Dave Dempsey says Burscough must improve but insists there is a long-term plan in place.
The former Widnes boss became the new Linnets boss in November as he was tasked with steering the club further away from the drop zone.
At the Burscough Community Ground, there has been a number of changes in the dugout in the last two years. The frequent changes around the squad second from bottom, spared by one relegation place this season, but the threat of relegation still remains.
As it stands, Linnets are nine points clear of struggling rivals Skelmersdale United with 16 games remaining. The early days of the Dempsey era have had their positive moments but have had their frustrating results and the Burscough manager concedes that things could be be better but the work had to start from scratch.
“I’ve never managed in this league, I’ve managed the one below and the one above, it’s a different challenge compared to the last couple of jobs but it’s one that we’re enjoying,” he told Off The Park. “We realise it’s a long-term project and not quick fix, it’s a tougher start than we first envisaged with previous experience of going into clubs and seeing results change instantly, managing to work with players that are already made, putting our own stamp on it but this job has been almost starting from scratch.
“We’ve had to bring in a lot of players, which brings its own struggles, with lads settling in. It’s been a real transition on the pitch, I’m not going to turnaround and say I’m happy with, although we’ve won a few games here and there and picked up a great draw against Bury and win over Charnock Richard, we are competing. We’re going into games and people have an expectation that we can win – from what I’ve heard, that wasn’t around the club before we came in – there’s small steps in the right direction.
“We need to realise it’s a long-term plan and won’t change overnight, we’ll put it right and hopefully see a better Burscough next season.”
Burscough have an illustrious history but the record books recently paint a bleak picture following their slump down the divisions. Despite the recent disappointment, the support has remained and provisions off the pitch provide a positive outlook after the addition of their artificial pitch and the recently opened clubhouse.
Dempsey believes there are building blocks in place, as well as reassurance from the boardroom, but they have to earn results on the pitch.
He added: “I don’t need to tell everyone how many managers or players have been through the door, the board’s changed, there’s been so much change within the club. You only have to look at the demise of Burscough, the days of playing Gillingham in the FA Cup and in the Conference North with Liam Watson, Burscough as a football club has had good years but recently, it’s dropped down and had lost its identity whereas now that identity is back.
“The board is working hard to put the club in a strong position off the pitch, the pitch they have is a great way to raise income, it’s all aligned with the way the club wants to move forward. Now is having the time and stability to allow the footballing side to align with how it’s moving off the pitch.
“We are all aware that there has been a difference, we’ve been told that there is progression but it’s time to give back to them and make sure we win some games of football.
“The word is objective and that’s to stay in the league,” Dempsey added. “We’re nine points clear now ahead of Skem, we still have to play them twice, I’m not going to say it’ll be easy, there’s other teams who have had a dip around us but it is one that could right the way down to the wire.
“Alternatively, with a good month or two and win those important games at home, we could be safe in the next five or six weeks but it’s about getting those results, if not we have to be ready for that dogfight. The objective is to avoid relegation, that’s what it was at the start of the season, I felt like we’d have picked up more points than what we have but the players are capable of getting the club out of this situation, we’re confident of that and I’m ambitious for next season.”
