Wes Burns – who is also known as Mr. Versatile these days – has had a season he won’t forget in a flash after playing 44 games for the club, scoring nine goals, and picking up four awards overall in the two Awards Evenings.
With claiming Player of the Year, Goal of the Season and Official Supporters Club Player of the Season, Burns reflects on what has been his best season yet in his young footballing career.
The 24-year-old signed a new deal with the club in April, and reflected on the last ten months when he sat down to speak before heading for his off-season break.
On the season…
“I have had a good season, which has probably been my best season since signing my first professional contract. I have made over 40 appearances this year and for me that is a great return bit I am really just proud of where I have come from.”
“The games I have started is a highlight of mine this year and to score eight goals whilst playing in multiple positions. I have played in a more defensive role in recent weeks and maybe if I more time in attacking positions, I might have got to that ten mark.
“The goal for me was to just have my own stamp on the season and make an impressive on the pitch. My goal for next year is to improve and be even better than what I have been this season.”
On the picking up the three awards…
“I am honoured to have received the awards I did at the Fans’ Awards Night and for me that was the cherry on top of the icing. It is one of the awards that you want to win as a player as it’s probably the biggest alongside Players’ Player of the Year because you get the respect from your teammates.
“Every award you win is a proud moment because people are recognising the work that you’re putting in day in day out so to get the Official Supporters’ Club award was a great achievement. The fans have been superb with me since I arrived and I really can’t thank them enough.
“With the Goal of the Season award, it is always nice to score against your local rivals and for that to win the award, it’s a brilliant part that will go along with that day because we won 3-2.
“If you showed me that goal and somebody else has scored it, I would have said I wouldn’t be able to score that but for it to happen to me and for me to be the one to opening the scoring, it’s a great feeling.”
On the number of different positions played…
“It is always good to be able to play in multiple positions as it can give you the chance to stay on the pitch a little bit longer as you can switch around the field and play. What is good is that it shows that we can adapt in matches and with the likes of Lewie [Coyle] and Ash Hunter showing they can do the same, it gives us options and makes us flexible as a team.”
On the news regarding Paddy Madden’s new deal…
“To lock down core members of the squad is key and when you look back, Ash Eastham signed a new deal earlier in the season and there has been myself and now Paddy who have done the same. It would be great to go and get Lewie and Ched [Evans] to stay.
“It’s important to get that squad together as we will all be looking to get that one goal next season, which is promotion to the Championship. We have a striker in Paddy who has scored 19 goals this season, and that is half of what you need to go and get promoted.”
On plans for the summer break…
“I plan on having a couple of weeks of where I will just relax and not do too much of anything. I am heading off to America for a holiday, but I will make sure I keep ticking over whilst there and then come back ready to hit the ground running for pre-season.”