Workington’s latest signing, former Celtic defender Efe Ambrose has been giving a glowing send-off by former club Bury.
They were sad to report that Saturday’s game in the FA Vase was his last for the club.
Manager Dave McNabb said: “I’m absolutely gutted about the situation with Efe. He has been brilliant for the team since he signed and even better off the pitch with me, the staff and the other players. He’s a true gentleman and one of the kindest and most down to earth men I have ever met.
“His love for the game is infectious. During a training session a couple of weeks ago, we ran a session where we had three rolling teams of seven. Efe quickly realised that two teams where a man short which often meant some changeover of bibs as the teams rolled on and off.
“Efe being Efe, wearing a blue bib, quickly grabbed a red bib and a green bib and put them in his pocket so that whenever his team rolled off, he could quickly put on one of the other colours and carry on playing. Not only did this clearly show how much he loves playing the beautiful game but also show his experience and intelligence.
“Unfortunately, despite his desire for the game and how much he has loved his time with Bury a few of the challenges we were aware of when he signed have actually shown to be a bit bigger than anticipated due to some unforeseen elements.
“I can’t thank Efe enough for everything he has done for me and the club in his short spell here and wish him and his family nothing but the best for the future.”
He had arrived at Gigg Lane on a wave of publicity and he became an instant hit with the fans and the wider footballing community.
The former Celtic player, 35, who had gained experience in the Champions League and secured four League titles north of the border as well as international recognition with Nigeria, securing the Africa Cup of Nations in 2013, left Scottish League One side Queen of the South at the end of last season.
He featured in five out of seven pre-season friendlies for Bury and started four games in the competitive campaign, scoring in the 7-1 win at Abbey Hey last week, supplying all those in attendance with his customary back-flip goal celebration.
Continuing to reside in Scotland, Ambrose was regularly travelling to the North West for both training and matches.
Despite a willingness to do this and play in front of the Gigg Lane crowd, this has caught up with earlier training times and the rigours of negotiating late motorway closures effecting the Ambrose family to a point whereby it has become no longer sustainable.
After some open conversations with manager McNabb over the past two weeks to explain this decision, Efe agreed to stay on to assist the club during a busy fixture period.
The game at Maghull in the FA Vase on Saturday was his farewell appearance and he was given a big send-off by the Bury faithful.
Ambrose started along with ex-Reds forward Iyrwah Gooden (who scored in the 3-1 win) but Reuben Jerome was on the bench and neither of the Carrolls – Brad or Bobby – figured in the squad.
