MARTIN Stone believes the decision to turn Ryan Bird into a striker has been the catalyst for Burnham FC's Southern Division One title challenge.

Bird had been utilised as a central defender by former Blues boss Jamie Jarvis.

But the youth team graduate was switched into a more forward role by Stone after he landed the hotseat at The Gore in February 2011.

And the towering captain has not looked back, firing Burnham into championship contention with 19 goals in 16 matches, including hat-tricks against North Greenford United and Chertsey Town.

Blues boss Stone beamed: "Ryan's preference was to play at the back when I got to the club, and it was last season.

"But I told him he was playing up front and he was all for it.

"Ryan has been excellent, the decision to play him up front has proved to be right.

"Lewis Driver and Aaron Couch have both been fantastic up top with him too, and long may that continue."

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