Gordon Burns (footballer)

Last updated

Gordon Burns
Gordon Burns (footballer).jpg
Gordon Burns, Troon F.C. Manager (October 2015)
Personal information
Date of birth (1978-12-02) 2 December 1978 (age 45)
Place of birth Glasgow, Scotland
Position(s) Defender
Youth career
1986–1991 Troon Thistle
1991–1992 Prestwick Boys Club
1992–1993 Coylton Boys Club
1993–1995 Ayr United Boys Club
Senior career*
YearsTeamApps(Gls)
1995–2001 Ayr United 28 (2)
1997Glenafton Athletic (loan)
1999Partick Thistle (loan) 6 (0)
2000Troon (loan)
2001–2002 Queen of the South 1 (0)
2002–2003 Peterhead 16 (0)
2003–2005 Kilwinning Rangers
2007–2011 Troon
Managerial career
2015–2017 Troon
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 13:45, 21 February 2018 (UTC)

Gordon Burns (born 2 December 1978) is a Scottish former professional footballer who played in the Scottish First Division for Ayr United. [1]

Contents

Playing career

Burns began his footballing career with local boys club Troon Thistle, and also spent time playing with Prestwick Boys Club & Coylton Boys Club, before joining Ayr United Boys Club. He was scouted by several senior teams and trained with Motherwell, Dundee United, Hearts and Celtic before deciding to sign 'S' forms with Ayr United under Manager George Burley. He left Marr College at 16 to sign a 2-year YTS contract at Somerset Park with Manager Simon Stainrod, before signing his first professional contract at Ayr United at the age of 18.

Ayr United

"Burnsie" began his professional career with his local senior club Ayr United in July 1995 and made an early impact when he made his first team debut at the age of 17 against Berwick Rangers at Shielfield Park. He didn't have to wait long for his first start either, which came at Somerset Park against Raith Rovers when he was just 18.

In 1997, along with fellow starlets Keith Hogg, Neil Scally, Gareth "Bo" Armstrong and Joe Carruth, he enjoyed a spell on loan at Glenafton Athletic under Alan Rough which prepared him for the rough and tumble of Scottish football.

Next season, in February 1998, he was thrown in at the deep end by manager Gordon Dalziel as a versatile youngster in an Ayrshire derby match against Kilmarnock at Somerset Park, with the home side recording a famous 2-0 victory courtesy of an 83rd minute headed goal from Jim Dick & a beautiful lob from Ian Ferguson over the head of Killie keeper Gordon Marshall.

A period of vast investment in the playing squad at Ayr from millionaire Chairman Bill Barr saw the arrivals of high-calibre players such as Neil Duffy, Pat McGinlay, Eddie Annand, John Hughes, James Grady, Andy Walker, Glynn Hurst and Gary Teale. This left youngsters like Burns sidelined, and in 1999 he was signed by legendary Manager John Lambie (footballer, born 1941) for Partick Thistle on loan with a view to a permanent move. He made 6 appearances in an impressive spell, but chances of a permanent move were scuppered when Ayr demanded a transfer fee and he was recalled to Somerset Park.

Burns enjoyed a brief spell at his hometown club Troon F.C. under Manager John Redmond during his rehabilitation from injury in 2000.

After making 28 league appearances for the club, he was released in December 2001 seeking regular first-team football.

Queen of the South

Burns was signed for Queen of the South by Manager John Connolly (Scottish footballer) in December 2001 to supplement a title-chasing squad.

The club won the 2001–02 Scottish Second Division, finishing 8 points clear of Alloa Athletic in 2nd place, but it was a frustrating period for Burns who only made a solitary appearance.

Peterhead

After completing a pre-season campaign with Forfar Athletic in the summer of 2002, Manager Neil Cooper decided against signing Burns permanently, but recommended him to Peterhead Manager Ian Wilson who was delighted to sign him up for the 2002–03 season. This was a hugely enjoyable season for Burns, as he was an integral part of the team who were chasing the Balmoor side's first ever promotion, with the season ending in spectacular fashion as an incredible four sides went into the final day chasing the title. A 1–0 defeat away to Greenock Morton at a packed Cappielow saw Morton crowned champions and East Fife narrowly pip Peterhead to promotion.

