Bigger and better things to come for Burnham, says Shone

Paul Shone, the Burnham FC manager, has said the people now in charge at the club, have the energy and enthusiasm to drive it on to bigger and better things.

A brighter future looks in store for the Blues, who are facing up to a season in the Hellenic League Division 1 East following last season’s demotion.

But, there is fresh optimism that the Blues finally have their house in order and will start moving in the right direction again, bringing an end to almost half a decade of failure and regression.

Nas Bashir, Glenn Skivington and Tristan Lewis have taken over and are ushering in a new, hopefully successful, era for the club.

Things have gone well so far in pre-season too.

The Blues have beaten Eversley and California 3-0 and also enjoyed their learning curve against Southern Premier Division Basingstoke Town, who beat them 6-0.

On Saturday they’ll welcome Maidenhead United to The Gore for an 11am kick-off.

“Things have gone well for us in pre-season,” said Shone.

“We beat Eversley who are a side at our level, and the Basingstoke game was a good learning experience for us. Pre-season is all about getting the team to gel and improving fitness.

“Off the field the clubhouse has been revamped and smartened up.

“It was in need of a facelift. The people here before were good, football people, who had the club at their heart, but they were the wrong age to take on projects like that.

“The people in charge now have the energy and enthusiasm for it.

“Everything is new and they’ve also put money into the pitch to ensure we have the best possible playing surface. We’ll have an Allied Counties Youth team this season and there are plans to bring in a u23s reserve side next summer.

“The players can use these sides as a stepping stone, and if they’re good enough they’ll play for me in the first team.”