Former Blues midfielder Cole Skuse has been named the manager of Isthmian League North side Bury Town having retired from professional football at the end of his Colchester United contract.

Skuse was with Town between July 2013 and the summer of 2021, making 268 starts and 10 sub appearances and scoring twice.

The 37-year-old, who started his career with hometown club Bristol City, has spent the last two seasons with the U’s but has now opted to hang up his boots.

The midfielder has also been coaching at Ipswich’s St Joseph’s College and on Wednesday was at Stoke City's Bet365 Stadium to see their women's team become the ESFA U18 Women’s Super League Final Champions.

Skuse told the West Suffolk club’s official website: “I am really looking to forward to joining Bury Town and meeting the players and staff.

“Having left Colchester United at the end of my contract, I am now ready to start my first job in management and excited to get started.

“The planning for the new season starts now and I will be speaking to all the current players in the coming weeks and we will also be sitting down to identify new targets. I look forward to meeting all the supporters at the pre-season friendlies.”

Bury Town chairman Russell Ward added: “After a long process we are delighted that Cole has accepted our offer to become our new manager.

“This will be Cole's first managerial appointment and I know that he is keen to get started and we look forward to working with him.

“There is a lot of potential here and the board feel that appointing someone with the professional experience that Cole has will benefit the whole club.”

Ex-Blues striker Alan Lee, now a director at Bury, continued: “This has been a long appointment process but I am very pleased with the outcome.

“I know Cole is excited to get started in management and in my view this is a great place for him to start.

“I know our supporters will be excited ahead of the new season. From our initial discussions I knew that he was the right fit for the job here and we are ready to support him fully to help achieve success for the club in the coming years.”

Former Stowmarket Town manager Paul Musgrove has been named Skuse's assistant.

Photo: TWTD

Ipswichbusiness added 10:18 - May 12 I wish him all the best in his new job.
12

baxterbasics added 10:44 - May 12 I was there when Skuse scored!
11

Jugsy added 11:24 - May 12 Hope he taps into our youth team and helps nurture their talent. Can see him being a great coach.
2

Linkboy13 added 11:57 - May 12 Great scoop for Bury didn't say if he was going to play at all. When he first joined Town he lived very close to me and found him a downed to earth and friendly guy so i wish him all the best in his new job.
4

Monkey_Blue added 12:21 - May 12 All the best. Skuse was a great servant to the club in a difficult era. I'll be keeping an eye on Bury's results from now on.
6

Orraman added 13:18 - May 12 I was always an admirer of Cole during his time at Town and was constantly impressed by his ability to intercept opponents passes. He stopped innumerable counter attacks by this ability and was never afraid to go into a tackle. I too was there when he scored!
5

Radlett_blue added 13:53 - May 12 All we need now is for Skuse to appoint Jonathan Douglas as his assistant!
1

Saxonblue74 added 14:33 - May 12 Such a professional approach to his career on the pitch. With that same attitude toward management I'm sure he'll do well. Good luck Cole👍
7

leftie1972 added 15:07 - May 12 All the best to him, fantastic ambassador to our club and football in general.
8

cookra added 15:14 - May 12 Lets hope Bury want to score screamers only pass side ways run around lots and go unsung
0

chopra777 added 15:28 - May 12 He never really let Town down before the clear out. Too old to move forward. Just wasn't on Cook's list. PC did well at demolition man and without that we would not have got today's squad and promotion. Skuse will make a good manager. He will be in the EFL in due course. Good luck for the future.
4

Nomore4 added 16:09 - May 12 Vice captain of the infamous cosy club……who,s midfield play sent me to sleep on many occasion.
-6

Bert added 16:35 - May 12 He never got any credit for his blocking and interceptions partly because he rarely moved the ball forward. A decent guy who with Lee deserves to do well with Bury.
3

Westy added 16:58 - May 12 Love it. Good luck Cole.
2

Steve_ITFC_Sweden added 17:34 - May 12 Thoroughly decent bloke and a good defensive midfielder. Unfortunately, not able to contribute greatly to the attacking side of the game, but that was probably not all his fault in a team that wasn't really gelling effectively. Wish him all the best. Deserves some success.
3

Nomore4 added 18:15 - May 12 Steve he wasn't with us for 6 months. Like Fraser who got bored of the gelling process. Nearly 8 years and close to 300 appearances for Skuse.
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