Pitchero Non League

Andy Morrell

....club Wrexham's board of directors.

Don Bircham, acting chief executive and football board director, revealed that a request by League One side Bury to speak to player-boss Morrell, who led Wrexham to last season's play-offs after finishing in second place with a club record 98 points, was rejected earlier this month.

Morrell, under contract until the summer of 2014, also reiterated his commitment to helping Wrexham win promotion back to the Football League.

"Bury asked our permission to speak to Andy and we said no," said Bircham. "Myself and director Barry Horne spoke to Andy and he said he was not at all interested - the conversation lasted all of about three minutes. We said Bury had approached us. We were not letting them talk to him, he is contracted here and we were delighted with his response. Andy said he has got a big job to do here and wants to manage Wrexham, and also wants to continue playing which was not an option at Bury. We were delighted Andy felt the same way as us and will continue to work hard to get Wrexham back to where we belong."

Bury began the search for a new manager after Richie Barker was appointed Crawley Town Manager on 7th August and have placed Peter Shirtliff in temporary charge.

Bircham admitted it was no surprise that Morrell, who spent two seasons at Bury before joining Wrexham for a second spell in June 2010, was on the radar of other clubs after impressing in his first managerial post.

"Andy has got connections at Bury so it probably wasn't a surprise and obviously he has put his name on the map, which is not a bad thing," said Bircham. "But it is buisness as usual...onwards and upwards."

Morrell was installed as manager initially on a temporary basis, when Dean Saunders left for Doncaster Rovers last September and the 37-year-old said it was pleasing to hear another club has taken notice of his progress but insists he was going nowhere.

"It`s always nice for people to be keen and talking about you," said Morrell. "You must be doing something right. But I am under contract and want to stay here. I have only been in the job a day or two it seems and I have got unfinished buisness - I am not looking to go anywhere."

On not getting the chance to speak to Bury, Morrell continued: "Bury tried to make contact, the club said no and they don't want me to go so that's decision made. There's nothing to talk about and thats fine. I have got a job here, a tough job but hopefully we are on the way to doing okay."

Meanwhile, Morrell, who has been linked with Fleetwood Town midfielder Danny Rose but is also looking to strengthen his squad in other positions, has been scuppered in his attempts to bring in one new face before the transfer window shuts on Friday.

"The striker I was trying to get has gone somewhere else," said Morrell. "I thought I was close and it is a bit annoying so it is back to another couple of targets and see what's happening."

Tags: News | Wrexham

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