He has taken over as Doughboys boss – replacing Les Hornby who resigned
earlier this month — with plans to match the club's short-term ambitions of returning to the Southern League.

Burnham, who began his playing career at Northampton Town, has already made signings and set his sights on more transfer targets.

He said: "It's a clean slate for everybody and I'm going to be in touch with a lot of players because we need improvement.

"I'm looking to bring in quality to make us a force in this league. We want to be in the mix at the end of the season.

"We will be disappointed if we don't win it. I need to bring in players to give us a chance.

"We want this to work as much as anyone else. We will fight tooth and nail to get where we want to be.

"People talk about pressure. But I don't worry about that because I've played football for so long.

"Although this is my first managerial position, I've handled players before and I'm looking forward to the start of pre-season on June 26."

Burnham, 35, won the Eagle Bitter United Counties League's Premier
Division title with Woodford United two years ago as a player-coach.

But he suffered a serious ankle injury last term which also ended a brief spell at Wellingborough's next-door neighbours Whitworths.

He hopes to provide cover on the Wellingborough bench while assistant-boss Ady Fuller, previously at Banbury United, is set for a regular role in defence.

Midfielder Tom Fountain has also arrived from Woodford to become the Doughboys captain while centre-half Dan Chiltern signed from Northampton Spencer.

Pre-season friendlies have been arranged at home to Southern League sides Leamington, Romulus and Willenhall along with trips to Bedford United and Whitworths plus a couple of other games.

Wellingborough are looking for a new reserve-team manager. Applicants should contact Steve Whitney on 07841 190796.