“Burr from the Bridge
“Steve Burr wrote these exclusive notes for the Correspondent after it was announced his contract wasn’t being renewed for the 2018-19 season.
“I would like to start by saying I have no regrets about coming back. Stalybridge Celtic is still a wonderful club and will always hold fond memories.
“Things did not work out like I thought they would due to a lot of circumstances that have been well documented during the season, and I am disappointed not to have delivered the goods.
“The club has an absolutely smashing chairman, Rob Gorski; vice-chairman, Syd White, others on the board, backroom staff and supporters. The players’ commitment, especially since the turn of the year, when we needed it by the nature of how the fixtures turned out, was in abundance.
“You also have to remember that we aren’t full-time professionals and our players also hold down jobs.
“I have always built sides with a good team spirit, but this is as good as any I have had while managing Chester, Southport, Kidderminster or Nuneaton.
“I would also like to thank the academy and reserve players who have been thrown in at the deep end. It has been tough for the youngsters but they have always given their best.
“I had a chat with the chairman about three weekends ago and told him I would not be staying. I knew the club would have to make cutbacks and it was time for me to step down and allow Celtic to regroup and find a level they can afford to pay and bring in players.
“The most important thing is the football club keeps going.
“We had to cut back during the second half of the season. It has not been an easy one and the supporters will probably have been as gobsmacked as myself.
“We have played some really good football, especially at home, and had some terrific performances against the top teams. But there have also been some bad ones.
“I spoke to Rob Gorski and there has been no fall-out. I wished him all the best. Hopefully he can restructure the club to go in another direction.
“The club was in freefall when I arrived and I am proud to have turned it around and stopped it. Let’s hope all the bad luck has been used up and fortunes change.
“I have a couple of offers on the table for next season, which is nice, and I will look at them as I definitely want to carry on in management.”