A BRIDGE OVER THE TROUBLED WATERS
IT’S no understatement to say Stalybridge Celtic have been up against it this season. Hopes for an EVO-STIK Premier promotion push following relegation from Step 2, were soon dealt a big slice of reality. After winning their opening game against Nantwich, nine defeats in the next ten games followed, a 3-1 victory against Stourbridge the only glimmer of light. But, particularly since the turn of the year, things have really picked up for Steve Burr’s side. Last Saturday’s victory against title chasers Warrington Town was their fourth successive win – and seventh in 2018 – in a run that also included the scalp of leaders Altrincham.
Agendas
I sent Burr a message over the weekend and soon received one back explaining how the club has taken some turning around, but he felt they were finally getting there. On Tuesday afternoon we caught up on the phone so he could explain just how tough it has been at times, but why the former Kidderminster Harriers, Chester and Southport boss has still got that trademark smile on his face. “I actually feel we’ve played well most of the season,” Burr said. “The more experienced ones who have now stepped up – your (Liam) Dickinsons, (Luke) Ashworths, (Ross) Killocks, Matty Wolfendon – have taken the younger ones under their wing because we have got a young team. “The other side of it is the club’s been in freefall probably for the last four or five years. It’s sometimes difficult. People think you can go in, turn things around and you automatically get success. It doesn’t always work like that. “I mean, I’m disappointed because I obviously thought we’d be right up there getting ourselves back up. I found, when I went in, there were one or two with their own hidden agendas. You soon find those people out. “I’ve got a good strong backroom staff behind me, who are very positive. Alex Meecham is doing a great job and then we’ve got a young lad Danny Jean-Yves who also runs the reserves and works at the academy. He does a terrific job keeping me informed on the lads in those teams – and then Fearny (Andy Fearn) who’s been with me years. They are positive lads to have around.” Burr admits he questioned himself when they were on a bad run. Having enjoyed some great days at Stalybridge before leaving for Kidderminster Harriers in 2010, who he took to the
Direction
“When I got offered the job after leaving Southport, people know what I’m like, I always want to work,” he said. “I maybe thought at the time when we were having that bad run that I’d made a mistake coming back. I’ve still got aspirations, obviously, of getting back up to the National League or the National League North. “My contract is up at the end of the season and I’ve not had any discussions with the chairman yet. The club have got to see where they are, because finances are tight, and they might have to look at it themselves. We’ll see. “I’ve met a lot of new people this season and been to a lot of grounds I haven’t been to. I enjoy because I always do – even more when we’re winning. “But there was a point where I maybe thought coming back wasn’t the right thing to do. The people here are the same people who were here when I left for Kidderminster. They were the reason I came back. Rob Gorski, the chairman, Syd White, people like that behind the scenes. They are good people. It’s a good club. “I always wanted to turn the club around and pointing in the right direction for them. If I can do that then I will be more than happy.
Long shot
“It’s been difficult, as I’ve said. We’ve had to pull on a few favours from one or two League clubs to get lads in to help us. And releasing some of the boys who have done well for us was difficult.” Those players were noncontract and had to be let go following the Altrincham win with postponements hitting the club’s cashflow. Earlier this week they were hit with Barnsley recalling goalkeeper Jack Walton, who had been performing well, to cover for injury. For someone who helped unearth talents like Connor Jennings, Jamille Matt and Joe Lolley, Burr isn’t afraid to give youngsters a shot and it will be an opportunity for academy players to take their chance. And Burr says there is a mood in the squad to really hit their stride between now and the end of the campaign. “Maybe one or two thought I’m going in and automatically we’ll be up there,” Burr said. “It doesn’t work like that. I’m glad to say we have steadied it and we are starting to show signs now where we can push in the right direction. “We’re going to try and finish as high as we can and finish strong, but I know there’s a belief in the camp we could maybe gatecrash the play-offs. “It’s a long shot, I know, and because we’re down to 16 players it’s going to be a tall order. “We lost Greg Wilkinson last weekend and Jack going back to Barnsley is a big blow because then you’re using your academy players. But it will give them an opportunity to come in and have a go.”