously unfinished business at Radcliffe and varying things but he’ll speak about that himself.

“From my point of view, I felt it was the right time. There was an itch there, and even Mike, as the owner at Radcliffe, understood it; there was an itch that I needed to scratch.

“There’s no secret that I’m a Bury fan, a proud Bury man, born and bred in the town, went to school in the town. It was something that I suppose, in 2009, when we started managing, it was what I wanted to get to.

“I’ll be honest, I never envisaged managing Bury in the NPL. It was in my mind it’d be League One, League Two, the Championship back when we started, but that’s football events unravelled over the last few years and we are where we are with that.

“From my point of view, it just felt like an opportunity and got to the point where I had to take it.”

Outstanding service

Radcliffe owner Marcus McCabe & chairman Billy Quarmby penned the following statement: “We would like to place on record our sincere thanks to Anthony Johnson as he departs the club to take up the role of first team manager at Bury.

“Anthony has given outstanding service to Radcliffe FC and has played a huge part in the journey we have been on together.

“His commitment, passion and leadership have left a lasting mark on this football club, and while we are naturally sorry to see him go, we fully understand his decision to take up a role at a club that is so close to his heart.

“On behalf of everyone connected with Radcliffe FC, we wish Anthony every success in this next chapter of his career.

“We are also pleased to confirm that Bernard Morley will be staying on and continuing as First Team Manager.

“Bernard will be fully supported by Steve Halford and Luke Clark, and the board has complete confidence in the management team as we move forward.

“Continuity and stability are important for the club, and we believe this group is well placed to build on the strong foundations already in place.”

Bury take on Wythenshawe Town away from home this weekend, whilst Radcliffe are also on their travels, facing Chorley.

READ MORE: Hednesford Town sack Gavin Hurren despite sitting joint-top of NPL Premier Division