Jay Burgess says he’s looking forward to playing on the Moss Rose for the first time, and he’s putting his faith in John Askey and Efe Sodje this season.

The club have shown their faith in a new management duo and the former youth team striker admits he was delighted when ‘Sir John’ was handed the reins permanently.

Askey took over in the wake of Steve King’s departure at the end of last season and he was the one who gave the youngster his first – and only – outing so far, in a rain-sodden defeat at Newport.

That night Burgess was Macc’s sole high point as, although he fired in a goal within two minutes of kick-off, that was as good as it got for the Silkmen, who went down 4-1 to the eventual play-off winners.

Burgess, 19, had hoped to build on that appearance but was an unused sub in the final-day victory at home to Cambridge United.

So his boyhood dream remains unfulfilled.

“I’ve not played at home yet but I can’t wait to do that,” he said. “I used to stand in the Star Lane End so to score a goal in front of the fans in there would be great.

“And my family (dad?Russell, mum Yvonne and grandmother Sylvia) have renewed their season tickets now so

“I’m really happy I was kept on at Macc (Burgess signed a six-month deal this week) and especially with John?Askey being the manager.

“He deserves his chance, I was happy for him, he’s coached me ever since I’ve been here, the youth system has been really good for years and with the club the way it is at the moment I think we might have to bring a few more homegrown players through.

“He knows what he’s doing anyway, he knows the club and how to manage and hopefully we’ll do him and Efe proud because we know what the club means to them both.

“We had meetings with John after the season ended and when he told me I was being offered a new contract I was delighted – I supported Macc as a kid  so?I was really happy to have the chance to stay.”

The goal-a-game forward may be eyeing goals on his home turf but before any thoughts can turn to finding the net in front of the Star Lane supporters, there’s the small matter of pre-season training to get through.

“We start on?Wednesday,” he said. “Most players don’t look forward to it but I’ve been a bit bored without football so I’m looking forward to it – a bit. I don’t think it’s any footballer’s favourite time because of all the running but it’ll be good to see the lads.

“I don’t think it’ll be too bad, I’ve kept myself fit and done my running over summer but I know it’ll still be hard work.

“It’ll be good to see the boys again, they’re a good bunch.”

Burgess is also excited about the squad that Askey is constructing, and has high hopes for the players who’ve signed up so far.

“We seem to be bringing in a certain type of player and they look good, I think Joe Connor from Stockport looks a good player, and I know about Rhys Taylor and Chris Holroyd, but I didn’t realise Chris was a Macc lad too, not until I spoke to him.

“It’s good to have local lads who have talent but also that want to play. People like Chris have been at a few good clubs so you know he’s a good player, and the same with Efe Sodje.

“I’ve seen him play and I remember a bit but my dad says he was decent, he’s very experienced anyway, so we’re getting a good group together.”