Despite enjoying being a first team regular, the travelling from Burns's home in Troon to Peterhead was taking its toll and Burns rejected the offer of a new contract with the club in search for something closer to home.

Kilwinning Rangers

Burns joined the all-conquering Buffs side in July 2003, becoming a key member of the side that went on to win the West of Scotland Super League Premier Division in season 2003-04. The departure of the Management team led by Mark Shanks sparked a remarkable change of fortunes which saw the Abbey Park side relegated the following season to the West of Scotland Super League First Division under new manager Paul Wright.

Burns rejected the offer of a new contract in order to concentrate on a new career, and left Abbey park in the summer of 2005.

Troon

After 2 years out of the game due to work demands, Burns signed for his home-town team Troon in June 2007. Signed by Manager Michael O'Neill, it wasn't long before Burnsie was named Club Captain as he enjoyed some of the best years of his career at Portland Park.

Niggling injuries and work commitments forced an early retirement from playing at the age of 31, although returning Manager John Redmond was keen to utilise Burns's knowledge in a coaching capacity.

Coaching career

After serving on the coaching staff under John Redmond following his retirement from playing, Burns formed part of the new management team with Jimmy Kirkwood when Redmond stepped down in March 2011 and the two oversaw a dramatic overhaul of the club and the playing staff with an emphasis on youth development & attractive football. Results were erratic to begin with, but the improvement was remarkable and a title push was well underway in season 2011-12 with the team narrowly missing out on the second promotion spot by one point. The club went one better in 2012-13, securing second place with weeks to spare after a season long title battle with Kilwinning Rangers and promotion back to the Super League was assured.

Season 2013-14 saw unprecedented success, as the club were crowned the Super League First Division Champions, Ayrshire Cup winners and were also West of Scotland Cup finalists.

Burns became manager of Troon in the summer of 2015, after Jimmy Kirkwood stepped aside due to work pressures, and he led them to their highest ever league finish in his first season in charge as well as an appearance in the Final of the Ardagh Cup. Following the club's relegation from the West of Scotland Super League Premier Division, Burns stood down in May 2017 after 10 years at the club to spend more time with his family. [2]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Troon F.C.</span> Association football club in South Ayrshire, Scotland, UK

Troon Football Club are a Scottish football team based in Ayrshire. They compete in the West of Scotland Football League.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ayr United F.C.</span> Association football club in Scotland

Ayr United Football Club are a football club in Ayr, Scotland, who play in the Scottish Championship, the second tier of the Scottish Professional Football League. Formed in 1910 by the merger of Ayr Parkhouse and Ayr F.C., their nickname is The Honest Men, from a line in the Robert Burns poem "Tam o' Shanter". They play at Somerset Park.

James Duffy is a Scottish football coach and former player, who was most recently the Director of Football at Scottish League Two club Clyde.

Patrick Joseph Gerard Boyle is a Scottish footballer who plays as a left-back. He is player/assistant manager at Gartcairn in the West of Scotland football league after rejecting a new contract at Dumbarton.

Derek Holmes is a Scottish former professional footballer, who played for Heart of Midlothian, Cowdenbeath, Raith Rovers, Ross County, AFC Bournemouth, Carlisle United, Rotherham United, St Johnstone, Queen of the South, Airdrie United, Arbroath and East Fife. He has also had spells managing Wishaw Juniors and Larkhall Thistle.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ryan Stevenson (footballer)</span> Scottish footballer

Ryan Cairns Stevenson is a Scottish former professional footballer who played for Heart of Midlothian and St Johnstone, as well as English side Ipswich Town.

Ayr Football Club was a Scottish Football League club from Ayr, Scotland. They were formed in 1879 by a merger of the Ayr Thistle and Ayr Academicals football clubs. Their initial home ground was Springvale Park, which they left in 1884 to play home fixtures at Beresford Park, which they in turn left in 1888 to move to Somerset Park. Ayr won their first ever game at Somerset Park 3–0 against Aston Villa.

