FORMER Burnham manager Alan Paris admits the writing was on the wall for him after Lee Ebden failed with his takeover bid.

Paris replaced Mark Betts in the dugout when Ebden was named as club Chairman back in October, but he has failed to take full control at The Gore.

Paris argues that left him without the necessary backing with Burnham bottom in the Hellenic Premier Division and six points from safety upon his departure.

He told the Observer: “Lee had a lot of plans for the club and I took over for the academy next season that he spoke to me about.

“He brought in a couple of young professionals from Queens Park Rangers and had plans for an academy next season.

“But, Lee never took over, and this has been in the pipeline since Christmas.

“When he didn’t complete his takeover I probably should have left. I wanted to leave at the same time but had already brought players in so felt loyal to them.

“There was no backing or structure at the club and no-one on the commercial side to bring sponsors in.

Slough Observer:

PHOTO: Bracknell celebrate one of their two goals in the victory over Burnham at Larges Lane.

“We looked like a Sunday team with no tracksuits or anything in place to attract players coming in.”

Paris took charge of his final match when Burnham suffered a 2-0 defeat against Bracknell Town at Larges Lane on Saturday.

The Blues did their best to frustrate Bracknell but failed to respond to an own goal and a strike from TJ Bohane in the second half.

“To be fair, we had no luck go our way,” bemoaned Paris. “We lost our centre back in the warm-up so had to shuffle the team around.

“Bracknell looked frustrated but unfortunately for us an own goal broke the deadlock and we were down to 10-men at that time so it was difficult.”

Paris was replaced as manager by former Flackwell Heath boss Paul Shone on Tuesday, and it is believed others have joined the club at boardroom level.

Shone has been tasked to keep The Blues in the Premier Division and is preparing for a visit to The Gore from Royal Wootton Bassett this Saturday (3pm).

Commenting on the new set-up, Paris said: "The football club has been taken over and they've got their own plan in place for managing the side.

Slough Observer:

PHOTO: Burnham (blue and white) suffered a 2-0 defeat at Bracknell on Saturday.

"I know the people coming in are football people so the club should be good. They'll probably start to bring their own people in and I know they've a lot of contacts in the game.

Paul knows the league and has got players of his own to bring in, so Burnham should still be able to win four or five of the games remaining.

"We were looking very good in parts so they'll only have to tweak things a little, but you don't get any luck when you're down toward the bottom. That's the way the season has gone, I was never able to put out my strongest team."

On his own future, Paris added: "I've got my own academy to bring grassroots players into teams and I will continue to do that.

"Although I probably will not manage I will continue to work with younger players and get them into clubs."

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