A familiar face returns as 1874 Northwich's new assistant manager

1874 NORTHWICH’S new assistant manager is a very familiar face.

Steve Burr brought halcyon days to the town during his time as Northwich Victoria manager and now, he is back to help with 1874’s rebuild.

The 64-year-old has been confirmed as new Greens manager Chris Herbert’s assistant, with the club striving to immediately bounce back having been relegated from the Northern Premier League.

It is a role reversal for the two, with Herbert having worked as part of Burr’s backroom team during his spell as Chester manager in a coaching and recruitment role.

He will be known by all at 1874 and the town at large, however, for his glorious tenure as Vics boss between 2004 and 2007 which saw the club win the Conference North title and reach the third round of the FA Cup to secure a dream tie away at Premier League side Sunderland as well as getting to the FA Trophy semi-finals.

That spell forms part of an impressive CV for a man long since considered one of non-league’s finest managers, with Kidderminster Harriers, Southport, Stafford Rangers and Hereford also among his former clubs.

More recently, he has moved away from the coaching sphere having held scouting positions at Fleetwood Town and Hull City.

"It’s come out of the blue a little bit," said Burr.

"I know Chris from my days at Chester and I’ve kept a look-out for the club over the years from afar and I’m sorry to see where they are.

"If I can help out in any way, shape or form to help get them moving back in the right direction, I’m only too happy to do that.

"Obviously last season wasn’t great, but this year we want to be up there.

"I know Chris has been champing at the bit to get back in and I’m pleased for him.

"If I can help him improve as a manager, I’m here to do whatever he wants me to do.

"My managing days are over so to help Chris in whatever he wants me to do, I’m there for him.

"As a pair, we’ll work well together as we know and trust each other."

Burr joins the previously-announced pair of Mark Reed and Mark Corbett as part of Herbert's management team for the new season at Townfield Lane.

Reed, who remains Buxton's all-time leading goalscorer having struck 251 goals for the club, has arrived as first-team coach while Corbett is the club's new goalkeeping coach.

And Herbert is delighted with the coaching team he has put together but says the real winners will be the players.

“Bringing Steve to the club is a real coup - he is legend with the 74 fans and this really shows our intentions for this season,” he said.

“Steve has a wealth of knowledge and experience, from being assistant manager for the England’s C squad, to managing Chester and Kidderminster Harriers in the National League.

“The real winners with the appointment of Steve Burr, Mark Reed and Mark Corbett are the players.

“They will only learn and improve from the knowledge and experience of these guys, and it’s our job to make sure this happens and quickly so we can hit the ground running at the start of the season.”