The Big Interview – Joe Burns, First Team Manager

QUICK FIRE 5:
1. Favourite team(s) supported: Everton
2. Favourite player past or present: Tim Cahill
3. Highlight of the season with Maghull: Having Jordan Holmes fit and ready for the start of the season.
4. Favourite drink: Lager / Spiced Rum
5. Biggest influence on your life in coaching: Mark Philips old Brit manager.

Q: As a Player, what were your main attributes and where did your career take you?
I tried to push myself as much as I could when playing, I played for Formby, that was the highest level I played at. Loved it there and played in the preliminary rounds of the FA cup.

Q: What has been your coaching journey to get you to this position?
I had to stop playing at 28 years old, I had back problems. So the Sunday team I played for lost their manager and I took over that, we had a great team, loads of quality players, we played in a tough league which was then the Liverpool Sunday league. During that time I managed my sons team as a temporary manager and then Maghull approached me and obviously I gratefully accepted the job.

Q: How long have you been associated with Maghull FC and what attracted you to the position as First Team Manager?
I played my first game for Maghull FC at the age of 19, I got asked by a guy called Derek Salts to come up, and I was sub for the first game, I got on for the last 15 minutes. I went on to play for the reserve team and then the first team over my time at the club, I loved it from day one really, loved the people who were involved and loved playing for John McInness who actually nearly 12/13 years later made Maghull first team manager.

Q: What attributes do you look for in your players / teams?
I have made massive mistakes with this, over time I have got better with the judgement, but in hindsight nothing has changed much. I look for players that are hard working, tough, leaders, charismatic and most of all good people. At this level If you get all of the above then you won’t keep them for long.

I like my teams to be fit, hard working and able to play good football, I like a team that has leaders in it and big characters, lads who will put their body on the line for you, trying to find that balance from being good going forward and being tight at the back has been challenging especially this season, but we have shown glimpses of it at times and looked really good.

Q: Can you introduce your coaching team and the roles they play?
Yes, ANTHONY PRICE, my ex centre half partner and neighbour!!! We grew up together although I was a few years older. I brought ‘Pricey’ to the club as a player first, he was a fantastic player and great leader, he is my assistant at the moment. He has a brilliant understanding of the game and is a lot calmer the me, it’s needed that’s for sure!! Ha.
ANDY CULSHAW who is first team coach, Andy originally joined the club with the reserve team who supported Mikey Cummings. He did a fantastic job along with Mikey who doesn’t get the credit he deserves. I noticed Andy stratify from the start, he is a fantastic coach and even better person, he has a huge desire to improve players and puts on some fantastic sessions, he is a massive coupe for the club and will be an important part of our future.

Q: How are the first team performing versus your expectations at the start of the season?
I will be honest I wanted to go out and win the league this season, after South Liverpool leaving I felt we had a great chance. Our start was so disappointing and really set us back, we had great players but the balance wasn’t right. It took us about 8 games to finally find a system that suited us, by then we had lost ground on some great teams around us. It was so disappointing because I knew we had the players to compete, but even in this league if you don’t pick the points up then it’s a long hard season.

Q: With just under 5 games left, what are your own realistic ambitions for the end of the season between now and then?
I want us to go unbeaten really, we have some tough games but I honestly feel even though we can’t win the league we can still prove the point that we are definitely still one of the best teams in the league on our day.

Q: Have any clubs in the league impressed you this season?
Yes, two teams actually. The first was Mersey Royal, we played them first game of the season and run us off the park, in every department they were better, it finished 3-1 and was an eye opener for me, but I knew they would go on and win the league, looks like that will happen now.
Secondly is FC Bootle, they had a few ex Maghull players, they have had a brilliant season, picked up some massive points and are in the mix, lots of good lads and players amongst them so fair play because I think loads had them down as a kid table side before it all kicked off. Mark Madden is their standout I think, great lad and superb player.

Q: When does planning for next season begin and what does it look like?
My planning for next season began when it was obvious we wasn’t strong enough for this season, I always like to be early. We have to be competing next season.

Q: What advice would you give to young talent as they emerge from the youth set up to play open age football?
The youth today is different than when I played, today they are a lot more impatient, if they don’t play they leave. Players need to realise their potential at each level, whether that’s at this level, one above or one below. Give us time and try to understand your own personal ability and the teams / Clubs position in helping you progress.

Q: And finally, what advice would you give to other coaches and aspiring first team managers as they work through their badges to develop themselves and the next generation of players for the club?
I would say, enjoy every minute of the journey, you want get everything right but you have to learn from your mistakes. You have to make them mistakes. As I said at the start about Mark Phillips, he told me never get to carried away when you win, and don’t be to down hearted when you lose.