We're not splashing the cash anymore, says Burnettt - EXCLUSIVE

Wayne Burnett believes his Fisher Athletic side can still win promotion from the Blue Square Southern, with a smaller budget than his main rivals, writes Stephen McCartney.

The 36-year-old returned to the club following a stint at landlords’ Dulwich Hamlet, where he produced an attack minded side that missed out on the Ryman League Division One South play-off’s last season.

Burnett, however, returns to Fisher without the luxury’s that he enjoyed during his first spell at the club.

“The boots’ on the other foot now,” he said EXCLUSIVELY to www.kentishfootball.co.uk following their 3-1 win over Ryman Premier League side Maidstone United in a farcical match that finished nine-a-side yesterday.

“We had two seasons at Fisher where they had top-paid players and everyone was gunning to beat them, but it’s not like that anymore now.

“We’re not the favourites to go up, we’re the underdogs as such, so there’s no pressure on us at all.

“We’ll go there and perform and do the very best we can.”

The former Grimsby Town star, admitted that Lewes, Eastleigh, Havant & Waterlooville, Bromley and Dorchester Town, will all be fighting for top spot.

“I think certainly Lewes, I think Eastleigh for sure,” he said. “I think they’ve got a great chance of winning it - Havant & Waterlooville, Bromley, Dorchester, so I think there’s probably a dozen teams who probably have a great chance of probably winning the title.”

With less than two weeks to go before the big kick-off, and a trip to promoted side, Maidenhead United, Burnett has yet decided on his starting eleven for the 11^th August clash.

“I’m unsure of all eleven at the moment,” he admitted. “They’re all still fighting for places so competition for places is healthy and hopefully come the 11^th August, I’ll have an idea on what my squad’s going to be.”

Burnett spoke of his aspirations for the new campaign, and issued a rallying cry to the people of south London to watch his free-flowing side entertain.

“We’re going to get promotion,” he insisted. “We’re going out to win every game, because my football teams play attacking football, so we won’t be going to get any draws.

“I’ve got a squad of very, very talented players. Very young, very enthusiastic and very hard working.

“They have a mental toughness and a desire and that will come out in the end and show what a good football team we are.”

On returning to the club, he added: “I’m very good friends with the owners at Fisher. I went away and I was asked to come back - I was head-hunted.

“It’s changed a bit because the personnel’s changed. We’ve got a whole new squad and up-to three weeks ago, people didn’t even know each other, so there needs to be a certain amount of cohesion within a football team, but we’re getting there, we’re getting a bond and it’s looking ok at the moment.”

Burnett believes the good, attractive football that he’s side is playing, will attract more fans to Champion Hill, the ground they share with Ryman League Division One South club, Dulwich Hamlet.

He said: “We try to play attractive football but firstly we set out to win football matches.

“If we can play attractive football in the process, then so be it. But firstly, we set out to win football matches but my philosophy is to pass the football around, and that’s what we’ll continue to do.

“It will be nice (to get more fans to watch us). The team can only certainly make that happen by attracting supporters and fans alike by playing the correct way that I believe it should be played, and winning football matches and if we’re at the top of the league, I’m sure we’ll get more people through the turnstiles.”

Visit Fisher Athletic’s website: www.fisherathletic.co.uk

Fisher Athletic v AFC Wimbledon
Pre-Season Friendly
Tuesday 31^st July 2007
Kick Off 7:45pm
At Champion Hill Stadium, Dog Kennel Hill, Edgar Kail Way, East Dulwich, London SE22 8BD