Burgess leads the way in Australia - March 5, 2001
Irish underage international Ben Burgess is making a big name for himself in Australia. The 19-year-old, who was loaned to Northern Spirit at the start of the season, has joined two players on top of the scoring charts after scoring his 13th goal of the season at the weekend.
Blackburn manager Graeme Souness decided to allow Ben to go to Australia for the year in a bid to mature the player but on his current form the Ewood Park boss could be forced into recalling him.
Ben's knack in front of goal has taken all involved in Northern Spirit by surprise. He wasn't expected to figure in all games but now it is impossible to drop him.
The problem is that the team around him are duds so no matter how many times Ben scores during the season the club will still finish in the bottom half of the table.
Still there is no hiding the fact that 13 goals in 20 games is as good a strike rate as there is in the world. Ben must be coming to the attention of Ireland u21 boss Don Givens.