SILKMEN legend Steve Burr has aspirations to manage a Football League club - but it’s unlikely to be Macclesfield Town.

The Northwich boss and former Moss Rose favourite has just been named as Paul Fairclough’s assistant for England’s non-league international against Belgium.

Burr, 44, has taken Vics to the top of Conference North and is tipped to make his mark at a higher level. But the former Macclesfield hitman has revealed it would be difficult to return to his former club.

"It would be a big decision," said Burr, who spent 16 years at Macclesfield as a player after joining from Stafford Rangers in 1984.

"It would be difficult to go back to a club where I am well thought of because I would never want to sour that. If the decision ever came about I would have to make it for the right reasons.

"Every time I go back to the club I’m well looked after and I’d never want to damage that after all I achieved as a player.

"It would be a very tough decision."

Burr, who had a spell as commercial manager at Town, has admitted he has been surprised by Macc’s poor start to the new season, but fully expects them to pull away from the danger zone.

"It has been a bit of a shock," he added. "I saw them a bit last season and they beat us in a pre-season friendly. I thought they were ready to take the next step up. However, they’ve had to cope without their main goalscorer [Jon Parkin] and any side would struggle if that happens.

"But I’m sure when everyone is back fit they will be all right. They showed last season they could beat anyone on their day and that’s not changed."

Burr cut his managerial teeth at Nuneaton Borough before moving on to Hucknall Town where he enjoyed great success, winning the Unibond Premier League title in 2003/04.

Burr arrived at Northwich at the end of last season and miraculously steered the Conference side to safety before a 10-point deduction for ground issues saw Vics relegated.

Burr takes over as the England assistant after Exeter’s Alex Inglethorpe stood down from the role. He added: "I was a bit surprised but it’s a real honour."

Ex-Silkmen, and one of Burr’s players at Vics, Michael Carr was in the England squad for their game against Belgium yesterday (Tuesday), the first fixture in a new European Challenge which also involves Holland and Italy.