CANARIES CAN SOAR – BURKE

BETVICTOR SOUTHERN LEAGUE

- John Lyons

THEY were also-rans this season, but Hitchin Town boss Mark Burke believes his side can shoot for glory next term.

When the curtain came down prematurely on the BetVictor Southern Premier Central last month, the Canaries were a lowly 17th in the table.

They were well clear of relegation danger, but also a long way off the play-off places.

It wouldn’t suggest to outsiders that Hitchin would be in the mix next season – whenever that gets underway – but Burke believes there are a few factors that could shift momentum.

The first is the way his troops were playing before the shutdown and the second is that they’ve given early indications that they are keen to continue at Top Field.

“Since January we’d been in good form – we were averaging two points a game,” said Hitchin legend Burke, who took the reins in 2013.

“We put together a little squad I’m happy with and I’m trying to keep it under wraps. I’m hoping we can keep at least the nucleus of the squad together – they enjoyed themselves in that run we had and they are saying they are happy to stick around.”