Is it a witch? BURNHaM!!!!

[ron6632]

Just had this news

Our terracing is being converted to seating, all to comply with League Requirements.

We move to the 15000 seater Elm Park in Reading while the work is carried out.

[deltablue]

Good luck in the championship.

[ron6632]

Season review

An absolutely incredible season. Up until around Christmas we were unplayable, resulting in a 40 match unbeaten run (including 8 games from last season), with a quite incredible run to the Semi Final of the Carling Cup. A cup filled January nearly cost us with games being moved left right and centre through a combination of cup replays and weather. At one point we had 5 games in hand over the league which really started to take its toll in April. Injuries and fatigue, especially through my defence, looked like it was going to cost us the title as we went on a run of 7 games without a win - our second ever worst run! Our early form means though that everything is still in our own hands with three games left. 2 wins and a final day draw are enough to lift the title, although we do get a huge helping hand from Doncaster on the last day, beating Derby at home as we win the league by a single point.

On top of this, we manage to defend the Johnstone's Paint Trophy and win the Local association trophy again to make it a treble season. Add to this the Semi-Final with Man City and this season will take some beating for the club.

League 1 - Champions. I say this every season, but way beyond expectations. Next year will be tough. Honest

Carling Cup - Semi Final. Brilliant run, and in the end we give Man City a bit of a fright. So close to the final

FA Cup - 3rd Round. Out on a replay with Leeds. A blessing in disguise as our fixture backlog was getting ridiculous

JPT - Winners. Third consecutive appearance in the final, second consecutive win. Revenge for our defeat by Hull 2 seasons ago.

Diddy Cup - Winners. Nuff said.

Key Players

Peter Crook - GK kept 17 clean sheets in the league. Generally solid but did have the odd off game. Vital to the defence

Michael White - At 23, the Irish CB has his best years ahead of him. Immense at the back and when injured or suspended the defence struggled without him.

Sean Duffy - Whites partner in crime is only 21 but just as important to the defence as White. Super partnership at the back, although he did struggle a little when White was not playing. His second full season for the club.

Florian Madlmayr - The Austrian was running on empty at the end of the season, clocking up 53 appearances for the club. Unspectacular, steady and consistent. Hugely important member of the side. Will probably lose him in the close season as I can't afford to renew his contract. Watch this space.

Derek Tong - His first full season of football for the ex Liverpool youngster. 16 assists from the right wing, and he looks like he will develop into something special. May struggle to keep hold of him.

Niki Klopcic - Solid and dependable, the beating heart of the team. We don't perform when he is unavailable. Now capped 20 times for Slovenia.

Barry Milne - 11 assists and 3 goals from the midfielder who likes to run at defences. Only 23 and developing well, although he is prone to bouts of inconsistency and seems to get upset quite easily.

Kevin Sainte-Luce - One of the older members of the squad at 28. The Frenchman has performed well above my expectations. 10 league goals and 6 assists for the winger who grew into the side after a slow start.

Shane Cramp - Record appearances and record scorer. 24 goals in all competitions is a fine haul for a player that has scored goals from level 8 up to level 3. Had a bit of a disappointing 2nd half to the season, but popped up with some vital goals. Very much overshadowed by….

James Baxter - What a player. 142 goals in 223 league appearances. 44 in all competitions with 33 in the league - he will surely overtake Shane Cramp as the record goalscorer for the club. And still only 23, homegrown talent at its best. Wow

Records

Top Scorer - Jason Baxter 44

Top League Scorer - Jason Baxter 33 - Wins the League 1 golden boot

Most Assists - Lewis Hendry 19

Average Rating - Jason Baxter 7.41

Player of the Year - Jason Baxter

League Competition 
-------------------------------------------
2011/12  Evo-Stik Southern D1 C - 10th   |
2012/13  Evo-Stik Southern D1 C - 4th    | Lost in Playoff S/F
2013/14  Evo-Stik Northern D1 S - 1st    | Champions - Promoted to Evo-Stik Southern Prem
2014/15  Evo-Stik Southern Premier - 1st | Champions - Promoted to BSS
2015/16  Blue Square South - 9th         |
2016/17  Blue Square South - 2nd         | Promoted to BSP via Playoffs
2017/18  Blue Square Prem - 6th          |
2018/19  Blue Square Prem - 1st          | Champions - Promoted to League 2
2019/20  League 2 - 9th                  |
2020/21  League 2 - 1st                  | Champions - Promoted to League 1
2021/22  League 1 - 1st                  | Champions - Promoted to Championship

Cups
---------------------------------
FA Cup
---------------------------------
2011/12 - 1st Qualifying Round v Congleton
2012/13 - 4th Qualifying Round v Corby
2013/14 - 2nd Qualifying Round v Eastbourne Boro
2014/15 - 2nd Qualifying Round v Staines
2015/16 - 4th Qualifying Round v Chippenham
2016/17 - 2nd Round v Cheltenham
2017/18 - 3rd Round Replay v Middlesbrough
2018/19 - 1st Round v Norwich City
2019/20 - 3rd Round Replay v Nottingham Forest
2020/21 - 3rd Round v Southampton
2021/22 - 3rd Round Replay v Leeds Utd

Carling Cup
---------------------------------
2019/20 - 1st Round v Aldershot
2020/21 - 2nd Round v Stoke
2021/22 - Semi Final v Manchester City

JPT
---------------------------------
2019/20 - Runners Up v Hull City
2020/21 - Winners v York City
2021/22 - Winners v Hull City

[ron6632]

Good luck in the championship.

Cheers. I think I'll need it. We are skint with a few contracts running out. Could be a long hard season ahead to look forward to

As long as I can hang on to Baxter though we should be alright

[Lenzar]

I am surprised that Baxter didn't get into the U21s at some point, given the game picks regens for the younger sides on potential.

[Nobby_McDonald]

Great job reaching the Championship.

Is Elm Park even still in existance?

[ron6632]

Great job reaching the Championship.

Is Elm Park even still in existance?

I have no idea. The wikipedia page is a bit vague, but I can only assume that it is now a Tesco or something similar.

Season 12 Preview - Season 2022/23

Another huge step in my quest to get Burnham into the Premier League, although this step might turn out to be one of the most difficult to negotiate. Financially we are leaching money away rapidly, and with the redevelopment of Burnham Stadium (making it all seater) this has only added to the debt. The silver lining is our temporary home at Elm Park, a 15000 all seater stadium that probably shouldn't exist (any Reading fans know - it must be a Tesco's by now after Reading moved to the Madjeski). Anyway, we might be able to pick up a few large gates to help us before we move back to our 5000 capacity home.

With the club having almost always been in the red, I have been unable to upgrade our training facilities, something that is very unlikely to happen until we start making money. Fairly basic and Minimal youth facilities just don't cut it at this level.

Only 4 players come in, I am generally happy with my squad, but a number of fringe and squad players leave. I am gambling in Central Defence, with only one quality back up player in Stewart, but the rest of the squad has some good depth to it, hopefully enough to see us avoid relegation and get a foothold in the Championship.

Players In

Ashley Gorman - Winger who can play on either wing. Youngster signed from Dundee Utd

Octavio Martinich - Argentinian striker with a good scoring record in Spain, albeit from the lower leagues. Exciting back up for Cramp and Baxter - at 27 one of the oldest in the squad!

Jan Krog - Danish youngster who looks like he will be a star. Will get game time off the bench

Aris Esposito - Youngster signed on a free from Juventus where he hadn't managed to break into the first team. Signs that we have made huge progress as a club.

Players Out

Steven Evans - Hadn't really performed. Moved on to free up the wage bill

Derek Kehoe - Had injury problems and never really established himself last season. Too many player in front of him now so it was time to move on at the end of his contract

Glyn Lang - Fringe player who was never really going to have a future at the club

Chris Duguid - Had big hopes for this player. Spent last season on loan at Dundee in the SPL and was poor so was shown the door.

Mark Adamson - Had talent but never performed in the side. With a class midfield he was awalys going to struggle to establish himself, so moved on.

Donald Park - Again never perfumed when given the chance and complained about not being picked. Sainte-Luce was first choice and performing well so there was no more room for Park who was picking up a big wage.

