"NOW THE WORK STARTS" | Budgie leaves no stone unturned for Global's ACL quest

Barely two months since taking over Leigh Manson, John Burridge has won his very first domestic silverware as manager. (file)

By Kevin Estrada

MANILA-- Fresh from capping their glorious season with the UFL Double, Global boss John Burridge leaves no stone unturned as they are already looking on to the next season.

After Global reclaimed the league crown in Rizal Memorial last Sunday, the legendary journeyman has credited the players, his predecessor Leigh Manson, and chairman Dan Palami for their superb job in their triumphant return to glory this season.

"It's been quite an easy journey for us to be honest," said the former Blackpool netminder, considering that he came in for the Scot last August.

Burridge is looking for marquee signings for next season, as their title win ensured their qualification in the preliminaries of the prestigious AFC Champions League.

"But we have to start thinking about it", he quipped, added that they will play Ceres in their final match of the season in two weeks' time. "We've secured the championship and in the process qualify for the Asian Champions League,  Now the work starts," Burridge added, noting that he went to 2 ACL Finals with UAE's Al Ain as their goalkeeping coach, as he and Global is looking for 5-6 marquee signings, signifying their clear intent on not just making up for the numbers. "I'm going there [AFC Champions League] to win it," he concluded.

Meanwhile, Palami could not contain his glee on his proud achievement considering the club was not favored to win both trophies at the start of the season.

"Even without the double, winning the league is a proud achivement for us. We won against Laos, but the games throughout the season that defines our success," the railway boss said and added that the this year they created a real team.

"We're happy that we've been able to prove that everybody that Global FC is the most successful team in the UFL," Palami concluded after being asked about being the only third team in the past six years to claim the double.

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