City youngster Lee Burge delighted to have played a part in Nuneaton's battle for BSP survival
Young Sky Blues goalkeeper Lee Burge says he feels privileged to have been part of Nuneaton Town's successful push for survival in the Blue Square Premier Division.
Burge, 20, and fellow City prospect Aaron Phillips, 19, joined Boro on loan back in February as Nuneaton boss Kevin Wilkin looked to bolster the strength of his squad for the final run in of the season.
Nuneaton were deep in the relegation mire at the time of the City pair's arrival at the Triton Showers Community Arena but a string of impressive team displays, coupled with seven clean sheets during Burge's 16 appearances between the sticks, ensured their escape from the drop zone.
A 3-1 home win over Hyde on Saturday was followed up by Stockport's 1-1 draw with Gateshead on Tuesday night to mathematically guarantee Nuneaton's BSP status with a game to spare and Burge said it was difficult to describe the feeling when he saw the midweek results come through.
"I was watching the results on Sky Sports and when they came in and I realised we couldn't go down it was a brilliant feeling that I couldn't really describe," he said.
"That's what we wanted to achieve. Me and Aaron really wanted to try and help the lads out and now that's gone the right way it's good to know the club can prepare for another season in that league and concentrate on seeing out this season on Saturday in style without that added pressure."
Hereford-born Burge was also quick to underline how much the experience at Nuneaton has helped him grow as a player, playing mens football after a string of impressive display's for Coventry City's Under 21s.
"It's helped me massively. I understand the game alot more, escpecially the mental side of it, and it's given me experience of what it's like to be in that position at the end part of a season.
"It's helped me understand things like the importance of slowing the tempo of a game down when you're winning and the demands of men's football and hopefully if and when I get a chance for Coventry's first team I can bring those lessons with me."
Burge added that he was delighted for Nuneaton as a club to secure their BSP survival and lauded praise on his teammates, as well as identifying the moment he thought momentum in the relegation scrap swung in Boro's favour.
"It was my second game and we were playing Barrow away. I'd made a couple of good saves but we were a goal down and we scored twice in the last three minutes to win.
"You could see that result gave the lads confidence and they've carried it right through. Nuneaton is a great club and it's a brilliant feeling to have played a part in avoiding relegation.
"I've had a couple of tweets off fans saying congratulations which has been a really nice feeling. It's just been really great to have been a part of it all.