Stefan White - Striker and former Youth player released. Not good enough for the club

Ian Wilson - Home grown talent who had surpassed his level. Felt bad about letting him go but he hadn't really featured since promotion from the BSP. Spent a lot of time away on loan

Ashley Ahmed - In another game may have been a first choice midfielder. Was another product of the youth system, but seemed to upset a lot of people at the club. Signed for Bradford on a free.

Club Info

Chairman Status: Enjoying life at the club



Finances: Okay



Estimated Value: £4.6M



Stadium: Burnham Stadium 5257 (Temporarily at Elm Park 15000 all seater due to redevelopment)



Training Facilities: Fairly Basic



Youth Facilities: Minimal



Junior Coaching: Exceptional



Youth Recruitment: Basic



Media Prediction: 24th

Expectations

Board

League - Avoid Relegation

FA Cup - 3rd round

Diddy cup - Couldn't care less

Carling Cup - 2nd Round

Media

The have us dead last in 24th

Me

League - Consolidation

FA Cup - 3rd round

Diddy - win with kids

Carling Cup - 3rd round

Somehow get my dreadful training facilities upgraded. With around £1M debt, this isn't going to happen any time soon.

Club Progress and Facilities

[ron6632]

August

Ch (a) v Brighton 3-0 Baxter (2, 74), Sainte-Luce (65)

It takes us less than two minutes to score our 1st Championship goal, and appropriately it is Cramp who feeds Baxter who takes the ball round the keeper. Sainte-Luce makes it two midway through the 2nd half with a fine shot from the corner of the box. Baxter gets a second after a storming run and shot to seal the points and give us the perfect start to life in the division.

CC1 (h) v Burton Albion 7-0 Martinich (12, 56), Harris (o.g. 24), Baxter (49, 64, 66), Neish (o.g. 82)

Burton start well in this game, but Martinich settles the nerves after 12 minutes, sweeping the ball into the net from inside the 6 yard box. We make it 2-0 from a corner when Duffy's header is turned into his own net by a defender. Baxter scores from a through ball early in the 2nd half and Martinich adds his second with a fine finish from the edge of the area. Baxter gets his second, rounding the keeper and completes the hatrick with a powerful turn and shot. Gormans shot is then deflected in by a defender to complete the thrashing.

Ch (h) v Colchester 1-2 Baxter (24)

Although we fall behind in this game, Baxter fires us level and it looks like we will go on to win it. The sucker punch comes 2 minutes from time to consign us to an undeserved defeat.

Ch (a) v Derby County 0-1

Poor game, from both sides. Settled in the first half with the only good move of the game. 2nd half was utter dross.

Ch (h) v Swansea City 6-1 Martinich (3), Cramp (44, 54, 71), Hendry (82), White (87)

Martinich scores an early goal, stabbing in a cross, but the Swans get an undeserved equaliser midway through the half. Cramp then proves he still has what it takes at this level, volleying in a Klopcic cross right on half time. His 2nd is a deft volley and 3rd a calm finish from just inside the box. Hendry scores a rare goal, finishing off a counter attack then White slams in a corner to complete the scoring.

CC2 (h) v Stoke CIty 1-3 Jurakic (o.g. 46)

We don't turn up for this cup tie. Stoke comprehensively outplay us as we start to resemble a Jeckyll and Hyde outfit.

Ch (a) v Wigan Athletic 2-2 Mitchell (49), Sainte-Luce (60)

It is an even game in which we take the lead twice and are pegged back twice. Mitchell produces a class finish to keep him in the first team plans, then Saint-Luce produces some magic for our 2nd. We battled the referee who seemed to do everything possible to aid a Wigan win, even sending Kerr off near the end. A good away point though.

[ron6632]

September

Ch (h) v Sheff Wed 4-1 Cramp (2, 43), Madlmayr (23), Esposito (33)

Inside 3 minutes we are 1 goal up and 1 man down, Cramp tapping in from close range then Smith getting sent off for a dreadful tackle. I move to 3 at the back and from a corner, Full-back (covering CB out of necessity) heads the ball in from a corner to score his 1st ever goal for the club in his 5th season with us. Esposito gets some luck as a clearance hits him and rebounds in, Wednesday pull one back then Cramp taps in his 2nd just before half time to complete the scoring.

Ch (a) v Watford 1-1 Martinich (84)

It is a feisty 1st half with few chances and plenty of meaty challenges. We are by far the better side in the 2nd but can't find a way past the Watford keeper, losing a goal with 10 minutes to play. We hit back quickly the, Martinich calmly taking the ball round the keeper to slot home, then we survive an onslaught to the end of the match to take a point. Their keeper was MoM. Nuff said.

Ch (h) v Newcastle Utd 4-1 Klopcic (19), Baxter (45+1, 82), Sainte-Luce (57)

Klopcic gives us the lead with a stunning long range strike and we make it 2 in injury time when Baxter fires in a Sainte-Luce cross. Sainte-Luce then sneaks the ball home at the near post early in the 2nd half. We lose a goal to a well struck shot as Newcastle tried to get back into the game. Baxter then made the game safe after a good passing move.

Ch (h) v West Ham Utd 1-3 Baxter (44)

It's an even, if rather dreadful game. We lose the first goal from a corner. Baxter then scores with alooping header from a corner to level things just before half-time. Utd re-take the lead just after the break then they waltz through our defence for a third.

[ron6632]

October

Ch (a) v Barnsley 1-1 Cramp (49)

It is another scrappy 1st half, but we gradually assert ourselves on the game. We open the scoring through Cramp early in the 2nd half, shortly after the Barnsley keeper makes the best double save I have seen in FM. We look as if we hold on, until Barnsley get the break of the ball at a corner to equalise in injury time.

Ch (h) v Stoke City 1-3 White (38)

Stoke score a goal out of nothing early on despite us dictating play. They make it 2-0 from a freekick as we struggle to create chances. White pulls one back from a corner but we lose a third on the counter.

Ch (a) v Norwich City 4-0 Montiero (56), Cramp (66), White (79), Milne (81)

We dominate the game and take the lead through Monterio, who scores from a corner. Cramp makes it two with an exquisite turn and shot from outside the area. White gets the third, heading in a corner then Baxter brilliantly sets up Milne who bundles the ball home to seal a fantastic 3 points.

Ch (h) v Cheltenham 1-1 Tong (40)

It is a tight and scrappy affair with both sides missing good chances. Tong givers us the lead, tapping home a super Sainte-Luce cross. We don't finish them off, and once again we lose a late goal to give Cheltenham an undeserved point.

Ch (a) v West Brom 1-1 Cramp (pen 39)

Cramp gives us the lead with a 1st half penalty after Baxter was chopped down in the box. We fail to capitalise on some good chances and lose an equaliser midway through the 2nd half. Defender White is injured in the last few minutes, putting him out for two months.

[ron6632]

November

Ch (h) v Swindon 2-0 Krog (27), Baxter (45+1)

We play a side struggling against relegation and start well. Krog gets his first for the club finishing a fine passing move. Gorman feeds Baxter in 1st half injury time who finally ends his goal drought and seal the points.

Ch (a) v West Brom 0-1

We enter this game with both my regular central defensive pair out until well after Christmas, leaving me with a makeshift back 4. There's more bad news as Tong is taken off injured. We hold out until the last 15 minutes, conceding from a corner which costs us the game.

Diddy Cup (h) v Wycombe 7-1 Readings (6), Martinich (9), Sainte-Luce (44), Esposito (52, 57, 89), Hendry (67)

Readings heads in his first for the club from a corner and Martinich makes it 2 soon after. Sainte-Luce makes it 3 before the break from another corner. Esposito makes it 4 after the break with a tap in just before we give away a penalty which is duly scored. Esposito adds his second after good work by Smith and Hendry makes it 6, heading in yet another corner. Esposito completes the scoring with his hatrick right at the death.

Ch (a) v Luton 0-1

Kerr messes up early and gifts Luton a goal. That costs us the game.

