The Evening Star contained a piece on the
reclamation of the Bank Hall Colliery site, now landscaped with trees, shrubs and
grassland. Burnley Council was very proud of its £250,000 project that turned an
‘industrial beast into a beauty’. Without having to scan its date or the
football columns, that paper betrays its time. The public transport news tells you that
these are the Thatcher years. British Rail has announced reductions in their Sunday
services between Colne and Preston. Meanwhile, local MPs are pressurising the Department
of Transport into linking the M65 with the M6.
The local paper also demonstrates its up-to-the-hour-reporting
network, by revealing that Marilyn Monroe was murdered in order to prevent her from
revealing a CIA ‘plot’ to murder Fidel Castro. I’m told, too, that Burnley
Council is making its financial records available for public inspection. Apparently, it is
in the interests of open government. I’m pleased that some Tory members have
initiated this, but I decide to decline their offer. I have no wish to be trampled in the
heaving melee. Among the car adverts, the new Yugo hatchback is being flogged for £1,326
less than a Metro L. I briefly wonder whether it’s as crap as it’s cracked up to
be.
But it’s the football news which I’m really interested
in. Fronting this section, there’s the regulation pre-season team photo. This one has
club chairman John Jackson laughing uproariously. Behind him, Lee Dixon (yes, that Lee
Dixon!), is smiling, though very uncertainly. Everyone has been told to look bright and
breezy. Only Andy Wharton seems to have completely forgotten what he’s been told.
Keith McNee headlines his preview with, ‘Now for the big
challenge.’ Now that the Second Division campaign was about to start, Keith was
decidedly cautious in his assessment of Burnley’s chances. This contrasts quite
markedly with his euphoric end-of-season review. His concern couldn’t have been eased
by the pre-season Lancashire Cup games. He quotes chief coach Frank Casper as saying,
‘It was disappointing to be involved in a second successive 0-0 draw (against Bury).
We should have won easily but the goal touch was missing.’ Injuries to Vince Overson,
Paul McGee and Tommy Cassidy haven't helped. However, Billy Hamilton’s brilliant
showing in the World Cup finals has been a massive boost.
Despite almost £100,000 being gained in advance season ticket
sales (£65 for the Bob Lord stand and £50 for the Cricket Field stand), there were no
incoming moves. It was unclear whether Brian had tried and failed to sign new players, but
there were doubts about whether his squad had enough strength in depth. Defender David
Holt predicted a further upward surge, though. He said, ‘We won’t give a lot of
goals away and if we can find our scoring touch… then we’ll be up there with the
leaders.’
That first home game with Bolton on August 28th was a
bit of an anti-climax. There were very few chances for either side. Burnley’s main
attacking stratagem was the flicked on near post corner. Paul Jones and ex-Manchester City
stalwart Mike Doyle were equal to this and Bolton keeper Jim McDonagh had little to do.
Stevenson was largely under-employed, too, as Ian Moores and Jeff Chandler could not make
much impact on Burnley’s tried and tested sweeper system. Much of the game was played
in midfield where Young, Steven and Scott were up against Peter Reid, Tony Henry,
player-manager John McGovern and Dave Hoggan. Philip Ray made his Burnley debut at left
back. He didn’t appear ready for this elevation but the others carried him through
(0-0). Andy Wharton would replace him in the next game. The gate of 10,562 was a little
disappointing, too, for a ‘new dawn’ local derby. Still it was a point gained
and the sun shone throughout.
The rather tame opener gave no hint of what was to follow, for
suddenly Burnley found their wings. Two days later, Bury were stuffed 5-3 at Gigg Lane in
the Milk Cup and on the following Saturday, Middlesbrough were over run (4-1) at Ayresome
Park. A Billy Hamilton hat trick then saw off Carlisle (4-1) at Turf Moor in midweek. Only
David Holt failed to find goal in this deluge. Hopes of a return to the big time soared.
They were premature.
