Chris Baird's Saints career has been one of highs and lows. A bright future beckoned when he was plucked out of obscurity to play in the FA Cup final after Strachan had major doubts over Fabrice Fernandes ability to defend. That future failed to materialise and he has been a bit-part player until the tail end of this season.
He still has more international appearances for Northern Ireland (18) than starts for Saints (17), despite now being 24 and having come through the Saints academy. There has always been no shortage of offers, but player and club have stuck it out over the years. He has been a model of patience, going out on loan amid the odd Saints appearance.
That patience was finally rewarded under Burley as he has put in a series of impressive displays of the kind of calm defending that has been Claus Lundekvam's trademark this season. He always seems to be in the right place at the right time and has even shown his adaptability by playing at centre midfield and centre half.
With 17 players out of contract this season, Baird was definitely one we had to keep and a 3 year deal is a sign of Burley's confidence in him. With two On the Cross Man of the Match awards in a row, clearly great minds think alike!
He was delighted to have both his starting place and future sorted: "This is the longest contract I have had; previously it has always been a two-year deal. But the chairman has given me a fantastic contract and I am very grateful.
"Obviously there could be a lot of changes for next season but I am very happy that I will be part of it. I love it here. It is a great club and a good place to live and I did not want want to move. but I did need to be playing first-team football."
One down, many, many more to go.