Walsall boss Darrell Clarke expresses his sadness for Bury

And the 41-year-old hopes other sides in financial difficulty take note – with the manager believing the Saddlers should be used as blueprint for how to run a club.

Financially stricken Bury lost their place in the EFL this week after a proposed takeover by C&N Sporting Risk fell through – meaning they were unable to pay their creditors.

“What’s happened at Bury is incredibly sad,” Clarke said.

“And the people that are hurting are the staff and the fans. They have lost their football club.

“Football clubs like Bury are community football clubs so I’m very saddened by that.

“It’s been known in the footballing world for a good few years now that the amount of money they have been paying on wages has been ridiculous.

“And the management buck stops at the top.

“That for me, is somewhere this football club deserves massive credit.

“It doesn’t lose money. It lives within its means despite operating in a world where everyone is an expert and expects you to sign Messi and Ronaldo for £500 a week.

“I think a lot can be learnt from Walsall when it comes to how you run a club in the right way.”

Clarke says while he is in charge of Walsall he will spend the club’s money as if it’s his own.

“You have to make sure you don’t get yourself in trouble,” he continued.

“Like Bury, we are a community club. We want to build a better relationship with supporters.

“But we also want to make sure we are doing things sensibly and that will continue while I am manager.

“I will treat the club’s money as if it is my money. And we will make sure every penny we spend is accounted for.”

Meanwhile, Clarke has confirmed he still wants to add a striker and a winger to his ranks before the transfer window closes on Monday.

The boss previously said he hoped to make additions before tomorrow’s clash against Grimsby.

But any player would have to be signed by noon today to feature against the Mariners.

“There will be a couple in before the end of the window,” he added. “One will be a centre-forward and one will be a wide player.”