BRODIE’S HAPPY TO GO GREEN
Boss joins landlords for fresh start
RICHARD Brodie admits he’s had a rather seamless settling in period at Burscough after leaving local rivals Skelmersdale United for the Green Army this summer.
The former York City and Southport striker made his first foray into management with Skem in September, successfully guiding the Lancashire club away from relegation trouble in Northern Premier Division One West.
However, United fell foul of the FA’s ground grading regulations and were demoted to Step 5 at the end of the campaign.
The ground in question, The Community Stadium, is also home to Burscough, so Brodie is certainly accustomed to his new surroundings!
“It’s definitely terrain that I know because I live in the area and have been going to the ground with Skem all season,” he said.
“Burscough are a club that play a huge part in the community and have a real sense of identity, which is what enticed me in the first place.
“They have reached some heady heights in Non-League before, getting up to Step 2 and there is a long term plan to try and push back up. As a manager that is honestly all you want to hear.”
Hymnsheet
It had been a difficult few months for Brodie, after Skelmersdale were dealt the cruel blow of demotion in the wake of their impressive run to a comfortable mid-table finish in Step 4.
The 35-year-old had been set to stay on at Skem, but he says the stability offered by Burscough is something he simply couldn’t turn down.
“I’m a young manager looking to prove myself and what’s here is fantastic,” added Brodie.
“People could say I’m a hypocrite because I previously said I’d stay on, but it was getting really tough at Skelmersdale.
“There was uncertainty about what was going to happen following the demotion, and it was affecting my home life. I was worrying about what it would do for my career, and I had to think about myself.
“There was a lot of stuff going on behind the scenes there and I just wanted to concentrate on what was happening on the pitch.
“We are all singing from the same hymnsheet here and I’m really excited by what’s to come.”
Burscough have also had their own drama this summer, having initially thought they were set to play in Step 6 next season, following a 21st place finish in North West Counties Premier, only to be granted a last minute reprieve due to their points-per game ratio.
No illusions
As a result, Brodie will now get the opportunity to face his former employers next season.
“I came in before the reprieve was granted so it’s already been a bit of a rollercoaster,” laughed Brodie, who also turned out for Crawley, Fleetwood and Aldershot Town.
“The team struggled last year, and we are under no illusions about the task that lies ahead.
“Money talks at this level and there are at least seven or eight clubs that can throw a big financial weight around. That just adds to the challenge though and I can’t wait to attack it!”