Ch (h) v Sheff Utd 3-3 Baxter (1), Cramp (66), Kerr (86)

It takes us 45 seconds for Baxter to open the scoring - his 150th league goal for the club. We lose the equaliser from a freekick Kerr plays a suicide pass to gift Utd the lead. Cramp equalises in the 2nd half but we go behind again to a long range shot. Kerr redeems himself, heading in Gormans corner

James Baxter

Ch (h) v Leeds Utd 3-2 Baxter (2), Cramp (36), Gordon (o.g. 55)

Once again Baxter scores early, this time lobbing the keeper from outside the area. Our defence is a shambles as we concede an equaliser, we really miss Duffy and White. Cramp then scores a direct freekick only for us to concede a penalty which is saved by Crook. Baxters shot is deflected in to make it 3. Leeds pull one back with 10 minutes left with our defence a shambles again. We hold on for an important win.

[ron6632]

December

Ch (a) v Scunthorpe 1-1 Esposito (27)

We miss a barrowload of chances, they score with their first shot. Esposito equalises immediately though with a tap in from a rebound. Cramp misses a grand total of seven good chances, costing us 2 points.

Ch (h) v Middlesbrough 1-6 Klopcic (41)

Our first game at Burnham stadium in the Championship since it was completed. We fall behind to an early strike with Baxter lying injured and unable to continue. We are poor and it is 3-0 with 30 minutes played. Klopcic pulls one back before half time only for us to concede again. Put in perspective both sides have 10 shots and 5 on target. We have 5 CCC while they have 3. We concede again from the restart and lose no 6 late on.

Ch (a) v Wrexham 1-1 Cramp (62)

We fall a goal behind in the 2nd half after what looked like a foul on one of my players. Cramp puts us on terms with a fine freekick a few minutes later to gain us a valuable point.

Ch (h) v Bristol City 2-0 Tong (82), Esposito (90+2)

White and Duffy return from injury for this game. White is sent off in the first half but it is Tong who gives us a late lead with a neat header. Esposito seals it in injury time, blasting the ball home from a Klopcic pass. Big 3 points.

FA3 (h) v Preston NE 2-1 Klopcic (36), Baxter (65)

The last game of the year comes on New Years Eve. We dominate and has been the way lately, squander many chances. Klopcic gives us the lead with a fine strike from outside the box. Baxter gets the second from a long punt by Crook. Preston pull a goal back with 10 minutes to go but we hold firm to reach the 4th round for the first time in the clubs history.

League Table at the Halfway Point

[ron6632]

January

Ch (h) v Derby County 4-1 Cousins (o.g. 5), Cramp (41), Kerr (75), Klopcic (88)

This is Cramps 350th appearance for the club. We sneak an early lead, a corner being turned into his own net by a Defender. Cramp makes it two after good work by Baxter just before halftime. Derby come out the blocks second half and steal a goal back. Full back Kerr then pops up to score a superb long range effort with 15 minutes left, securing the points. Klopicic scores a great individual effort to make it 4 before the end.

Ch (a) v Colchester 1-1 Baxter (27)

Although we fall behind in this game we are the better side. Baxter fires us level which ends the scoring. A good point.

Diddy Cup (a) v Marlow 3-0 Morris (36), Baxter (51), Cairidi (72)

It is one way traffic, although Marlow seem to cope with our pressure very well. We finally break through when new loanee Morris slots in a corner. Baxter makes it two after the break as I attempt to improve his goalscoring form. Caridi comes on to score a lovely goal in a comfortable victory.

Ch (a) v Swansea City 1-1 Baxter (71)

It is an even game with few chances. Baxter eventually seises on a defensive error to give us a slender lead which we throw away right at the end of the match.

Ch (h) v Brighton 3-2 Baxter (16, 39), White (38)

Baxter opens the scoring with the Brighton defence just standing and watching the ball. White makes it two from a corner then Baxter scores his second from the restart. We lose a goal midway through the second half after a mistake by Kerr. they pull another goal back from a freekick but we hold out for another massive 3 points.

Ch (h) v Wigan 0-2

Wigan take the lead when they fail to kick the ball out for one of my injured players. A defensive mix up lets them score an undeserved second with 10 minutes to go to consign us to defeat.

FA4 (h) v Derby County 1-3 White (5)

Our second meeting with Derby this month. White heads us into an early lead from Tongs corner. Loose defending gifts an equaliser before half time then we fall behind to a direct freekick. The third comes on the counter late on as we push for an equaliser.

Ch (a) v Sheff Wed 1-1 Baxter (80)

Wednesday sit in the relegation zone. They take the lead from a long throw as we dominate. We control the game and with time running out, Baxter is put through to get the equaliser after we miss a number of glorious chances.

[deltablue]

Jammy gits Wigan.

[ron6632]

Jammy gits Wigan.

I was after that game

[ron6632]

February

Ch (h) v Watford 2-1 Baxter (79), Martinich (90)

This is another milestone for Baxter, his 250th league appearance for the club. It is a poor first half with both sides cancelling each other out. Watford open the scoring as we fall asleep in defence from a throw in with 20 minutes to go. Baxter is the man who equalises, an easy finish from Esposito's super low cross with only 11 minutes left (157 goals in 250 games). He then spurns a gilt edge chance after being put through by Krog just moments later. We do get a second in injury time though, Martininch combining brilliantly with Esposito to slide the ball home at the near post, sealing a deserved win.

Ch (a) v West Ham 2-1 Morris (59), Krog (pen 71)

West Ham sit once place below us in 11th. I opt for a more defensive approach in this match to try and grind out a result. We are comfortable for 30 minutes then concede with the defence ball watching from a cut back. On 58 minutes, Morris gets his first league goal, emphatically heading home Esposito's corner as we push for a result. We are awarded a rather dubious penalty on 69 minutes which Krog dispatches superbly. We hold on to take a superb and unexpected victory that moves us up to 8th, only 4 points off the playoffs.

Ch (a) v Newcastle Utd 0-3

They sit two places below us on the same points total making this a crucial game for both sides. We struggle to cope with Utd early on and fall behind to a direct freekick on 17 minutes. Baxter misses a sitter on 28 minutes and moments later we lose the second on the counter then we give away a dubious penalty to fall three behind. We improve in the 2nd half, but fail to make an impact on the Utd goal. Dreadful performance.

Ch (h) v Norwich 3-0 Morris (22), Mard (o.g. 28), Baxter (70)

Norwich are in a relegation dogfight, sitting 2nd bottom of the league. We are the better side eventually taking the lead in the 20th minute, Morris heading home a corner with the keeper AWOL. A Tong cross is then deflected in by a defender a few minutes later. Krog feeds Baxter in the 69th minute who thumps the ball home from an angle to complete a very comfortable victory.

Ch (h) v Barnsley 5-1 Sainte-Luce (13), Tong (17), Baxter (42), Milne (76), Cramp (84)

Barnsley sit in 19th place making this game a 3 point target. Sainte-Luce opens the scoring with a sweet shot from distance after 12 minutes. Tong then beats the keeper with a stunning strike in off the crossbar 4 minutes later. On 41 minutes Baxter manages to slip between two defenders and put the ball beyond the keeper for number 3. Baxter is injured early second half and soon after Barnsley pull a goal back after a mistake by Kerr. Milne then gets our 4th with a long range curler then Tong crosses for Cramp to slam home number 5 with 5 minutes left. That result rounds off, the Newcastle game aside, a very good month.

Table

[ron6632]

Just had this pop into the mail box.

Delayed it until the end of the season. My gut reaction is I don't want the job - I'd rather stay with Burnham to see how far I can take them.

[ron6632]

Youth Intake

This years intake has a few players that look as if they could go somewhere. I am most impressed with Will Bodkin who is being reported as having Premiership potential. He can play almost anywhere as well.

The best of the rest

[ron6632]

March

Ch (a) v Cheltenham 3-2 Sainte-Luce (22), Duffy (42), Tong (56)

We are without Baxter for this game against the side sitting second bottom. We are poor, but still manage to take the lead on 21 minutes when Sainte-Luce turns in a Martinich cutback after Cramp hit the post. They are reduced to 10 men on the half hour and we follow suit 6 minutes larger when White gives away a stupid penalty which is duly dispatched. Defender Duffy comes on and appears to be playing as a striker (player swap positions etc) and produces a piece of magic to give us the lead again. Tong heads in Cramps freekick on 55 minutes to open up a gap but they undeservedly pull one back on 80 after we miss several sitters. Krog is sent off for a second yellow then Cheltenham are reduced to 9 in injury time as we hold on to win. We sit one place outside the palyoffs.

