Meteoric rise of NKF Burbage goes on
NKF Burbage have been on some journey since they formed in 2009.
They were not fortunate enough to be given a place at step six or seven from day one, instead entering at the bottom of the Leicester & District League.
Since then the club has gained five promotions, with three of those coming as champions.
When a new committee took control of the club it was decided that to progress they would join the Midland Football League and although some eyebrows were raised when the club took a sideways step to join the league’s setup in division 3, everyone at the club felt it was the right choice.
They certainly have not looked back, winning division 3 last season without losing a game as well as the County Cup and the League Cup competition they were entered into.
Moving into step 7 football and playing in the MFL’s division 2 this season, the club set its targets on nothing more than a top two finish.
Since an early season defeat to Feckenham, Burbage have only dropped six points in the league.
They finished their away campaign with a 1-0 win at Feckenham which ensured a second season where they have gone unbeaten all season away from home.
The team were not content on just league success as they set out on their maiden voyage in the Leicestershire Senior Cup, playing teams from a higher level in 4 of the rounds including the final.
It was a Cup Final to remember if you were in the NKF camp.
As the match against Heather St Johns entered the 96th minute Burbage found themselves 1-0 down, but such was the character of the team they never gave up and with just seconds left on the clock Jake Brown headed home a Coultas cross.
Hill made two top draw saves in the first period of extra time before Brown scored another two to seal his Cup Final hat trick and the club’s first senior cup triumph, Heather’s Shane Benjamin scored a late penalty but Burbage held out to win a hard fought match 3-2.
The treble was sealed with a win against Fairfield on Saturday in the Les James Challenge Cup (report below) while they also have a final place booked in the MFL’s President’s Cup which was due to be played at Boldmere St Michael’s as The Times went to print last night (May 22).
As the weather had been so relentless over the winter and spring months a fixture pile up left just 48 hours between winning the senior cup and hosting Fairfield Villa knowing just a point would be enough to secure promotion and set up some mouth watering derbies next season against local teams Hinckley AFC and Leicester Road.
Despite going 1-0 up Burbage were pegged back and drew the match 1-1, they then entered the Bank Holiday weekend with games on Saturday, Monday and Tuesday and with Smithswood First chasing them hard Burbage knew realistically they needed to chalk up three wins and that they did and without conceding a goal in all three matches, winning 1-0 Saturday, 5-0 Monday and then 1-0 Tuesday.
Again the team would only get a 48 hour break before taking on Moors Academy at home on the Thursday night, now within six points of being crowned league champions,
Moors had played the Monday and the night before but they started the better and played some lovely football.
Burbage were lucky to not be behind when Moors hit the post with a fantastic effort from outside the box.
Second half Burbage upped their game,
Scott Smith AKA Gary Goals scored the only goal of the game to give Burbage another 1-0 win.
All eyes now turned to Earlswood at home on Saturday May 12, an early kick off time of 1pm and three points needed to seal the league championship for the second year on the trot.
Fans wanted an early goal to settle the nerves and Zia obliged giving Burbage the lead,
Matt Burt continued his return with a brace of goals and Whitehurst scored a forth late on,
Earlswood did peg Burbage back at 3-0 but it was a comfortable win that sealed the title with a game to spare.
It set up a good evening as the club held its annual awards dinner at the Sketchley Grange Hotel.
Adam Zia picked up the Supporters Player and Players’ Player of the year awards, with Oliver Bradshaw picking up the Managers Player of the Year award.
Tom Smith took Goal of the Season for his memorable third goal against Hampton early in the season.
The journey for the club continues as they enter the world of step 6 football and they are hoping, (should their application be successful,) to become the first football club from Burbage to represent the village in the FA Vase next season.
The club has added six junior teams to its ranks as they now look to grow the club and provide a place for young aspiring footballers and coaches to develop their skills and continue the success story of the senior team.
The club are running a sponsorship prize draw and with 10 prizes on offer entrants have an excellent chances of winning, each entry is just £250 and individuals and businesses are welcome to enter as many times as they wish.
The club is also offering bespoke sponsorship packages to those individuals and businesses that wish to get involved further than just the prize draw.
If you are interested please contact the club via email on info@nkfburbage. co.uk