'Relief' - Walsall defender Harrison Burke reflects on Chester breakthrough

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.

"As much as I was happy and excited, it was almost like a relief and now I could play with the shackles off," he remembers.

"The nerves lowered and I was able to enjoy it after that." 

His goal scoring prowess was nothing new. Burke had always played further forward during his formative years and only switched on the advice of his former youth coach and future Chester boss Callum McIntyre.

He explained: "I was playing Sunday League in Chester and then my manager [McIntyre] went to Chester and took me with him. 

"I started in the academy at Chester but I wasn't really playing a lot. When I was about 14 or 15, the academy manager, who is now Chester manager, said to me that I've got a chance, but he thought I was a centre-half. 

"At the time, I was adamant that I was an attacking midfielder, but he told me I had a chance if I played as a defender. 

"I took his advice and then just throughout the years, kids kept coming down from higher up and it was all about working harder than them and showing that talent isn't always the answer."

By the time Burke had left Chester for Walsall this summer, he had made 136 appearances in all competitions, scoring 20 goals and setting up seven more. 

That included an astonishing return of 13 goals from centre-back last term, which ultimately propelled him on to the radar of clubs higher up the ladder.

"I would rather have taken my route but that's because I've done it that way," he concludes. 

"I'm close to 180 men's appearances now which is pretty good for someone at my age.

"This is as good as I've ever had it and I know not to take it for granted."