BURNHAM United manager Steven Hainsby admitted he was disappointed to see the season voided, but still believes his side had enjoyed a “fantastic” campaign, writes Richard Browne.

The 2019/20 Somerset County League season has ended prematurely due to the coronavirus pandemic, with all results expunged.

Burnham sat third in Division 1, with games in hand on the teams above them, at the end of a positive campaign which saw them go unbeaten in the league from August until the end of October.

Denied a potential promotion push, Hainsby feels the league had little option but to write the season off.

“They didn’t really have a choice,” he told the Burnham & Highbridge Weekly News.

“Of course we’re disappointed - we’re in a good position in the league - but it’s the right decision.

“With everything that’s going on, football has to take a back seat, and we understand that.

“We’re in the Somerset Senior Cup semi-finals, and are still waiting to hear about that - maybe the games could go ahead at the start of next season.”

Reflecting on the year, Hainsby added: “We’ve had a fantastic season.

“We’ve built a good squad, had some blips as every team does, but the squad was great to be around with the camaraderie that they have.

“We’ve been very successful, so as the manager I’m so proud of them - they’ve worked so hard.

“I’ve been most pleased with the gelling of the side, with new players and other players coming back.

“They’ve developed a never-say-die attitude, and played for each other.

“Russell Holley, our captain, leads by example and the other lads feed off that.”

Could Burnham achieve promotion next season (whenever it is safe to start playing again)?

“Next year we will aim to carry on as we’ve done this year, and try to cut out the little mistakes,” Hainsby said.

“Our main aim is to build a team and a club that people in the area can be proud of - and we’re getting there.

“The lads are eager to come back again, and achieve what we should have achieved this last season.

“I believe we would have been promoted this year, so we’re ready to go again.

“On behalf of myself and the club, I hope that everyone in the area stays safe, and we look forward to seeing them all back at the club soon.”