Steve Burr

Summary

Steve Burr (born 12 January 1960) is a Scottish footballer manager and former player who most recently managed Hednesford Town.

Steve Burr
Burr in 2011
Personal information
Date of birth (1960-01-12) 12 January 1960 (age 64)
Position(s) Striker
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1981–1984 Stafford Rangers 114 (37)
1984–1991 Macclesfield Town 248 (134)
1991–1993 Hednesford Town
1993 Stafford Rangers
1993–1994 Halifax Town 8 (0)
1994–1995 Hednesford Town
1995–1996 Macclesfield Town 3 (2)
1996 Winsford United
1996–1998 Nuneaton Borough 6 (2)
Managerial career
2000–2003 Nuneaton Borough
2003–2004 Hucknall Town
2004–2007 Northwich Victoria
2005– England C (assistant)
2007–2010 Stalybridge Celtic
2010–2014 Kidderminster Harriers
2014–2016 Chester
2016–2017 Southport
2017–2018 Stalybridge Celtic
2018 Stafford Rangers
2020–2022 Hereford (assistant)
2022 Hednesford Town
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Playing career edit

Steve Burr began his football career as a player with Stafford Rangers but it was with a summer 1984 move to Macclesfield Town that he really started to make a name for himself. He was the Silkmen's leading goal scorer as they finished runners-up to Rangers in the Northern Premier League Premier Division, and also scored their first ever goal in the Football Conference after helping them to promotion up to non-league's top tier.

Burr is still highly thought of at Macclesfield, where he was part of one of their most successful periods as a club. His spell went on to include two FA Trophy Final appearances. In 1990 Alex Ferguson, brought a Manchester United team to Moss Rose to celebrate Burr's testimonial year.[citation needed]

Managerial career edit

Nuneaton Borough and Hucknall Town edit

Burr began his managerial career at Nuneaton Borough, where he was originally assistant to Brendan Phillips before taking over as manager when Phillips was sacked in 2000.[1] He left Nuneaton after their relegation from the Football Conference at the end of the 2002–03 season, and moved on to become manager of Hucknall Town. He achieved virtually instant success, cruising to the Northern Premier League Premier Division title in his sole season at the club in 2003–04.

Northwich Victoria edit

The lure of management higher up the pyramid took Burr into the Conference with Northwich Victoria at that stage, and once again he made a serious impact - although this time on a different scale. Almost immediately, he was dealt a huge blow with a ten-point deduction, which threatened the Vics' survival. Against all odds, the side achieved what was considered the impossible by battling to survival on the pitch - only for 'non football' issues to heartbreakingly see them relegated once again.

That would have been enough of a hammer blow to anyone's managerial career and progress, but Burr hardly let the demotion affect him, as he swiftly led Northwich straight back to the Conference by winning the Conference North Championship. Along the way, he took his side to the Third Round of the FA Cup and a dream date with Premier League side Sunderland A.F.C, and was voted Manager of the Season. The season had begun well with Alex Ferguson yet again playing a part in Burr's career by bringing a Manchester United side to Northwich to celebrate the opening of their new ground, the Victoria Stadium.

As Northwich found themselves submerged with off-field problems, Burr still managed to work wonders with Northwich in the Conference in 2006/07 - leading them to a safe, mid-table position as well as leading them to the FA Trophy semi-final - a run that was ended by Kidderminster Harriers who went on to the final, the first to be played at the newly refurbished Wembley Stadium.

England C edit

In November 2005, Burr was appointed assistant manager to Paul Fairclough as part of the England C managerial team. His first game resulted in a 2–0 victory over Belgium. From 2006, under Fairclough's and Burr's guidance, England C recorded 19 wins, 7 draws and suffered 4 defeats.

Stalybridge Celtic edit

Burr finally left troubled Vics that summer and became manager of Stalybridge Celtic.

Burr took his new side all the way to the Conference North play-off Final in 2008, only to be beaten by a single goal as Barrow went on to claim promotion to the Conference National.