It is a costly game with injuries to White, Klopcic and Duffy as well as Duffy and Krog receiving red cards.

Ch (a) v Stoke 1-4 Cramp (60)

We visit Stoke having never beaten them, our best result a 3-1 defeat at home. A difficult tie with our depleted side. It takes us only 5 minutes to go a goal down with the defence caught flat footed and we lose a second from a poor clearance after 26. Number 3 comes from a direct freekick on the half hour as we implode. Cramp pulls one back on 60, sneaking the ball home at the near post. Stoke get a 4th though with 15 minutes left to confirm the defeat.

Diddy Cup S/F (h) v Chesham 5-1 Madlmayr (15), Cramp (24), Martinich (28), Gorman (68), Esposito (79)

It is constant one way traffic and in the 15th minute Madlmayr bullets a long range shot past the keeper. Cramp heads home an Esposito cross 10 minutes later and Martinich makes it three soon after. We gift them a goal after half time then resume the one way traffic, Gorman turning in a low cross at the back post. Esposito heads in a high cross for 5 to complete the scoring and send us to the final

Ch (h) v West Brom 1-1 Martinich (13)

They sit second in the league for this home game. We lose the first goal from an 8th minute corner. Martinich taps in Espositos cross from a fine counter attack in the 12th minute. Esposito has a perfectly good goal chopped off for offside as we start to dominate. We can't find a way through as the game finishes a draw.

I go mad about the ref in the post match conference and pick up a one match touchline ban.

Ch (a) v Swindon 3-1 Cramp (1), Martinich (46, 84)

I can only chose the team for this game due to my touchline ban. Swindon are in a relegation dogfight as well. A win would see us keep in the hunt for a playoff place. It takes us less than a minute to score, Cramp given time to turn in the box and slot home. Despite the early lead we toil and don't look interested, at times just holding on until we concede from a corner in 1st half injury time. We start the 2nd as we started the 1st, Martinich scoring from a Cramp through ball within a minute of the restart. He seals the game with 6 minutes left, an easy finish from Hendrys through ball in a second half that we dominate.

League Table

[deltablue]

Could sneak promotion through the playoffs.

[cerud]

It's getting close. A move into the playoffs would be great

[ron6632]

It's getting close. A move into the playoffs would be great

Could sneak promotion through the playoffs.

It's going to be touch and go Down to the last match and we have to have results go our way!

April

Ch (h) v Bolton 2-1 Matinich (31, 44)

A six pointer played on April fools day. Bolton are 6 points ahead and sitting in a playoff spot. A win here puts us right in the mix. We give them a roasting for half an hour and it is the in form Martinich who capitalises from a misunderstanding at the back to slot home from an impossible angle. He scores an outstanding second, curling a daisy cutter past the keeper and into the corner of the net a few minutes before half time. They get an undeserved goal back from a corner on 70 minutes making the last 20 minutes rather nervous. We hold firm to take what could be a massive 3 points.

Ch (h) v Luton 1-4 Martinich (34)

It is a poor affair with few chances. We gift the lead to Luton though on the half hour mark with some idle defending. Martinich scores from the restart with the aid of a deflection to level it. Only a few minutes later we switch off again to gift Luton another goal. We batter them for the second half, so it is only natural that Luton get the next goal from a corner with 10 minutes to go. They get a 4th with a couple of minutes to play and I am stunned by the result. They didn't deserve to win let alone score 4. A disastrous result though in the quest for the playoffs.

Cg (a) v Sheff Utd 2-1 Gorman (9), Martinich (14)

We travel to a struggling Utd side. Gorman heads us into the lead after some scintillating wing play by Esposito after 8 minutes. On 14 mintues, Martinich finishes a lovely passing move for number 2. Utd get a goal out of nothing 5 minutes before the break to give them hope. The second half is a non event as we hold on comfortably to win.

Ch (a) v Leeds 2-1 Klopcic (88), Sainte-Luce (90+2)

We give them a first half roasting but fail to score. They open the scoring 10 minutes into the 2nd as they control the game. We get a late equaliser when Klopcic gets on the end of a cross to tap home a deserved goal. We win it in injury time, Sainte-Luce turning his defender then blasting the ball home.

Ch (h) v Scunthorpe 5-2 Esposito (7), Martinich (11), Cramp (40, 84, 90)

A big opportunity against bottom the bottom side. Esposito gives us the lead, heading in a 6th minute corner. Martinich makes it two, rounding off a slick passing move. In the 39th minute Cramp is sent through by Klopcic to score the third. It's one way traffic through the second half as well although we switch off with 15 minutes left and allow Scunthorpe to score. We concede another as our defence sleeps with 10 minutes to go to make things very nervy. Cramp gets his second a few minutes later, turning in an Esposito cut back then seals his hatrick right on 90 minutes, again turning in an Esposito cross.

The result puts us in the last playoff spot with three games to play and relegates Scunthorpe.

Ch (a) v Middlesbrough 1-3 Esposito (81)

We travel to the champions who thrashed us at Burnham Stadium earlier in the season. We try to shut up shop, but it takes only 6 minutes to fall behind - from another corner. Two minutes later we fall further behind from a poorly defended freekick. We lose the third as no one in defence is prepared to deal with a pass back. Esposito does pull one back with 10 minutes to go but we have been comprehensively outplayed by a side that is clearly a level above the rest of the division.

We drop out the playoffs on goal difference.

Ch (h) v Wrexham 3-2 Martinich (15, 70), Sainte-Luce (44)

Huge game for us that we really must win to have any hope of being in the playoffs, especially with Watford and Brighton (the two clubs directly above us) playing each other. It is a scrappy game which we seem to be edging, especialy when Martinich beats his man and passes the ball into the net after 15 minutes to give us the lead and launch us into a playoff place. We begin to dominate possession, without creating any clear chances until some strong play by Martinich results in a cutback slid home by Sainte-luce in the 44th minute. Wrexham look more determined after half time, threatening our goal much more regularly, eventually scoring in the 61st minute with a well worked move. We get a third in the 70th minute, Krog neatly feeding an unmarked Martinich who blasts home from the edge of the box. It takes two minutes for them to pull a second back, our defence falling asleep to a through ball. It begins to get heated with a few hefty tackles flying around in a tense last few minutes but we hold on to win and re-enter the playoffs.

League Table

[Nobby_McDonald]

Finely poised.

[SRL88]

Going to be a little tense.

[deltablue]

You can do it if Watford draw.

[ron6632]

Finely poised.

Going to be a little tense.

You can do it if Watford draw.

Dammit

Loing story short. Got to close season and tried looking at my shortlist - crash. Watford lost but so did we.

Last save point was before the Wrexham game, so things could be different, seriously annoying as I had started squad building for next season.

We do get another crack at the cherry though.

Edit: Even with the win against Wrexham everything still stands. It is too close to call in the last game. Essentially a draw (barring a 3 goal Watford win) or a win should see us in the playoffs.

[cerud]

Just gets yours Can't worry about Watford.

[SRL88]

Nothing worse than a save crashing.

[ron6632]

Just gets yours Can't worry about Watford.

Nothing worse than a save crashing.

Luckily it was "only" three games I lost, the frustrating thing was having found a number of players I was having a look at, I'm going to have to search again. Never mind.

so......

May

Diddy Cup Final (h) v Chalfont St Peter 3-1 Stewart (51), Cramp (96), Esposito (112)

It's a mixture of fringe and youth players for this game. The first half is a turgid affair, neither team creating any clear chances. Stewart gives us the lead early in the 2nd half when the goalkeeper drops the ball at his feet from a corner. They equalise with 2 minutes to go to take the game to extra time. Cramp scores a fine individual effort on 96 minutes to give us the lead again. Esposito seals it coming off the bench, turning in Gormans cross at the back post.

