'Relief' - Walsall defender Harrison Burke reflects on Chester breakthrough
Walsall defender Harrison Burke was in some ways a late bloomer to the professional game.
He made his senior debut for Chester aged 19 and was handed his first start in February 2022 as a defensive midfielder.
"I remember getting told by the physio that I was starting in holding midfield and I just remember having so many different emotions come over me, but mainly nerves," Burke recalls.
"In my mind, I just thought I need to do the right things and grow myself into the game."
There were just 25 minutes on the clock when the ball dropped to Burke on the edge of the penalty area.
He had no doubt in his mind over what he was going to do next. The space just appeared to open up in front of him as he unleashed a fearsome left-footed strike into the top corner on the half-volley.
The nerves and anxiety immediately dissipated as Burke was mobbed by his teammates. Chester would go on to win 5-0 against Southport that afternoon and Burke would establish himself as a regular fixture in the team from that point onwards.
