Steve Burr
Encyclopedia
Steve Burr is a former English
footballer and current manager of Conference National
side Kidderminster Harriers
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.
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.
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.
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 Harriers who themselves went on to make Wembley
.
His somewhat magical touch continued to rub off - 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
.
. This earned him the division's Manager of the Month 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. This was clarified when Burr and assistant Gary Whild both signed contract extensions to the end of the 2013-14 season. The Harriers went on to finish sixth in the Conference, one place outside the play-offs, after slipping to defeats late in the season at home to Darlington
and away to Rushden & Diamonds
and suffering a points deduction after financial problems off the field.
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
footballer and current manager of Conference National
Conference National
Conference National is the top division of the Football Conference in England. It is the highest level of the National League System and fifth highest of the overall English football league system...
side Kidderminster Harriers
Kidderminster Harriers F.C.
Kidderminster Harriers F.C. are an English football club based in Kidderminster, Worcestershire formed in 1886 They currently play in the Conference National and have played at Aggborough Stadium since they were formed...
Playing career
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
Northern Premier League Premier Division
The Premier Division is the top division of the Northern Premier League. It is at Step 3 of the National League System, placing it six divisions below the Premier League...
, 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
FA Trophy
The Football Association Challenge Trophy, commonly known as the FA Trophy, is a knockout cup competition in English football, run by and named after The Football Association and competed for primarily by semi-professional teams...
Final appearances.
Nuneaton Borough/Hucknall Town
He 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. He left Nuneaton after their relegation from the ConferenceFootball Conference
The Football Conference is a football league in England which consists of three divisions called Conference National, Conference North, and Conference South. Some Football Conference clubs are fully professional, such as Luton Town, but most of them are semi-professional...
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
Northern Premier League Premier Division
The Premier Division is the top division of the Northern Premier League. It is at Step 3 of the National League System, placing it six divisions below the Premier League...
title in his sole season at the club in 2003/04.
Northwich Victoria
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
Conference North
The Conference North also known as Blue Square Bet North for sponsorship reasons, is a division of the Football Conference in England, taking its place immediately below the Conference National. Along with Conference South it is at Step 2 of the National League System and the sixth overall tier of...
Championship. Along the way, he took his side to the Third Round of the FA Cup
FA Cup
The Football Association Challenge Cup, commonly known as the FA Cup, is a knockout cup competition in English football and is the oldest association football competition in the world. The "FA Cup" is run by and named after The Football Association and usually refers to the English men's...
and a dream date with Premier League side Sunderland A.F.C, and was voted Manager of the Season.
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 Harriers who themselves went on to make Wembley
Wembley
Wembley is an area of northwest London, England, and part of the London Borough of Brent. It is home to the famous Wembley Stadium and Wembley Arena...
.
Stalybridge Celtic
Burr finally left troubled Vics that summer, but understandably he was not out of work for long, as he was quickly unveiled as manager of Stalybridge Celtic.His somewhat magical touch continued to rub off - Burr took his new side all the way to the Conference North
Conference North
The Conference North also known as Blue Square Bet North for sponsorship reasons, is a division of the Football Conference in England, taking its place immediately below the Conference National. Along with Conference South it is at Step 2 of the National League System and the sixth overall tier of...
play-off Final in 2008, only to be beaten by a single goal as Barrow went on to claim promotion to the Conference National
Conference National
Conference National is the top division of the Football Conference in England. It is the highest level of the National League System and fifth highest of the overall English football league system...
.
Kidderminster Harriers
His appointment as Kidderminster Harriers manager on a two-and-a-half 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 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-off's and progressed to the semi-finals of the FA TrophyFA Trophy
The Football Association Challenge Trophy, commonly known as the FA Trophy, is a knockout cup competition in English football, run by and named after The Football Association and competed for primarily by semi-professional teams...
. This earned him the division's Manager of the Month 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
Grimsby Town F.C.
Grimsby Town Football Club is an English football club based in the seaside town of Cleethorpes, in North East Lincolnshire, England, who compete in the Conference National. They were formed in 1878 as Grimsby Pelham and later became 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. This was clarified when Burr and assistant Gary Whild both signed contract extensions to the end of the 2013-14 season. The Harriers went on to finish sixth in the Conference, one place outside the play-offs, after slipping to defeats late in the season at home to Darlington
Darlington F.C.
Darlington Football Club is a professional association football club based in Darlington, County Durham, currently playing in the Conference National. The club was founded in 1883, and originally played its games at Feethams, before moving to the Darlington Arena in 2003...
and away to Rushden & Diamonds
Rushden & Diamonds F.C.
Rushden & Diamonds Football Club was an association football club based in Irthlingborough, Northamptonshire, England. Formed by a merger of Rushden Town and Irthlingborough Diamonds in 1992, the club played in the Conference National following a short spell in the Football League at the start of...
and suffering a points deduction after financial problems off the field.