Rotherham took all three points when they visited on September 11th
(1-2) and then came the debacle at Barnsley. Survivor’s Eye Of The Tiger was
number one, but there were few survival instincts on show at a sunny Oakwell, at least
from Burnley. Burnley’s defence was horribly square as ex-Seasider Billy Ronson put
Ronny Glavin through on the left of their box. His crisp centre was met by Ian Banks, but
the midfielder’s header crashed against the bar and out. Although Wharton had the
chance to clear, his left touch line punt was easily intercepted by Alan Birch, whose
first time centre found Glavin still totally unmarked at the far post. Glavin’s sharp
header then proved too good for Stevenson (0-1). Following a short corner, Birch then
managed to send over another high pacey cross into the Burnley goalmouth. This time Phelan
and Holt failed to pick up ex-Claret Derrick Parker, who leaped unchallenged to plant a
header past Stevenson (0-2). This left Burnley chasing the game and sure enough they were
punished as they pushed up. Man of the match Alan Birch released a long ball for Glavin to
run onto. The Scotsman evaded the offside flag, and despite being pursued doggedly by
Holt, he managed to stay ahead and fire past Stevenson’s left hand (0-3).
The warning was obvious. The sweeper system was not as effective in
this Division. Neither Laws nor Wharton were tight enough defensively and the central
pairing of Holt and Phelan was not as strong as it needed to be. Overson’s absence
was being keenly felt.
Although Bury were brushed aside in the Milk Cup (8-4 on
aggregate), League form continued to fall apart. Shrewsbury won at Turf Moor 2-1 and QPR
turned around a two-goal deficit to win 3-2 at Loftus Road. The sweeper system was then
abandoned for the visit of Crystal Palace on October 9th.
The mid week victory over Middlesbrough in the first leg of the
Milk Cup second round (3-2) had helped raise morale. But it was achieved at a cost. Trevor
Steven was injured during the game and Phil Caverner took his place against Palace, where
he played alongside Martin Dobson, Kevin Young and Derek Scott. Steve Taylor now partnered
Billy Hamilton up front.
Despite having most of the play, Palace went into a first half
lead. However, the Clarets' second half pressure was finally rewarded with goals from
Hamilton and Taylor, Taylor’s goal coming in the final minutes. We hoped that the
previous poor results were just a blip.
When your newly promoted side starts to struggle, you sometimes
begin by ignoring the obvious. You point to the odd injury or suspension. You note a lapse
in form here and there but are more prepared to believe that the setbacks are due to bad
luck. It is difficult to reconcile the recent memories of runaway success with current
abject failures.
Then the poison begins to seep in. You pick up on the foibles of
manager and players. You start to carp about tactics, selection and, worst of all,
commitment. Players are allegedly seen out on the town before vital League games. Then you
start questioning the abilities of the guy in charge, the same guy who was an
all-conquering hero just a few months ago. You pass off his former achievements as luck,
or the responsibility of some departed coach or assistant.
Finally, you have to recognise what should be blindingly obvious
from the word go, that the team is simply not good enough. It may have good players but
taken collectively, it is not up to scratch. That’s when the Directors enter the
target zone. They’re accused of not wanting promotion, not wanting to save the club,
not wanting to dip into their pockets. Before the Crystal Palace game, the bad luck
sequence in this dance had gone as far as it could go. The stirring home win on top of the
Milk Cup victory just made us repeat a few steps.
On the following Saturday at a dismal and drizzly Charlton, Burnley
went down 1-2 after Phelan had kept them on level terms at half time. Loan signing Ian
Muir came on as a substitute for Martin Dobson, but he could make no impact. He did manage
to score Burnley’s one goal at Elland Road on the following Saturday. Unfortunately
Leeds scored three. With that, the depressing run of results again set in. After the 1-3
defeat at Craven Cottage on October 23rd, Burnley fell to eighteenth position.
Only the Milk Cup granted any comfort. A 1-1 draw at Middlesbrough on October 26th
was enough to see Burnley into the next round.
The attendances were falling alarmingly. Only 6,480 had come for
the home games with Shrewsbury and Crystal Palace and the local derby with Oldham on
October 30th drew only marginally more (7,265). It was another depressing day.
The weather was wet and gloomy; so was the result. It started off well, though. Paul McGee
had been restored to the side and his high, looping cross was headed in by Hamilton, who
managed to out jump the Oldham keeper. It remained 1-0 at the interval, but hopes of a
victory evaporated after the interval. First, Paul Atkinson was given too much space to
line up a long distance strike, which he executed with consummate skill. The ball flashed
into the top right hand corner giving Stevenson no chance. The second, from left back John
Ryan, was very much of a pinball effort after Roger Palmer had been given the freedom of
the left flank. ‘Where was Brian Laws’, we asked?