Kidderminster Harriers edit

His appointment as Kidderminster Harriers manager on a 2+12-year contract in January 2010 saw him once again have the opportunity to have a crack at management in the Conference National. He had a magnificent start at Aggborough with a 4-1 thrashing of Grays Athletic[2] on his home début. This was the first game of an 8-game unbeaten streak as his side made an unlikely bid for the play-offs and progressed to the semi-finals of the FA Trophy. This earned him the division's Manager of the Month[3] title for February 2010 but this was to be the last accolade of the season for Burr and the Harriers as they went out of the FA Trophy to eventual finalists and Conference champions, Stevenage Borough, and a drop in form saw them finish 13th in the league.

In March 2011 Kidderminster refused fellow Conference side Grimsby Town permission to talk to Burr about the possibility of him becoming the next Mariners manager. Burr followed this up by stating that he was happy to stay at Kidderminster.[4] This was clarified when Burr and assistant Gary Whild both signed contract extensions to the end of the 2013–14 season.[5] The Harriers went on to finish sixth in the Conference, one place outside the play-offs,[citation needed] after slipping to defeats late in the season at home to Darlington[6] and away to Rushden & Diamonds[7] and suffering a points deduction after financial problems off the field.

In 2013, Burr received the Conference Premier Manager of the Month[8] award for February after steering his side to five straight wins in five matches. Kidderminster conceded just three goals in the month and found the net no less than 12 times. The award was Burr's second of the season having previously been named the Manager of the Month for December 2012. February's award was the culmination of a run 15 wins in 17 league games.

After a thrilling last day of the season that saw Kiddy miss out on automatic promotion by two points the club failed to get past Wrexham in the Play-offs. Despite this Burr was named the Conference Premier Manager of the Season after recording a better away record than title-winning manager Mansfield's Paul Cox.

On 1 November 2013, it was announced that Steve had been given permission to speak with Forest Green Rovers in relation to the vacant managerial role at that club. He turned down the offer, and elected to stay at the Harriers.

On 7 January 2014, it became public knowledge that Steve Burr had been removed from his post as manager of Kidderminster Harriers. Just two days later the club announced he was to be replaced by Andy Thorn formerly manager of Coventry City.

Chester edit

On 18 January 2014, Chester announced Burr as their new full-time manager until the end of the season with an option to extend the deal into the following season.[9]

Burr was sacked by Chester on 7 April 2016.[10]

Southport edit

Burr was announced as the new manager of Southport on 8 September 2016. A club statement on 30 January 2017 stated that Burr had been relieved of his duties.[11]

Stalybridge Celtic and Stafford Rangers edit

In February 2017, Burr took over at Staybridge Celtic before moving on to Stafford Rangers 15 months later. He resigned from the post in December 2018.

At Fleetwood Town as a scout edit

In July, 2019, Burr was appointed as Fleetwood's Senior Club Scout. At the time he said: "I have followed the non-league scene for a very long time now and for me, this was the right moment for me to step into this new role. I have come up against Fleetwood Town before, and it's unbelievable where they have come from in such a short space of time.

"After speaking to Chairman Andy Pilley, CEO Steve Curwood, and a number of other staff, it helped me make my mind up. This is a fantastic club and I am looking forward to getting started.

He added: "Everybody is looking for that next Jamie Vardy after that success story."[12]

Hereford edit

On 24 January 2020, Burr was announced as the interim assistant manager of National League North team Hereford following the appointment of Josh Gowling. Gowling played under Burr at Kidderminster Harriers.

On 12 June 2020, Burr was confirmed as Hereford’s permanent assistant manager under Gowling.