Ch (a) v Bristol City 0-2

Our playoff hopes rest on this game. We can't hold the ball and find ourselves under a lot of early pressure as we are casual and uninterested. We do begin to worm our way into the game and creating one or two half chances. The lads get a rollocking at half time but we still switch off and fall behind to a simple through ball on 55 minutes. We lose a second with 10 minutes to go as we now have to rely on the Watford result going our way....

[ron6632]

Watford could only draw in their final game, leaving us holding on to the playoff-place by our fingernails (and a point). We draw Stoke, who have never failed to put at least three goals past us in any competitive meeting.

Final Table

Ch Playoff Leg 1 (h) v Stoke 1-3 White (79)

We dominate the game until the defence switches off in injury time to gift Stoke the lead. We are by far the better team 2nd half hitting the woodwork 3 times, but lose another from nothing more than a hoof up the pitch. White does get one back with just over 10 minutes to play but we concede right at the death to pretty much put the tie beyond us.

14 shots to 7, 3 efforts off the bar and 61% possession. Bugger.

Ch Playoff Leg 2 (a) v Stoke 1(2)-(3)0 Morris (90)

It is almost a polar opposite of the previous game. They have all the chances, we score the winner in stoppage time. Progression was never likely after the first leg result, but it was nice to sign off with a win, Morris the scorer in our first ever victory over Stoke to complete our first season in the Championship

[Northernpilgrim]

Terriffic effort to get Burnham this far. Are you looking to take them up again, or would you be tempted by an offer from the Premier League now?

[ron6632]

I've got a job offer from Everton who are a mid-table Prem side to decide on (delayed to end of season), but I really don't want to walk away from the club. Next season will be crucial - if we can consolidate or progress well I will stay, if it all goes horribly wrong (relegation) I will probably move on.

I would love to get them into the Prem, and eventually Europe

[deltablue]

Hope you can progress at Burnham.

[ron6632]

Season review

Once again we performed well above everybody's expectations. We had a rather topsy-turvy start to the season which gradually settled into some mid-table form up until Christmas. In the new year we hit good form which was the catalyst for an eventual push for the playoffs. Long term injuries to Baxter and Tong were major stumbling blocks, but we had the cover, and the players who came in excelled themselves, Martinich especially, who went on a super run of goalscoring form during his run in the side. We eventually scraped into the playoffs, only to lose to a Stoke side that were destined for promotion.

While there was much to be positive about I was concerned about our propensity to roll over to bigger sides, and an unhealthy habit of conceding goals from corners. It may be time for one of my young keepers to take over the mantle from Crook, although their may be a deeper defensive problem with the side that needs looking at.

All in all, with a budget that was the 3rd lowest in the division, the club has punched well above its weight. We are leaking cash though, and going into the close season over £3 million in debt. We need a bigger stadium (while at Elm Park (15k capacity) we were just about breaking even) with our 5k capacity ground just not big enough for our needs anymore.

Championship - Great effort to reach the playoffs - promotion would have been a bridge too far.

FA Cup - Furious to go out the cup at home to Derby who we had beaten only a couple of matches before. Lost out on much needed revenue.

Carling Cup - Stoke are becoming my nemesis. I hope to avoid them for a long time now.

Diddy Cup - Sixth consecutive win in the trophy, although we tried our best to give it to Chalfont St Peter.

Key Players

Peter Crook - Now 30, the GK has matured with age and has pulled off some fine saves this season, although he can and has made some pretty awful mistakes. 245 appearances in the league for the club.

Michael White - In his 3rd season with the club, clocking up 114 league appearances. The Irish defender has been a colossus in defence, and weighs in with some pretty important goals, 6 in all competitions this season.

Niki Klopcic - Not as good as previous seasons, but this was a step up for him. Hugely important player in the middle of the park starting off passing moves and supporting the attack.

Jan Krog - 18 year old Danish midfielder. Can only get better, and if he does he will be some player. Midfield dynamo for us and works well with Klopcic.

Aris Esposito - Only 20, the winger created 18 goals this season. Has the ability just to drift past players at will. Huge future

Kevin Sainte-Luce - Another superb season for the Frenchman, 8 goals and 11 assists. Signed a pre-contract with Derby. I have good cover (when not injured) and needed his £6k a week off the wage bill.

Shane Cramp - 18 league goals for our record scorer.

James Baxter - "Only" 17 goals for Baxter this season - he did spend the last 3 months out with a torn hamstring though.

Octavio Martinich - Got a chance at a run in the side and grabbed it with both hands. 17 goals in all competitions and 10 assists made him great competition for Cramp and Baxter.

Records

Top Scorer - Jason Baxter 22

Top League Scorer - Shane Cramp 18

Most Assists - Aris Esposito 18

Average Rating - Jason Baxter 7.20

Player of the Year - Aris Esposito

League Competition
-------------------------------------------
2011/12 Evo-Stik Southern D1 C - 10th |
2012/13 Evo-Stik Southern D1 C - 4th | Lost in Playoff S/F
2013/14 Evo-Stik Northern D1 S - 1st | Champions - Promoted to Evo-Stik Southern Prem
2014/15 Evo-Stik Southern Premier - 1st | Champions - Promoted to BSS
2015/16 Blue Square South - 9th |
2016/17 Blue Square South - 2nd | Promoted to BSP via Playoffs
2017/18 Blue Square Prem - 6th |
2018/19 Blue Square Prem - 1st | Champions - Promoted to League 2
2019/20 League 2 - 9th |
2020/21 League 2 - 1st | Champions - Promoted to League 1
2021/22 League 1 - 1st | Champions - Promoted to Championship
2022/23 Championship - 6th | Lost in Playoff Semi-Final to Stoke City

Cups
---------------------------------
FA Cup
---------------------------------
2011/12 - 1st Qualifying Round v Congleton
2012/13 - 4th Qualifying Round v Corby
2013/14 - 2nd Qualifying Round v Eastbourne Boro
2014/15 - 2nd Qualifying Round v Staines
2015/16 - 4th Qualifying Round v Chippenham
2016/17 - 2nd Round v Cheltenham
2017/18 - 3rd Round Replay v Middlesbrough
2018/19 - 1st Round v Norwich City
2019/20 - 3rd Round Replay v Nottingham Forest
2020/21 - 3rd Round v Southampton
2021/22 - 3rd Round Replay v Leeds Utd
2022/23 - 4th Round v Derby County

Carling Cup
---------------------------------
2019/20 - 1st Round v Aldershot
2020/21 - 2nd Round v Stoke City
2021/22 - Semi Final v Manchester City
2022/23 - 2nd Round v Stoke City

JPT
---------------------------------
2019/20 - Runners Up v Hull City
2020/21 - Winners v York City
2021/22 - Winners v Hull City

[Nobby_McDonald]

Wahey, Stoke go up.

[ron6632]

Hope you can progress at Burnham.

Cheers. I'm looking forward to the next season. It could be pivotal for us

Wahey, Stoke go up.

I'm actually delighted about this. Every time they play us we get hammered. I just hope we avoid them in the cups...

Preview

Very much a transitional season ahead I feel. Financially we are potentially, in deep trouble, if we keep leaking cash as we have been. I have moved on one or two of our top earners and cashed in a £500k transfer fee for Kerr - incidentally, the first time I have sold a player for a fee in this save!

I feel though, that I have managed to strengthen the squad with a few well thought out signings, all though I am still on the trail of that elusive central defender that we so desperately need.

The first few matches will show where we are at - a repeat of last year would be great, but anywhere in mid table will be fine for me. This should be the hardest season yet.

Players In

Aiden Crighton - Signed on a free from St Mirren. Young AM C with bags of potential who looks like he might go far. Adds depth to the midfield.

Nikolay Kolev - 20 year old Bulgarian Striker, already with one cap to his name. Looks a real player.

Antonio Gomes - Portugese left back signed from Portsmouth. A squad addition as cover after Kerr's departure.

Luca Amendola - Young Italian defender/midfielder. Will provide much needed cover at the back. Will play off the bench.

