Superstitious Dartford boss Tony Burman rewarded for putting award on ice
by Tony Hudd
Dartford's Tony Burman may have set
a precedent in asking that his August manager-of-the-month award be
presented after, rather than before, Dartford’s home game against
Hendon last Saturday.
All recipients, from the Premier
League downwards, have long come to regard the accolade as a
poisoned chalice as defeat immediately tends to follow the manager
on whom the award is bestowed.
Burman afterwards claimed his
decision served the best interests of the club, who beat Hendon 5-0
to move five points clear at the top of the Ryman League Premier
Division.
"I don’t know if other winners have
asked to receive the award after a match but, given the chance, I
would ask for the same again," he said.
Burman may have questioned his
judgement after Darts missed an early penalty before the side
emerged overwhelming winners.
Jay May created the desired impact
by scoring twice after arriving as a 74th-minute substitute and
fellow substitute Lee Noble got his name on the scoresheet,
too.
"I would have liked to have given
John Beales a run-out," said Burman, "but I didn’t think it would
be right to change the defence."
Burman saluted the club’s
supporters for another attendance in excess of 1,000, way above the
divisional average.
Dartford turn their attention to
the FA Cup and a first qualifying round tie at Chipstead this
Saturday. At stake for the winners is £3,000 in FA prize money.
Wednesday, September 09 2009