A Kevin Keegan-inspired Newcastle duly won the contest at St
James’ Park on November 6th (0-3) in front of almost 21,000 fanatical
fans, dumping Burnley into twentieth position. Only Derby and Bolton were below Burnley.
Then, just when it seemed that Burnley could not possibly get any worse, they pulled off a
magnificent result three days later, defeating First Division Coventry away in the Milk
Cup (2-1). Paul McGee scored both goals. He had been drafted in to partner Steve Taylor
following Hamilton’s absence through suspension. Coventry’s Steve Hunt put the
Sky Blues ahead after just five minutes play, but thanks to McGee’s splendid brace
Burnley went through to round four.
Miller wasn’t fooled. He knew by now that his team needed
strengthening and within the next fortnight he had signed former Manchester City and
Scottish international left back Willie Donachie from Portland Timbers and Brian Flynn
from Leeds for £60,000.
Donachie replaced Wharton at left back for the home relegation
tussle with Cambridge and played well. Steve Taylor grabbed both goals in a 2-1 victory
but even with the new attraction of Donachie playing, only 6,039 bothered to attend. Of
course, winning breeds confidence and with Donachie and Flynn injecting extra strength,
Burnley then drew at third-placed Sheffield Wednesday (1-1). The down side of this
excellent result was that Willie Donachie damaged his knee ligaments during the game and
was therefore ruled out for six weeks.
The ensuing home draw with bottom club Derby was even more
disappointing. Paul McGee levelled a goal from Derby’s loan signing John Richards.
Disappointment turned once again into amazement, as three days later, First Division
Birmingham became Burnley’s next victims in the Milk Cup (3-2). McGee and Taylor put
Burnley two up at St Andrews only for Birmingham to draw level early in the second period.
However, Taylor’s determined run down the left flank was rewarded when Colin Brazier
slid the resulting cross into his own net.
Buoyant with this victory, Burnley had high hopes of gaining some
reward from their League game at Stamford Bridge on the following Saturday. Alas, it was
unfounded. Frank Casper described their performance as ‘the worst for two years’
(1-2).
Leicester came to Turf Moor on December 11th. They were
in mid table but had an excellent away record. The conditions were awful. Burnley took the
lead, firstly through Steven and then Taylor, but after Stevenson had been dismissed for
pulling down a Leicester forward; City romped away with the game. They were also helped by
missed penalties from Laws and McGee (2-4). Future Arsenal and England striker Alan Smith
scored a hat trick. Three successive defeats then followed, at Grimsby (2-3), Wolves (0-2)
and at home to Blackburn on Boxing Day (0-1), ensuring that Burnley enjoyed Christmas in
bottom spot.
So ended 1982, a year which had seen victory in the Falklands, a
bloodbath in Beirut, IRA atrocities at Hyde Park and elsewhere and angry demonstrations at
Greenham Common. But what really rattled Mary Whitehouse’s cage was the National
Theatre’s production of The Romans in Britain. It has been said that the Dutch
are more laid back about explicit sexual material because they have suffered the real
pornography of a Nazi occupation. That’s a bit glib. You can’t sanitise a vice
by simply putting a worse one alongside, even though it is sometimes tempting to try.
Anyway, the Attorney General had enough sense to stop Mrs Whitehouse’s attempted
private prosecution. It had been made under the Sexual Offences Act. After the Christmas
results Burnley FC appeared to be contravening the trade description laws.
On New Years Day, Sheffield Wednesday came to Turf Moor. The pitch
was very heavy after persistent rain, but the sky had cleared by midday leaving an
afternoon of pendulous clouds and broken sunshine. Rene and Renato topped the charts with
the monumentally dire Save Your Love. Way, way outside the top twenty, a German
band, Einsturzende Neubauten (Collapsing New Buildings) were experimenting with
sledgehammers and road drills among their various haunting melodies. Before being stopped,
they were intent on recording a side of meat being sawn up. This was to fill one side of
their best-selling albums. Alongside collaborators The Birthday Party and Lydia Lunch and
other noisy gits like Sonic Youth, The Swans and Husker Du, they were perpetrators of a
new aural terrorism. Given some of the Clarets’ limp displays before Christmas, I was
thinking of taping some of their catchy numbers for pre-match motivational purposes. God
knows it might have prompted Dobbo and Co to tear the opposition apart. That is, if they
didn’t destroy the recording first. A missed opportunity, I think. Having said that,
this display was much better.