Christopher Neville - Another defender brought in as cover. Youngster who will get his chance when injuries and suspensions kick in.

Players Out

Marvyn Kerr - The right full-back sold to Aberdeen for £500k. We needed the cash and the wages. We still have good players in his position so a calculated sale.

Kevin Sainte-Luce - Sorry to see him go, but he had hit 30, was one of our highest earners and wanted more to renew his contract. £6k a week back in the wage budget.

Tiago Monteiro - The vice Captain was picking up a hefty wage without ever really featuring in the side. I took the hard decision not to renew his contract as there were just too many players ahead of him in the side.

Anthony Stewart - The DC has been a good servant of the club, but the Championship is really way above his level. Cost us quite a few goals when in the side and never performed at a level where I could justify keeping him

Club Info

Chairman Status: Enjoying life at the club



Finances: Okay



Estimated Value: £5.25M



Stadium: Burnham Stadium 5257



Training Facilities: Fairly Basic



Youth Facilities: Minimal



Junior Coaching: Exceptional



Youth Recruitment: Basic



Media Prediction: 13th

Expectations

Board

League - Top Half Finish

FA Cup - 3rd round

Diddy cup - Couldn't care less

Carling Cup - 2nd Round

Media - 13th (much better than last years 24th!)

Me

League - Top Half

FA Cup - 3rd round

Diddy - win with kids

Carling Cup - 3rd round

Reduce the debt (look…a flying pig!)

Club Progress

[SRL88]

An excellent season last year. Hopefully you can make a push for the play-offs this year.

[ron6632]

An excellent season last year. Hopefully you can make a push for the play-offs this year.

Cheers If we have a good start I think we may be able to get there again

You've done amazing with burnham, are the fiances that bad you may have to sell the likes of Baxter and Cramp? Well done btw

They're not that bad yet. Baxter is worth almost £4m so if things do go bad we always have that option. We'll see where we are at the end of the season. A couple of good cup runs wouldn't go amiss

[ron6632]

August

Already we have injury problems, Shane Cramp out injured for three months with an injury from a pre-season friendly.

Ch (a) v Wrexham 2-0 Klopcic (51), Amendola (90)

We dominate possession in a fairly uneventful 1st half against a well organised Wrexham side. On the two occasions we do open them up we hit the post both times. It is Klopcic who gives us the lead in the 51st minute, picking up a cleared corner and firing it into the top corner of the goal. The game degenerates into a scrappy mess until a last minute counter-attack sees Kolev's shot blocked by the keeper, only to land at the feet of Debut sub Amendola who passes the ball into the empty net.

CC1 (h) v Ebbsfleet Utd 4-0 Esposito (14), Kolev (18), Baxter (49), Tong (89)

Ebbsfleet are a bit of a bogey side for us, but it takes us only 13 minutes to work the ball to Esposito who slots home calmly. We make it two 4 minutes later, a deep Smith cross headed home by the unmarked Kolev for his first goal for the club. Baxter is sent through by Klopcic on 49 minutes for his 1st of the season and with 2 minutes left, sub Tong pounces on a defensive mistake to make it four and send us through to the 2nd round.

Ch (h) v Derby County 2-0 Duffy (70), Bower (o.g. 82)

My 700th match in charge of Burnham comes against one of my bogey teams. We have only managed 2 wins in 6 attempts against them. We lose Ashley Gorman to injury after only 4 minutes. We are in complete control but we just can't find the right final ball or shot that would give us the lead. When we do get through we find the post and the goalkeeper in inspired form. The goal finally comes in 70 minutes, Duffy heading in a Tong corner, our 10th of the match. We do get a second, when Klopcic's shot flies into the net. The goal for some reason is awarded as an o.g. for the keeper. A very encouraging display, although our finishing was very poor. 2-0 going on 7-0. The win puts us top.

Ch (a) v Leeds Utd 3-1 White (45+4), Esposito (58), Klopcic (pen 63)

We pick up yet another injury, this time in 30 seconds. Madlmayr coming off worst in a challenge. It takes us a long time to settle, our passing being very poor, but we do create the better chances. We fall behind 5 minutes before the break to a direct freekick. White equalises deep into first half injury time, heading home a Tong corner. Esposito gives us a 57th minute lead, combining with Kolev, beating a man and passing the ball into the net. We are awarded a penalty in the 62nd minute which Klopcic takes brilliantly to put us 3-1 up. A deserved victory in a tough match.

Ch (h) v Bristol City 3-1 Esposito (16), Kolev (25), Gomes (72)

We have a slow start but gradually take control. In the 16th minute Esposito heads in Tongs cross from point blank range. On 24 minutes, Esposito feeds Kolev after a good passing move, and he curls the ball in for his first league goal. City pull a goal back out of nothing 5 minutes bfore the break. The second half is scrappy but we do get a third, Antonio Gomes scoring a sweet freekick on his debut, sealing the 3 points.

CC2 (a) v Walsall 1-2 Kolev (36)

We have never lost to Walsall, who are struggling in league 1. To say we dominate the 1st 10 minutes is an understatement. 98% possession show just how on top we are. Things improve for Walsall, a little, although we continue to press, finally getting a goal in 36 minutes, Kolev rounding the keeper. Smith gives away a stupid penalty early in the 2nd half for the equaliser as Walsall look a different side. They take the lead from a corner with 10 minutes left with a lucky goal to ensure that our ongoing finishing problems cost us a place in the next round.

[ron6632]

September

Ch (a) v Wolves 0-1

We travel to recently relegated Wolves looking to bounce back from the Walsall result. We dominate the 1st half, hitting the post twice and Tong missing the easiest chance ever. It takes Wolves less than a minute to take an undeserved lead at the start of the second half, a goal that proves to be the winner. Once again our poor finishing costs us the game.

Ch (h) v Cheltenham 4-0 Baxter (33, 35, 53), Kolev (56)

It is an even end to end game, with neither side really on top. Baxter finally gets his goal after 32 minutes, barging his way into the box and bundling the ball beyond the keeper. Seconds later, Kolev plays in Baxter who beats his man and dispatches a fine finish past the keeper for number 2. Right on half time Crook pulls off an incredible double save to keep the score at 2-0. A fine move in the 52 minute sees Klopcic run at the heart of the defence then slip in Baxter, who has an easy finish for his hatrick. Esposito then cuts the ball back for Kolev, who hits the post from a yard out, the rebound hits him then the keeper, then back to him to tap in right on the goal line. We remain in control as the game peters out. A fine win.

Ch (a) v Preston 5-3 Klocpcic (pen 25, 48, 59), White (35), Krog (51)

Preston lie bottom of the table, and are something of a yo-yo club between the Championship and League 1. It is a scrappy affair with few chances until White is fouled in the box which is scored by Klopcic. White then scores himself, swatting in a Kolev knockdown from a corner. Klopcic gets his second early in the second half, finishing Baxters cut back from outside the box. 3 minutes later Baxter feeds Krog who continues his run to finish via the post. On 59 minutes Klopcic picks up his hatrick, Kolev finding him unmarked at the edge of the box. Preston pull one back straight from the kickoff to cost us a clean sheet. Preston get a second after Crooks save rebounds off Smith then they get a third in injury time after a defensive error.

Ch (h) v Cardiff City 3-2 Tong (39), Martinich (73), Milne (90+2)

Big game against Yo-Yo side Cardiff who have just been relegated from the Premier Division in this, our first competitive meeting. We are probably the better side, but a Cardiff take the lead, heading in a well taking freekick, their first effort at goal. It only takes a few minutes for number two after a defensive error allows a clear run at goal. We get back into it, Krog finding Tong at the edge of the box, who sends an unstoppable shot into the net. Sub Martinich gets his first of the season in the 72nd minute, heading in a deep Gomes cross to level the game. We keep going into injury time, and a poor clearance falls to Milne who fires into the top corner for a deserved winner.

[ron6632]

October

Ch (h) v Sheff Wed 1-1 Gomes (9)

Gomes opens the scoring with a superb direct freekick on 9 minutes. We lose an equaliser when the ref lets play go on after a foul on Duffy. We dominate the rest of the game, missing one or two good chances, but never really do enough to win the game.

