BURNHAM manager Paul Shone is confident the club can now move forward after the completed takeover from Nash Bashir, Tristan Lewis and Glenn Skivington.

The trio are expected to takeover at the end of the season from Club President, Malcolm Higton, Vice Chairman and Treasurer Rod Saunders plus Secretary, Michael Boxall, who will all retire from their positions.

Shone replaced ex-manager Alan Paris back in February put could not keep Burnham in the Hellenic Premier Division, finishing bottom with just 21 points from 38 matches.

However, he explained the future is bright at The Gore, with promotion back into the Premier Division next season a 'must'.

Shone told the Observer: "Talks were ongoing when I arrived but it was the reason I came to the club and now things have been finalised it's a real positive for the club.

"You need a younger and more enthusiastic environment to take the club forward. That's no disrespect to the people that were here previously, they still want the club to do well, but in reality they've struggled to move the club forward.

"Nash and his team are football people and want to do well. It's a very good move for the guys involved and something to look forward to.

"I've known him for a long time and have a good understanding of the picture for what he wants to do at the club.

"I can only see the club going in one place and that's back up. Only good things are going to happen at the club now.

"The future is bright but if relegation is confirmed then going up is a must. That has got to happen."

Burnham were due to play Flackwell Heath in the Hellenic Supplementary Cup final last weekend but the match was cancelled after it was found that The Blues and beaten semi-finalists Highworth Town had fielded an ineligible player in the competition.

Gary Reeves is Secretary at Burnham and admitted the club had made an 'honest mistake' but believes the Hellenic League need to address the rule for future seasons.

Shone commented: "It is a poor ruling from our point of view because it's a totally different competition to the one the player had previously too part in.

"It's very disappointing and what grinds us is why had it only been picked up in the week leading up to the final.

"It's poor from our perspective, especially for the out-going people at the club. To get to a cup final would have softened the blow to the poor season we've had.

"It was a genuine mistake after a change in management and players. I'm normally quite up on that sort of thing but the player appeared in a totally different competition so I see no issue with it."

He added: God only knows what the league will do but I can't see the final being played now, which is a shame because the ingredients were there to make for a good cup final."

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