Although Wednesday were promotion contenders, they were in the
midst of a poor run of form, having gone eight games without a win. Billy O’Rourke,
the hapless victim of the 1979 Loftus Road massacre, replaced the suspended Stevenson in
the Burnley goal. The Owls started brightly, with Gary Bannister particularly sharp up
front, but it was Burnley who took the lead after 19 minutes with a soft goal. Willie
Donachie found Hamilton, who turned on the left-hand side of the visitors’ box and
managed to squeeze in a shot on target. Although Billy’s effort was seemingly
innocuous, Bolder failed to hold on, setting up Taylor for a simple tap in.
Burnley had a let off after a forceful run by Mel Sterland had
earned Wednesday a right wing corner. Bannister’s flag kick was knocked back by
Pearson for Mick Lyons to clatter a header against the post. Burnley sensed this was their
day and pushed forward. A further defensive error gave them their second just one minute
after scoring their first. Hamilton troubled Bolder in the air and the ball fell for Derek
Scott on the right. His centre was then deflected by Wednesday’s Bailey, leaving
Taylor with acres of space to turn and shoot through Bolder’s legs (2-0). Although
Burnley were doing their best to return the defensive favours, they had the better chances
up to the break. Donachie supplied Laws with a sharp pass on the edge of the Wednesday
box. Laws took this at pace, beating two opposing defenders and firing in a fierce left
footed drive, which Bolder did well to parry with a flying save. Unfortunately, Hamilton
could not reach the loose ball before Bolder had recovered. Steven, too, got in the act
with a free kick from around twenty yards, after Sterland had fouled Taylor. Again, Bolder
could not hold on and his defenders were at full stretch to scramble the ball clear.
The best goal came in the 59th minute. Hamilton had just
had an effort ruled out for offside but when Donachie and Taylor combined to set him free,
he outran three Wednesday defenders and rounded Bolder before blasting a cross shot into
the far left hand corner. Billy may have appeared ungainly, but he had real pace, as this
goal proved. With Burnley three up, it was small wonder that the Longside joyously
launched into singing, ‘Always Look On The Bright Side of Life’.
Maurice Setters, who was deputising for the absent Owls’
manager Jack Charlton, immediately sent on Andy McCulloch for John Pearson. Although
McCulloch missed a sitter shortly after coming on, he was given far too much space at a
short corner taken in the 70th minute, and headed in Shelton’s cross.
Wednesday threw everyone forward. During this period of play, Gary Megson was very
impressive for them in a central midfield role, spraying telling passes out to either
flank. However, Wednesday over reached themselves and in the final minute Flynn’s
quick ball out of defence set Taylor free in the inside left channel. He made no mistake,
drawing Bolder and then blasting the ball into the roof of the net in front of the
ecstatic Cricket Field Stand fans (4-1). Welcome 1983.
Or so we thought. Just two days later, we could only draw 1-1 with
lowly Middlesbrough, and despite pushing Carlisle aside in the FA Cup after a replay
(3-1), the worst ignominy would follow at Burnden Park on January 15th. Bolton
were struggling like Burnley but still won 3-0, with their goalkeeper Jim McDonough
contributing one of the goals. For Burnley Chairman John Jackson, this was too much. On
the same day that Burnley were due to play Spurs at White Hart Lane in the quarter final
of the Milk Cup, Jackson sacked Brian Miller. It was Brian’s forty sixth birthday.
John Jackson explained, ‘We are nine points adrift in the
relegation battle. We have lost more League games than any other Football League club. Of
our last eleven away League games, we have drawn one and lost ten. It is an appalling
situation. A decision was therefore made to change the manager. The next and last question
relates to the timing of the announcement. Bearing all things in mind, we took the view
that nothing could happen at Tottenham which would make an appointment after the game more
sensible.’
Frank Casper was put in temporary charge of team affairs with
immediate effect, while Brian Miller was left to consider his future. There was the
prospect of alternative employment with the club, but this hardly cushioned the blow. But
Brian bore his bitter disappointment with quiet dignity. When asked to account for his
feelings, he acknowledged that his dismissal came as a shock but he made no excuses, no
accusations. He calmly pointed out, ‘It’s up to the directors to choose the
manager – your life is in their hands.’ He preferred to concentrate on the
outcome of the Spurs game. He admitted that he wanted to go to Spurs but felt that it
might be ‘a bit embarrassing… (for all concerned)… After being the boss
anything else is a little difficult… I don’t know if I shall go but I shall say
a little prayer for them.’ His prayers were answered.
