Hednesford Town make non league legend Steve Burr their new manager and ex-Premier League star Leroy Lita a player/coach.
The hard work starts now with the club currently sitting 21st (second bottom) in the Southern League Premier Central with two points from six games.
Last season they finished 9th, four places below the playoffs, with 54 points from 40 games.
Two weeks ago, Lita was placed in temporary charge of Hednesford following the resignation of manager Keenen Meakin-Richards.
— Hednesford Town FC (@Hednesford_Town) September 12, 2022
CLUB STATEMENT:
Hednesford Town are delighted to announce the appointment of Steve Burr as first team manager.
Burr, 62, is of course a well-known figure to Pitmen fans as a player holding the clubs record for the highest transfer fee the club has paid following his arrival from Macclesfield Town in the early 90’s and having achieved legend status through his goal scoring exploits.
As a manager Steve is one of non-leagues most respected figures, he began his career as a boss at Nuneaton Borough where he was in charge for 3 years before moving to Hucknall Town where he achieved success in his one season in charge winning the northern premier league in 2003/2004.
The opportunity to manage in non-leagues topflight saw Steve take over at troubled Northwich Victoria beginning with a ten point deduction due to the clubs financial problems he guided them to a safe mid table position against the odds, only to have further financial issues mean the club was relegated for non-footballing reasons. Steve then led Northwich back to the top flight winning the conference north (now national league north) the following season where he achieved a mid-table position as well as a semi-final fa trophy appearance. Steve was also appointed assistant manager of England ‘C’ team during this period recognising his superb work at Northwich.
Finally leaving Northwich, Steve was swiftly appointed as manager of Stalybridge Celtic where he took them to the conference North playoff final losing by a single goal to Barrow.
In 2010 Steve joined Kidderminster Harriers in the conference (now national league) where he spent 4 years finishing just outside of the playoffs twice before recording a 2nd placed finish in 2013 losing in the playoffs to Wrexham.
Following his departure in 2014 Steve spent 2 seasons with Chester, 1 with Southport and has brief spells back at Stalybridge and Stafford Rangers before deciding to pass on his knowledge as a number 2 to his former player Josh Gowling at Hereford where he has remained since 2020.
On Steve’s appointment a statement from the board of directors said: “Having Steve Burr back at this club is simply superb, as a club legend Steve knows the place like the back of his hand anyway but as a manager, we are delighted to be able to make an appointment like this, Steve is so well respected as a manager throughout non-league that he is an absolute no brainier to be in charge of this club. We had to be patient of course but to know that Steve wanted to be back at this club is something we are proud of, and we are incredibly excited for the future under Steve. We also give huge thanks to the interim management team of Leroy Lita and Martin Riley, alongside the squad as a whole also, whose professionalism and steady heads, during a period of uncertainty has assisted the squad to be more driven than ever to change recent results. It’s also credit to their hard work behind the scenes, that following discussions between Steve Burr & Leroy Lita, that Leroy joins the coaching staff, adding his wealth of knowledge, experience, drive and passion for results. We’re delighted to have completed this deal and look forward to a bright future.”
Hednesford also recently announced the return of defender, record appearance holder and club legend Ben Bailey.
Goalkeeper Aaron Clayton, defender Mason Birch and full back Mikkel Hirst also signed for the club in recent weeks.
HEREFORD STATEMENT:
We can confirm that following an approach from Hednesford Town, Bulls Assistant Manager, Steve Burr has decided to take up the opportunity to return to first team management with the Pitmen.
Steve leaves on good terms and with our full support. We thank him for his efforts since arriving as Josh Gowlings’ number two in January 2020, and we wish him well for the future as he returns to management.
Hereford FC Chairman, Jon Hale said: “Steve returns to management with our full support. We are sad to see him leave but fully understand the reasons for him wanting to speak with, then accept, Hednesford’s offer. His experience, integrity and professionalism has served Hereford FC so well and I know Josh is grateful to Steve for the time he has been here as assistant. In the short time I’ve known Steve, we’ve enjoyed an excellent relationship and I’m sure that’ll continue if our paths cross again in opposition.”
We hope to confirm a replacement for Steve in the near future.
Fans have their thoughts as Hednesford make non league legend Steve Burr manager and ex-Premier League star Leroy Lita player/coach…
@gue5ty84: I’m delighted with this appointment!!!
@bigbazbailey: Love this
@harrywoolley52: Your gain our Loss…
@OzDelanty_94: Great appointment
@jimmybolts87: Massive loss! Wishing you all the best @stevieburr10 – been fantastic for this club!
@silkmenarmy: Good luck @stevieburr10 at a place you know well of course 🙌 🔵⚪️
@nonleaguesean: Great appointment, best of luck!
@irish_pitman77: This is fantastic news 👍 🎉 a true great while playing for us, a true gent off the field & a fantastic manager 👍 once a Pitman, always a Pitman 👊 #UTP Welcome home Steve 👏
@VikkiJayne80: Happy with this appointment.
@TheNo1JB: YES BURRY!!
@Chopwinsky: Gutted. Good luck Steve.
@LiamKHFC: Great appointment.
@justawannabe123: That’s a big loss.
@guyc_01 (Replying to @HerefordFC): We’re now fucked.
@MikeRawson12: Reads as terrible news for us. All the best Steve.
@Boxy_101: That’s a shock..
Our programme’s always been ahead of it’s time 😉
— Chris Southall (@Cynicscorner) September 12, 2022
You must be logged in to post a comment Login