Mark Roberts is a Scottish football player and coach.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Neil McGowan</span> Scottish footballer and coach

Neil William McGowan is a Scottish professional footballer who is currently player/first-team coach in the Scottish Juniors with Troon.

Paul Cairney is a Scottish footballer, who plays as a midfielder.

Mark Campbell is a Scottish association footballer, who last played with Kilwinning Rangers.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Scott Fox</span> Scottish footballer

Scott Fox is a Scottish professional goalkeeper who is a free agent. He has previously played for Celtic, East Fife, Queen of the South, Dundee, Ross County, Partick Thistle, Greenock Morton, Motherwell and Cove Rangers. Fox was selected by Scotland National Football Team manager Gordon Strachan to be part of the national squad to face Norway in 2013.

After relegation to the Third Tier of Scottish Football, Ayr United play in the Second Division with Airdrie United, Alloa Athletic, Brechin City, Dumbarton, East Fife, Forfar Athletic, Livingston, Peterhead and Stenhousemuir. Ayr regained First Division status following promotion via the play-offs, in which Ayr secured a 7–4 aggregate win over Forfar Athletic and a 3–2 aggregate win over Brechin City. Ayr also enjoyed respectable cup runs, progressing to the Quarter-Finals of the Challenge Cup, before being defeated away to Partick Thistle and reaching the Fifth Round of the Scottish Cup, with victories over Junior side, Sunnybank and SPL club, Hibernian before being knocked out by St Mirren of the SPL respectively, However failed to progress beyond Elgin City of the Scottish Football League Third Division in the League Cup.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dougie Ramsay</span> Scottish footballer and coach

Douglas Alexander Ramsay is a Scottish professional footballer, who played in the Scottish Premier League for Motherwell. He is now a coach with Troon in the West of Scotland Football League

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Thomas O'Ware</span> Scottish footballer and manager

Thomas O'Ware is a Scottish professional footballer, who plays for Kelty Hearts in Scottish League Two as a defender. O'Ware has previously played for Greenock Morton and Partick Thistle. He is also the Head Coach of Young Queen's Park, who compete in the SPFL Reserve League.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Declan McDaid</span> Scottish footballer

Declan McDaid is a Scottish footballer who plays as a midfielder for Irish club Bohemians. McDaid started his career as a youth player at Greenock Morton, before being promoted to the club's first team in April 2013. However, McDaid left the club a short time later and signed for (then) Scottish First Division side Partick Thistle in June 2013. After two successful seasons with Ayr United, he signed for Scottish Championship side Dundee in June 2019 and would enjoy promotion to the Scottish Premiership with them in 2021. He would also play for Falkirk on loan.

Dale Keenan is a Scottish professional footballer, who plays for Troon in the West of Scotland Super League First Division.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tom Walsh (footballer)</span> Scottish footballer

Tom Walsh is a Scottish footballer who most recently played for Inverness Caledonian Thistle in the Scottish Championship. He became the youngest player to make an appearance for Rangers in Scottish league football, when he played for them aged 16 in 2012. He also had loan spells with Stenhousemuir, Dumbarton and St Mirren during his Ibrox career. Since leaving Rangers, Walsh has had spells with Limerick in the League of Ireland and Dumbarton. Walsh would spend two years with Inverness in his first spell, before joining Ayr United for a season. He represented Scotland at various youth international levels.

Darren Brownlie is a Scottish footballer who plays as a centre-back for League of Ireland Premier Division side Dundalk. He previously played for Ayr United, Cowdenbeath, Queen of the South and Partick Thistle over two spells.

The 2022–23 season was Dundee's first season back in the second tier of Scottish football after being relegated from the previous season's Premiership. Dundee also competed in the Scottish League Cup, the Scottish Cup and the Scottish Challenge Cup.

References

  1. "Burns, Gordon 1998-99". The Partick Thistle History Archive. Archived from the original on 11 December 2015. Retrieved 21 October 2015.
  2. "Gordon Burns has ended a 10-year association with Troon". Ayr Advertiser. 24 May 2017. Retrieved 21 February 2018.