The miracle came on a day when two policemen were charged with
shooting Stephen Waldorf. The parlous state of British shipbuilding had again been
emphasised by the day’s announcement that 1,837 jobs would go by March. A suspect
device had been found in the Tory Party HQ in Leeds just a few hours before Margaret
Thatcher’s planned visit, and the isolation of North East Lancashire stood to be
increased by the Serpell Committee’s plans to axe all local BR lines in the area.
It is fair to say that Spurs contributed to their own downfall.
Their manager Keith Burkinshaw said, ‘(our defence) played like pure novices. They
were running around crackers with no discipline at all. But we’ve got to take it on
the chin – and good luck to Burnley.’ Despite having Ossie Ardiles back after
the Falklands crisis, despite having enjoyed a three-year unbeaten home record in Cup
competitions, despite having most of the play in this tie and despite taking a 46th
minute lead, Spurs crashed 4-1. Certainly, it looked like business as usual when both
Phelan and Donachie failed to clear Mabbutt’s long throw, allowing Terry Gibson to
blast the ball into the net from only six yards. Spurs turned up the heat and Stevenson
did well to save from Ardiles and Hoddle. Then, in the 65th minute, Spurs gave
Burnley a lifeline. Roberts met Young’s cross from the right, but fortunately for the
Clarets, it slewed off his forehead and flashed into the corner of the net (1-1).
Then it was Clemence’s turn to commit hare kiri. Having raced
out of his goal to intercept a through ball from Flynn, he tried to place a pass along the
touchline, instead of booting the ball into the stand. Young seized on his mistake and
lobbed towards goal, forcing Clemence to handle outside his area. Clemence should have
been dismissed for illegally preventing a goal but wasn’t. Nevertheless justice was
done immediately. The resulting free kick, taken by Kevin Young, pierced the Spurs wall
and deflected off Ardiles to Taylor. Taylor’s quick sideways flick resulted in Billy
Hamilton stabbing home from point blank range. Steve Archibald could have still turned it
around for Spurs, but his well struck 25-yard drive went just inches wide. Then in the 85th
minute, as Spurs pushed up, Derek Scott released Steve Taylor down the right wing. Taylor
ran 50 yards before cutting in along the by-line and hitting a low cross into the goal
area. Roberts lunged to block the danger but only succeeded in diverting the ball past
Clemence at his near post. The best, however, was reserved for last. Again, Billy Hamilton
demonstrated his power and speed by outpacing the Spurs’ defence to get on the end of
another astute through ball from Flynn. Nodding the ball down and beyond O’Reilly,
the last Spurs defender, Billy proceeded to lash the ball past Clemence from 20 yards
(4-1). Thank you and good night.
Frank Casper said, ‘It was down to individual contests in
midfield – Scott v Mabbutt, Flynn v Villa, Steven v Ardiles, and Young v Hoddle, and
we came out on top.’ Frank can be forgiven this over-euphoric analysis, for whatever
complexion you put on it, this was one of Burnley’s greatest results. Frank’s
comments to the Daily Mirror were more grounded, though. ‘Frankly, I would
rather swap it for a victory on Saturday in the League.’
As it turned out, Frank would have his cake and eat it. Barnsley
were beaten 3-1, setting up a mini-revival, which included a 7-1 thrashing of Charlton
(Hamilton and Taylor both scored hat tricks and Steven scored with a brilliant individual
effort), successive home wins against Fulham (1-0) and Newcastle (1-0) and further
progress made in the FA Cup. League survival and Cup glory no longer seemed to be stark
alternatives. This upturn in fortunes would earn Casper a divisional Manager of the Month
award. As is frequently the case, it would prove to be an albatross, though the full force
of that curse would be delayed for two more weeks.
Despite their Milk Cup pyrotechnics, no one gave Burnley much
chance in the two-legged semi-final with Liverpool. After all, at that time Liverpool were
arguably the best team in Europe. As it turned out, Burnley were given a massive
opportunity, which they spurned.
In the first leg at Anfield, Liverpool’s finishing was woeful.