Ch (a) v Luton 3-0 White (52), Mirtinich (79), Crighton (90+2)

We travel to third place Luton. It is a very even game 1st half, but things seem to swing our way when Luton are reduced to 10 men on half time. White volleys home a corner early 2nd half to give us a lead. We finally get a second, Tong playing in sub Martinich who rounds the keeper to roll the ball into the net with 10 minutes to go. Crighton then gets the break of the ball in the box and slips it under the keeper in injury time for number 3.

Ch (a) v Wigan 2-1 White (57), Esposito (68)

Wigan take the lead on 15 minutes (undeservedly) when they injure Gomes with a dreadful tackle and have a free run on goal (their first attack). We lay siege to their goal and finally score through a White header in the 57th minute. Ten minutes later Kolev crosses for the unmarked Esposito to head us into the lead. That goal proves to be the winner in what was really a comprehensive victory.

Ch (h) v Burnley 0-0

We huff and we puff and my strikers could't finish a fish supper. We should have won this game 3 or 4 nil. My strikers have only scored in one league match each. Concerning.

Ch (a) v Swansea 0-0

We travel to a struggling Swansea side. They are possibly the better side as we really struggle to retain possession. Neither side impresses in the 2nd half with the game drifting to a poor 0-0 draw.

League Table

I couldn't have asked for a better start. My big concern is the lack of goals coming from my strikers. This needs to change fast!

[deltablue]

Looks like your year.

[ron6632]

Looks like your year.

If we are still there in March I might start believing

November

Ch (h) v Colchester 1-1 Baxter (49)

We have a slow start to this match, but it isn't long until my strikers return to missing easy chances as we completely dominate the match. Baxter finally scores in the 49th minute, after Klopcic sets him clean through on goal. Colchester salvage an undeserved point in the 3rd minute of injury time.

Ch (a) v Brighton 1-1 White (35)

Another scrappy game, but it is White who heads us ahead from a corner on 35 minutes. We give away a stupid penalty midway through the second half which Brighton score to continue our run of draws.

Ch (h) v Portsmouth 2-2 Tong (46), Klopcic (75)

Pompy start well and take the lead within 10 minutes and the defence falls asleep for their second before half time. Tong pulls one back from the 2nd half kickoff the Pompy are reduced to 10 men soon after. We lay siege to their goal and eventually Klopcic gets the equaliser with a great run and finish to salvage a point.

Diddy Cup (a) v Beaconsfield 7-0 Tong (8), Hendry (11), Baxter (16), Kolev (19, 52, 54, 90+1)

Tong prods in the 1st on 7 minutes and Hendry bundles the ball over the line 3 minutes later. Baxter makes it 3 after 16 minutes with a fine finish and Kolev heads in the 4th then scores a 5th after the break. Baxter feeds the ball through for his hattrick with less than 10 minutes of the 2nd half gone. He gets his fouth in injury time to round off the rout.

Ch (a) v Plymouth 3-0 Duffy (42), White (46), Baxter (74)

It is an even and scrappy affair with neither side really getting a grip of things. We take the lead on 42 minutes, Duffy heading home a corner. We start the second as we finish the first, this time it is White who heads in a freekick. Kolev then runs the length of the pitch and crosses for Baxter who has an easy finish for our third on 74 minutes.

[ron6632]

December

My chairman decides to accept a bid from Montpellier for Klopcic who is out of contract at the end of the season. I will be sad to see him go, but we really need the £1.1m they have offered.

Ch (h) v Sheff Utd 4-0 Kolev (24, 28, pen 78), Baxter (74)

We start well and look the better side. In the 23 minute Madlmayr, who has just returned from a long term injury, crosses for Kolev to head home from close range. Only 4 minutes later Baxter plays in Kolev who slips the ball under the keeper for number 2. In the 73 minute Baxter waltzes through the Utd defence and passes the ball into the net for our third goal. Kolev is fouled in the box 4 minutes later and gets up to complete his hatrick. A superb win.

Ch (h) v Newcastle Utd 2-1 Hendry (12), Kolev (20)

It takes us 11 minutes to take the lead, Hendry scoring a wonderful long range curler. Klopcic sets up Kolev opn 20 minutes who fires an unstoppable effort into the net from outside the box. Newcastle pull one back from a long throw on the half hour. Shane Cramp completes his return from injury, coming on for the poor Baxter. We hold on to take a deserved and important win.

Ch (a) v Watford 0-0

Poor game. We have 17 attempts on goal, but only manage 2 on target, with most of them poor long range efforts. Watford only manage 2 shots at goal. Despite the performance I am happy to come away with a point and a clean sheet from a tricky away game.

Elsewhere I am being linked with a top division job in Spain - no one exciting though - a struggling Granada side who sit second bottom.

Ch (h) v Barnsley 3-1 White (4), Baxter (25, 60)

It takes us only 4 minutes to forge ahead, White heading in a corner superbly. Basnsley come back into the game but it is Baxter who scores the next goal, twisting and turning on the edge of the box before firing past the keeper. We ride our luck at the start of the 2nd half but we hold firm looking very dangerous on the break. Smith plays a wonderful ball over the top for Baxter who makes no mistake from his clear run at goal. Barnsley do pull one back late on, but it is not enough to affect the result.

Ch (a) v Bolton 2-6 Kolev (12), Hendry (19)

We start the festive period with an away tie at Bolton who start the better side. Kolev puts us ahead on 11 minutes, diving onto a through pass to out fox the keeper who had rashly committed himself. We concede from an indirect freekick, everyone switching off at the back, but Hendry then scores a blistering freekick a minute later to restore our lead. Bolton pass up several chances, but then find some huge gaps in our defence to equalise for a second time. Bolton take the lead after 56 minutes when my defence just ball watch a low cross. We lose a 4th after an inexplicable mistake by Neville as it looks like my defence have had a few quid on at the bookis for us to lose this one. Alex Smith then gets himself sent off to compound our misery as we lose number 5 from the resulting freekick. With 2 minutes to go they hit us for six on the counter attack.

Ch (h) v West Ham 2-0 Kolev (28), Cramp (75)

We need to bounce back in this Boxing Day fixture. It is an even game and Kolev fires us into a 28th minute lead, turning well in the box and thumping home. It takes us until the 75th minute to get a second, sub Shane Cramp (returning from long term injury) getting his 1st for the season and 170th for the club from a well taken freekick.

Ch (a) v Derby County 1-0 Kerr (o.g. 5)

The last match of the year sees us travel to a struggling Derby side for Klopcic's last match for the club. We take the lead after only four minutes, Cramps cross turned into his own net by a defender. The rest of the game is a tight nervous affair with neither side impressing as we grind out a result.

League Table

We say goodbye to Slovenian midfielder Niki Klopcic who moves to Montpellier after 5 and a half seasons at the club. He was instrumental in our rise from the BSP and has been a permanent fixture in the side, clocking up 222 league appearances and scoring 31 goals. He created 42 goals and picked up 16 MoM awards.

There were also 45 cup appearances with 10 goals, 14 assists and 6 MoM.

He has been capped 35 times for his country, scoring 3 goals and still only 26 he has a long way still to go in the game.

We at Burnham wish him all the best for his future career.

[ron6632]

January

Ch (h) v Wrexham 1-3 Baxter (4)

Baxter lobs us into the lead on 3 minutes in this New Years Day tie. Wrexham start to press and equalise when White turns the ball into his own net. We lose a second at the start of the 2nd half from a poorly defended free kick. They seal the win late on on the counter.

Ch (h) v Leeds 3-0 Baxter (13), Kolev (79), White (83)

We start well enough, and eventually a good passing move plays in Baxter on 12 minutes who finishes well. We dominate the remainder of the 1st half and most of the 2nd. We finally get our second goal 12 minutes from time, Kolev finishing a fine move. White gets a third from a corner to complete the scoring.

FA3 (h) v Truro 2-0 Cramp (pen 46), Kolev (88)

It is one way traffic for most of this game. It takes a Cramp penalty just after half time to give us the lead though. Kolev seals it right at the death, rounding the keeper superbly.