Hednesford Town edit

On 12 September 2022, Burr left Hereford to return to first-team management with Hednesford Town.[13] After just three months in charge, and with the club level on points at the bottom of the Southern League Premier Central, he was sacked by the Pitmen on 12 December 2022.[14]

Managerial statistics edit

As of match played 8 January 2024
Managerial record by team and tenure
Team From To Record Ref
P W D L Win %
Stalybridge Celtic 30 May 2007 21 January 2010 125 64 21 40 051.2 [15][16][17][18]
Kidderminster Harriers 21 January 2010 7 January 2014 205 96 51 58 046.8 [19][20][21]
Chester 18 January 2014 7 April 2016 125 45 26 54 036.0 [9][22]
Southport 8 September 2016 30 January 2017 28 10 6 12 035.7 [23]
Stalybridge Celtic 8 February 2017 1 May 2018 73 24 9 40 032.9 [24][25]
Stafford Rangers 3 May 2018 28 December 2018 31 9 8 14 029.0 [26]
Hednesford Town 12 September 2022 12 December 2022 16 3 5 8 018.8 [27]
Total 603 251 126 226 041.6

References edit

  1. ^ Luscombe, Richard (16 October 2000). "Nationwide Conference: Burr in the frame at Nuneaton". The Daily Telegraph. London. Retrieved 20 March 2014.
  2. ^ "Kidderminster 4-1 Grays Athletic". Kidderminster Harriers FC. Retrieved 26 January 2010.
  3. ^ "Burr is BSP Manager of the Month February 2010". Kidderminster Harriers FC. Retrieved 2 March 2010.
  4. ^ http://www.thisisgrimsby.co.uk/sport/Burr-happy-Harriers/article-3299820-detail/article.html [dead link]
  5. ^ "Burr signs new Kidderminster deal". BBC News. 23 March 2011.
  6. ^ Maiden, Phil (19 April 2011). "Kidderminster 1-2 Darlington". BBC News.
  7. ^ "Rushden & D 2-1 Kidderminster". BBC News. 25 April 2011.
  8. ^ "BlueSq Premier Latest news on the new Blue Square Premier, North and South season | Burr scoops February manager award". www.bluesqfootball.com. Archived from the original on 5 March 2013.
  9. ^ a b "Steve Burr: Chester appoint ex-Kidderminster boss as manager". BBC Sport. 18 January 2014. Retrieved 18 January 2016.
  10. ^ http://www.chesterfc.com/news/article/statement-steve-burr-3048096.aspx [dead link]
  11. ^ "STATEMENT | Burr Departs Southport". 30 January 2017.
  12. ^ "Burr: "I'm delighted to be part of this fantastic football club"".
  13. ^ "PITMEN APPOINT BURR AS FIRST TEAM MANAGER & LITA AS PLAYER/COACH".
  14. ^ "Pitmen axe manager Steve Burr after just three months".
  15. ^ https://www.stalybridgeceltic.co.uk/play.php?code=BURRS
  16. ^ https://www.stalybridgeceltic.co.uk/res.php?year=2008
  17. ^ https://www.stalybridgeceltic.co.uk/res.php?year=2009
  18. ^ https://www.stalybridgeceltic.co.uk/apps.php?year=2010
  19. ^ "Kidderminster Harriers name Steve Burr as new manager". BBC Sport. 21 January 2010. Retrieved 18 January 2016.
  20. ^ "Results/matches: 2009/10". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 18 January 2016.
  21. ^ "Managers: Steve Burr". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 18 January 2016.
  22. ^ "Fixtures: 2013/14". Unofficial Chester FC website. Retrieved 18 January 2016.
    "Fixtures: 2014/15". Unofficial Chester FC website. Retrieved 18 January 2016.
    "Fixtures: 2015/16". Unofficial Chester FC website. Retrieved 18 January 2016.
  23. ^ https://southportfc.net/all-matches/
  24. ^ https://www.stalybridgeceltic.co.uk/res.php?year=2017
  25. ^ https://www.stalybridgeceltic.co.uk/res.php?year=2018
  26. ^ https://www.thenpl.co.uk/archive7720-match-info/results/519801/2018-08
  27. ^ https://www.hednesfordtownfc.com/fixtures

External links edit

  • Steve Burr management career statistics at Soccerbase