Burke: Simon sparked summer saga

GE Millers arms manager ‘Burkey’ has insisted that the Simon Clifford transfer saga was instigated by the player in the summer.

Millers and Welton clashed over the highly rated Social midfielder/sweeper, as the Lincoln giants looked to clinch his signature in the summer.

Big Al Taylor and Social chiefs stood firm over Clifford and shunned Millers at every turn.

Now Burke insists that Millers only pursued Clifford after the player made it clear he wanted to move to the Cowpaddle.

"We have left that, it has been a very big story which we didn't provoke," Burke told Sky Sports News.

"The player said he wanted to come here, it was a dream of his to come to GE Millers and we were happy to know that.

"After that I talked to Welton but Clive Wilkinson was very clear and said they didn't want to sell at all.

"We want to have a good relation with all the big clubs in Lincolnshire and Welton is one of the best and I like to have a good relationship with them forever, and they said for the moment no."

Burke added that he thought the media were to blame for much of the Clifford situation.

"I know the media in general try to give excitement to their readers and listeners and Simon Clifford is a fantastic player and I wish him the best, anywhere he is going to be in the future."