Diddy Cup (a) v Aylesbury 5-0 Smith (12, 82), Martinich (18), Cramp (24), Kolev (75)

It is one way traffic and on 12 minutes, full back Smith volleys in a corner for his first ever goal for the club. Martinich scores a superb individual effort a few minutes later and its not long before Cramp is given time and space in the box for number 3. We have to wait for the 75th minute for Milne to feed Kolev who finishes well. Smith then gets his second, tapping in a freekick.

Ch (a) v Bristol City 0-0

We visit a struggling Bristol City side who sit in 20th place. It is a poor game with neither side looking particularly interested. 0-0 bore draw.

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February

FA4 (h) v Derby County 3-2 Baxter (36), Krog (56), Esposito (76)

For the second season in a row we meet Derby in the FA Cup 4th round. The opening is a non event with very little in the way of goalmouth action. Derby are reduced to 10 men after 24 minutes and we start to build some pressure after this. Baxter opens the scoring on 36 minutes with a superb turn and shot from outside the area. Derby get an undeserved equaliser on half time after a mad scramble in the box. Krog then takes it upon himself to surge into the box and fire an unstoppable shot past the keeper. A fine run by Tong ends when his cross is headed home by Esposito on his return from injury. Derby get a second back at the death to give the scoreline a close feel.

Ch (h) v Wolves 1-2 Baxter (32)

A series of postponements have left us with no game for two weeks until this potential title decider against Wolves. They take the lead on 13 minutes but Baxter equalises after a defensive mix up on 32 minutes. Wolves take a second undeserved lead on half time - their second shot on goal. We have enough chances to win three matches, but can't take any, losing what was the most important game of the season.

Ch (a) v Cardiff 1-3 Cramp (75)

Hugely important game against a side searching for a playoff place. They take the lead on 23 minutes and extend their lead on 33. We look like collapsing and lose a third three minutes later. We do get a goal back, Cramp finishing Espositos cut back with 15 minutes left. Dreadful performance.

Ch (a) v Luton 0-0

Dreadful game - poor finishing. Utter, utter crap.

FA5 (a) v Middlesbrough 0-4

We hold out 58 seconds. The rest is predictable. Abject performance.

Ch (a) v Sheff Wed 1-0 Bender (o.g. 13)

We take the lead in 13 minutes when a defender puts through his own net. It is enough to win us the game as we ride our luck with Wednesday deserving of a lot more out the game.

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March

Ch (h) v Wigan 3-1 Kolev (4, 11), Cramp (80)

Kolev fires us into a 4th minute lead with a superb direct freekick and he makes it 2 from a superb Krog pass in the 11th minute. Wigan pull a goal back in the 65th minute but it is Cramp who scores next, a superb finish in the 80th minute.

Ch (a) v Burnley 2-1 Cramp (19), Tong (84)

1-0 down in 13 minutes which lasts only 6 minutes, Cramp pouncing on a slack back pass. The game is an end to end affair with plenty of chances, but it is Tong who scores, 6 minutes from time with a daisy cutter from the edge of the box. We hold on just, to take a huge 3 points.

Diddy Cup S/F (a) v Chalfont St Peter 5-0 Neville (1, 87), West (o.g. 50), Caridi (58), Cramp (pen 74)

It takes us less that 2 minutes to get on the scoresheet, Neville tapping home Espositos low cross for his first goal for the club. It is an steady procession towards the Chalfont goal although we struggle to find the killer second. We do get it after half-time, Neville's wayward shot deflecting in off a defender. Caridi then makes the game safe on 57 minutes, his long shot slipping under the keeper. Cramp gets number 4 from the spot and Neville gets his second with 4 minutes, heading home our 19th corner of the game.

Ch (a) v Colchester 0-1

We have a shaky start, but settle well, spurning a number of half chances. We are made to pay in the second half with Colchester scoring from a rare attack. We lose a game that we should have won very easily.

Ch (a) v Cheltenham 2-2 Amendola (83), Krog (84)

We play relegation candidates. We are pedestrian for most of this game and two goals in the second half look to consign us to a dreadful result. Amendola heads one in from a corner then Krog walks the ball into the net after a fine move from the resulting kick off to salvage a point.

Ch (h) v Brighton 4-3 Kolev (53, 55, 90+3), Amendola (90)

A must win game for us. I am put through the wringer in this one as the visitors take the lead. Kolev equalises then puts us ahead from the kickoff. Brighton then equalise immediately after Crook drops the ball and they take the lead with 8 minutes left. We head into injury time and Amendola looks to have salvaged a point from a corner. Kolev then completes his hat-trick to win it from a freekick to give us an invaluable 3 points that should be heading back to Brighton.

Ch (a) v Portsmouth 2-0 Milne (31), Caridi (84)

It is an even game until the Pompy keeper has a rush of blood to the head, leaving Milne with an open goal from outside the box. Homegrown Caridi then scores his first league goal for the club, tapping in a corner late on to seal a deserved win.

Ch (a) v Sheff Utd 2-2 Neville (5), Baxter (62)

Neville gets the luck when a header hits him and deflects in on 5 minutes. Utd equalise on the half hour as they dominate. Milne splits the defence with a pass to Baxter who puts us ahead on 61 minutes. We are reduced to ten men due to injury and lose a goal from a corner to cost us the win.

League Table

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April

Ch (h) v Plymouth 2-2 Kolev (46, pen 79)

They have 2 shots at goal. We have 13. A Kolev double salvages a point.

Ch (a) v Newcastle 2-0 Kolev (23, 59)

This is an even end to end game. Kolev opens the scoring, finishing off a superb move, then pounces on a defensive error to give us a priceless away win.

Ch (h) v Preston 4-2 Kolev (5, 81, 90), Krog (50)

We have a great start, Kolev scoring early as we take control of the game. Preston turn the game on its head in a crazy 10 minute spell before half time. Krog then taps in an equaliser after a brilliant move to get us level, then Kolev scores twice in the final 10 minutes to give us the 3 points.

Cg (a) v Swansea 0-4

Word cannot describe how poor we are. 2-0 down in 10 minutes and the game was effectively over. Players were dealt with after this shocking home defeat

Ch (h) v Watford 2-1 Kolev (14), Baxter (90+1)

Kolev fires us into a lead as we dominate the early stages. The goal seems to wake Watford up and they get an equaliser just before half-time. They are by far the better side second half but Baxter pops up to slide the ball home in injury time, keeping our hopes of a promotion spot well and truly alive.

Ch (a) v Barnsley 1-1 Gorman (80)

We are probably the better side for most of this game against a Barnsley side struggling in the league. When they score I fear the worst, but Gorman thumps home a cross to salvage a point late on. Results elsewhere mean that if we win our next game, we are promoted to the Premier League in 2nd place.

Ch (h) v Bolton 1-0 Baxter (18)

Although the scoreline looks close, we control this game from start to finish. Jason Baxter gets the only goal on 18 minutes - a goal that is enough to confirm the clubs promotion to the Premier League for the first time ever. It is great that the goal came from a home grown player.

League Table

[deltablue]

Up you go!

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Up you go!

Was a nice surprise - I have a feeling the Prem isn't going to be quite as forgiving!

May

Ch (a) v West Ham 1-4 Baxter (60)

Had we lost the last game, our season would have gone to the wire with this West Ham side who sit a place below us in the table. Despite taking the lead in the 60th minute we go on to ship 4 goals in the last half our. An experimental side suffers on the break. Poor result.

Diddy Cup Final (h) v Didcot 5-1 Baxter (9, 53, 67), Neville (51), Kolev (70)

Unsurprisingly we win our 7th consecutive Berks & Bucks Senior Cup. It is relentless one way traffic, although it takes us until the 2nd half to put the game to bed. A hatrick by Baxter was the highlight, adding to goals by Neville and Kolev.

Final League Table

Youth Candidates (I forgot about this at the time!)

Three players look like they might have the ability to work their way into the first team eventually. I am considering taking over the u-18's next season to control their development.

Stadium

One extra piece of news that came in the close season is the expansion of Burnham Stadium

This has put us £10m in the red - I really hope we make some money in the Premier League. If we come straight back down we could go into financial meltdown!