Nicky Adams has announced his retirement from football.
Adams has had a 22-year football career and will hang up his boots at the end of the season to take up a full-time coaching role.
He returned to Gigg Lane in December to take up a fourth stint with the club.
The 38-year-old began his footballing career with the Shakers, after coming through the club’s youth setup in the early 2000s.
He made his first team debut in October 2005 in a 1-0 win against Darlington, in what was a debut not only for him but the first game in charge for the then manager, Chris Casper.
Nicky scored the only goal of the game, which ended up being the first of 14 in his first spell at the club.
His abilities were noticed by a host of clubs and his first spell at Gigg Lane came to a close with a move to League One-side Leicester City in 2008.
He made his first return in May 2014 following spells at Brentford, Rochdale, Crawley Town and Rotherham United. This second stint only lasted a season, but his first promotion as a Shaker came with it, earning a top-three spot on the last day of the 2014/15 season at Tranmere.
Adams’ third spell began in the summer of 2018 when he joined a newly-relegated League Two side under the stewardship of club legend Ryan Lowe.
Nicky was the captain, leading by example and despite fantastic displays on the pitch, and another promotion to League One, (again at Tranmere), turmoil off the pitch spiralled the Shakers supporters into despair.
Moving on again, he headed back to Northampton for a second spell, before returning north to Boundary Park and Oldham Athletic. Then joining Radcliffe and helped guide them to promotion last season as Boro hit the National League North for the first time.
He reached 100 appearances for Boro before his departure in December.
Since joining the Shakers again, he’s made 17 appearances, taking his total to over 200 for the club.
Speaking to buryfc.co.uk, Adams said: “I think it’s perfect timing for me, I’m learning the coaching side of it. I’ve been doing that for the last few years, and I’ve got a big opportunity to go and do that full-time now.
“I came here at 16 years old; I’ve come back a few times now, I’ve played over 200 games for the football club, I don’t need to tell anyone what it means to me.
“I’ve had some unbelievable times here, and I’ll be forever grateful to this football club, which gave me the opportunity to go and be a professional footballer and go on the journey that I’ve been on. I’m forever grateful for that.”
Manager, Dave McNabb added: “I’m not really sure how to put into words the impact that Nicky has had on me and this group since he walked back through the door in December.
“His legendary status at this football club is well-known and documented. I had heard a lot about good things about his character and his personality through mutual friends and people within the game so I knew he was going to be a good lad and have a positive impact in the dressing room. Even with this knowledge, never did an expect to meet such an honest and caring man with enormous levels of integrity and with such high standard and principles.
“He’s a leader amongst men. When he talks, people listen. He gets the best out of others. He is trusted and respected by everyone. He drives positive relationships within the group. He is the glue that holds things together.
“I’m proud to have brought him back to HIS football club, I’m proud to have played a very small part in his illustrious career but most of all, I’m proud to be able to call him a friend.
“Good luck Nicky, you’re a legend.”