Mudge aims to take rebuilt Blues into top six

Major rebuilding has taken place at Burnham during the summer as manager Dave Mudge set about revitalising his side.

Seven new players has arrived through the turnstiles at The Gore to bolster the Southern League club’s ambition of promotion, while four have headed for the exit door.

Mudge has secured a major coup with one of his new signings in the form of former Chelsea Reserves player Ben Hudell, who has joined the club as a free agent.

“Gianluca Viali gave him a contract at Chelsea so he’s a good standard,” confirmed Mudge. “If you get offered a pro contract by a Premiership club then you’ve got something about you!

“At Burnham we offer him stability and he’s an exciting prospect for us.
“He’ll be in the squad for Saturday. If we can get him fit then he’ll be a big player for us.”

Joining Hudell through the door is Cookham Dean striker Jamie Handscombe, a long-term target of Mudge.

“I’ve been chasing Jamie for three years,” said the Blues boss. “I’m expecting big things from him.”

Last season, Mudge had to call on his reserve and youth team players with increasing frequency as his first team squad suffered injuries or left the club. This year he is hoping to avoid a similar situation and has ensured that there is back up in all departments at The Gore.

“We’ve four strikers now and have strength in depth,” said Mudge.

“We’ve gone with local lads and young players. A club the size of ours should be doing that. We’re not a big spending Conference team.

“We are a very young squad but an exciting one. We’ve rebuilt the side and on paper it’s stronger than last year.”

After getting off to a perfect start last season and going on a 13 game unbeaten run which put the Blues on top of the league, Mudge is hoping for more of the same and has targeted a top six finish.

He said: “I’m aiming for the top six, that would be a success. But first we have to make sure we’re safe and get at least 32 points.”

Ahead of the opening day game with local rivals Slough Town, Mudge refused to build up the significance of an encounter with his ex-assistant manager Derek Sweetman, now at the Rebels’ helm.

He said: “It’s just another of agme football in the league. It’s got added spice because it’s a local derby but it’s one of 38 games.”