Salford City have recalled Luke Burgess from a successful loan spell at National League North club AFC Fylde.
Luke Burgess Returns to Salford
Loan Cut Short
The return of Luke Burgess is hugely disappointing for AFC Fylde. Although he is a winger, Burgess managed to score three goals in only four games for The Coasters. His first was during their FA Cup Second Qualifying Round victory over Hyde United. He then grabbed a brace as AFC Fylde overcame Farsley Celtic in an FA Cup Third Round Qualifier.
21-year-old Burgess is highly regarded at Salford. Consequently, AFC Fylde had considered themselves extremely lucky to have secured the winger on loan until January. He arrived at Mill Farm having previously been coached by their assistant manager, Nick Chadwick, when the pair were together at Wigan Athletic.
At the time of Burgess’ signing, the AFC Fylde manager Jim Bentley was of optimism, as he spoke to the Blackpool Gazette.
“Luke (Burgess) is highly regarded and is an exciting talent. Nick Chadwick worked with him at Wigan and rates him very highly.
“He has been doing well at Salford and I am pleased they have let us have him on loan,” said Bentley in August.
Burgess spent three years at Wigan Athletic, where he made just five appearances. However, in January 2020, following loan spells at Chorley and Barrow, he left Wigan permanently to join Salford. He has yet to make his debut for Salford, although the premature ending of the 2019/20 season did not help his cause.
Finally, Burgess might not have to wait much longer before his bow for the Greater Manchester-based club.
New Manager
However, it is quite possible that when Salford next play, they could have a new permanent manager in place. The current favourite with the bookmakers is Richie Wellens, who is by far the leading candidate according to the odds. At present, Wellens is the manager of League One club Swindon Town.
If Wellens were to leave Swindon, this would see him drop back into League Two management. However, there is logic behind this linking of Wellens to the Salford vacancy. Former Manchester United players David Beckham, Gary and Phil Neville, Paul Scholes and Nicky Butt are now the part owners of Salford City. One of the reasons for Wellens’ inability to prove a success at Old Trafford, was because as a youth team player, he was unable to oust Beckham, Scholes or Butt from the first team.
As well as Swindon Town standing in the way of any potential move to Wellens, he could find that Scholes is another. Currently, Scholes is the interim Head Coach of Salford. Last Saturday, he oversaw City’s draw with Crawley Town to give Scholes a four-point return from a possible nine. Whether the former Oldham Athletic manager wants another permanent return to management is unclear.
Salford City were due to face Scunthorpe United on Tuesday night. However, the match was postponed due to eight Scunthorpe United players testing positive for COVID-19.
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