Bury’s former Everton FC starlet Steven Schumacher looking forward to his ex-club’s visit

Jul 15 2011 by Our Correspondent, Liverpool Echo

EX-EVERTON wonder-kid Steven Schumacher is looking forward to facing his former club at Gigg Lane tonight.

Schumacher, now 27, skippered Bury to promotion last season but started his career at Goodison Park where he was captain of the England Under-19s side.

Although he was unable to make a first team breakthrough at the Blues, the Kirkby-born midfield has carved out a good career for himself in the lower divisions with Bradford, Crewe and now Bury.

Schumacher (right) admits that tonight’s game will be special for both him and the rest of the Shakers’ Merseyside contingent.

He said: “As well as myself, there’s Ryan Lowe and the former Everton defender Mark Hughes.

“There’s some good Scouse blood throughout the team and we all travel in together to save on petrol!

“We also had Robbie Fowler in for a few weeks at the back end of last season.

“The Everton game should be a decent test for us.

“I know a few of the lads like Leighton Baines from Kirkby plus some of the long-serving players like Tony Hibbert and Ossie (Leon Osman).”

Bury were promoted to League One last season despite losing manager Alan Knill to Scunthorpe at the end of March.

Knill was replaced by former youth team boss Richie Barker who led them up with six consecutive victories.

Schumacher said: “It was a good season all round.

“The football we played was as good as anyone in that division.

“When Alan left, Richie stepped in and steadied the ship and kept us going. The transition went pretty smoothly and we were able to finish the job.”