BERTIE Brayley has dropped himself from Burnham Ramblers’ starting line-up – in a bid to help them climb away from relegation danger.

The Ramblers player-manager says he plans to leave himself on the bench for the remainder of the season, in an attempt to turn around his side’s fortunes.

Brayley, who took over at Leslie Field last summer, has been a regular in Burnham’s starting line-up this season, in Ryman League division one north.

But the former West Ham United youngster feels he is lacking match fitness.

And he has decided to concentrate more on his managerial duties, in the coming weeks.

Burnham are currently rooted to the bottom of the division one north table, with only three league wins to their name.

Brayley said: “I’ve decided to only be available from the bench, if needed so that I can concentrate more on the management side of things.

“I’m not fully fit at the moment and I have to put the team first but there’s always next season and I’m not hanging up my boots just yet."

For the full story, see this week's Burnham Standard.