AFC Totton
GOALSCORING WINGER MATTY BURROWS, who has been on loan at the Snows Stadium from Weymouth since mid-November, has committed his future to AFC Totton by agreeing to a permanent transfer and signing a new contract that will tie him to the club for the next few years.
The Sheffield-born 20-year-old made an immediate impact upon joining The Stags by scoring just six minutes into his Southern League Div.1 South debut in the 5-3 victory against Westbury United, just over a month ago. And he followed that with an excellent midweek away-day display at Cinderford Town, where he created two and scored the last goal in an emphatic 6-1 triumph.
If he wasn’t already becoming a firm fan favourite by that time, then his four-goal haul and the dynamic manner of his performance in the big win against Tavistock AFC by the same score on Saturday 26 November will have definitely endeared him to the Snows Stadium faithful, who will no doubt be as delighted as Manager Jimmy Ball to have secured the young wing wizard on a permanent basis.
“You can do all the scouting you like and speak to as many people in football whose opinions you trust to work out whether you think a player is going to fit into your team and into the way you want to play. But, at the end of the day, the only way to be sure is to put them on the pitch and see how well they do,” explained The Stags boss.
“Matty has absolutely hit the ground running. I thought we were playing some good football before he arrived but we all felt there was something missing in the final third that was preventing us from turning possession into goals. Matty has fitted straight into the team and added the extra ingredient we needed. Not only is he contributing goals, but the extra dimension he’s added to our attacking play has helped other players to express themselves, as well. That’s what good players can do for a side, and I’m delighted that the club has backed me and my coaching staff by taking that extra step to secure Matty on a longer-term deal.”
Having already been on the watch list of several clubs from the National League down to the Southern League Premier, Matty’s impressive performances while on loan with The Stags had generated more intense interest from several clubs higher up the English Football Pyramid. Aware this was the case, the AFC Totton Board moved quickly to negotiate a permanent deal with Weymouth for an undisclosed fee, motivated to do so on the advice of Jimmy Ball and his Assistant Manager Paul Masters, as well as the player himself, who was adamant that he wanted to stay.
“I’ve been at Totton for just over a month and, to be honest, it’s gone even better than I’d hoped. This is a very good team that’s playing well and winning matches, and the way we play really suits my game,” said the former Balti Sports and Portland United winger.
“It’s great to be playing regular first team football, and I’m enjoying working under Jimmy and Paul, who have already helped me to develop my game and bring the best out of me. We have an excellent set-up at this club with great facilities and a lovely pitch to play on, and everything we need to go and win football matches. We’ve done well enough over the last few games to put ourselves in the title race and I’m really pleased that I’m going to be able to see that through and hopefully win some silverware and help to get this club promoted.”
The AFC Totton Board would like to put on record their thanks to their counterparts at Weymouth Football Club, who have allowed this deal to go through swiftly, with the best interests of the player himself at the forefront of all discussions.
The Stags are currently second in the Southern League Div.1 South, with games in-hand over all of their promotion rivals. They face midtable side Willand Rovers at the Snows Stadium this afternoon, when they will be looking to extend their 11-match unbeaten league run.
By Ben Rochey-Adams
Images courtesy of Craig Hobbs Photography