I doubt if Rush and Dalglish have ever been more fallible in front of goal. Burnley knew
they couldn’t grind out a 0-0 draw. Few sides in Europe were capable of achieving
that at Anfield and given Burnley’s porous defence, Dobbo and co knew they had to
take the game to Liverpool. And how well they did that. Steven, Flynn, Scott and Young
were outstanding in midfield. If only Derek Scott had taken his three gilt-edged
opportunities, they might have scraped through.
With the first chance, Steven’s wonderfully weighted through
ball enabled Scott to force Lawrenson into an error. But having snatched the ball off the
faltering Liverpool defender, leaving him through with only Grobbelaar to beat, Scott then
blasted his shot directly at Zimbabwe keeper’s head. With the second chance, Scott
actually got round Grobbelaar but hit the outside of the post when scoring seemed to be
the simpler task. His hat trick of misses came in the second half. It occurred when
Hansen’s forward charge left him out of position (anyone care to send Gary Lineker
the tape?). Donachie seized the chance, releasing Scott wide on the left. Again, Scott did
the hard bit but sent his searing shot wide of the right hand post and into the Kop.
Certainly, the Burnley crowd did their team proud. They won the
shouting war hands down. As it was, a flukey deflection off Flynn enabled Souness to give
Liverpool the lead shortly before half time. A Neal penalty put Liverpool in control and
when Dalglish set up Hodgson in the 80th minute with a defence-splitting pass
the tie was secured (0-3). In terms of the overall chances created it was probably a fair
result, but what has fairness got to do with anything? Burnley could and should have
secured a better return. Although a 0-3 deficit was at least a goal too far, Scott made up
for his Anfield waywardness by striking the 54th minute winner in the second
leg (1-0) in front of 22,228. Lawrenson nearly gifted Burnley a second within the next
minute when he had to make a goal line clearance from his own clumsy tackle. Liverpool
were awful at Turf Moor. Much as it is tempting to dwell on what might have been, you
still wonder whether Liverpool would have put on a better show at Turf Moor had the result
been in greater doubt.
Although the Milk Cup exit was a huge disappointment with Wembley
being the next stop, there was still the prospect of a Twin Towers appearance in the
premier Cup competition. After disposing of Carlisle and Fourth Division Swindon (3-1),
Burnley bored Crystal Palace into submission in the fifth round. Their first attempt at
resolving the tie was played at a bitingly cold Selhurst Park, where removed snow
encircled the playing area. Palace had a few chances through Chris Jones, Tommy Langley
and Vince Hilaire. By contrast, Burnley had none, as far as I remember. It was a dire
contest that may still be immortalised on Match of the Day, although I’m sure
they must have now wiped the tape and replaced it with something worthwhile, like Jim
Davidson’s Greatest TV Moments or Classic Slugs.
Burnley progressed in the replay after a Palace defender had
handled Taylor’s goal bound effort on the line. Given that Laws had fluffed the
initial penalty kick, when Fry was adjudged to have been off his line, Taylor was
entrusted with re-take. Taylor blasted it down the middle while Fry dived out of the way
(1-0). Jack Charlton had taken note of this approach. When Wednesday conceded a 5th
minute penalty in the 6th round FA Cup game at Turf Moor, Bolder was instructed
to remain upright. Taylor obligingly gave Bolder fielding practice and a huge opportunity
was wasted. Just before half time, this miss proved very costly when a long ball unsettled
Dobson and Steven. As they dallied, Bannister nipped into score. Cassidy tied it up just
after the break with a brave, diving header following a left wing corner. Taylor had an
excellent chance in the 85th minute to have snatched the tie. Released by
Steven, Taylor ran at Bailey and beat him but as Bolder advanced to narrow the gap, Taylor
toe poked his shot over the bar. Either side could have won this ‘blood and
guts’ clash, played out in front of 23,134. There were plenty of close calls at the
Burnley end, but a draw seemed a fair result.
The replay was not nearly as close. Wednesday were two goals ahead
after thirty minutes and any chance Burnley had of salvaging the tie disappeared in the 42nd
minute when a hotly disputed penalty was awarded against Donachie. Wednesday rubbed in
further salt during the second half and Burnley crashed out (0-5).
The Hillsborough thrashing knocked the stuffing out of Burnley.
Despite managing a narrow victory over middle-of-the-table Newcastle on the following
Saturday, with new signing from Aston Villa, Terry Donovan (£25,000), scoring the only
goal (1-0), League form collapsed once more with five defeats coming on the bounce. The
limp defeat at relegation rivals Cambridge (0-2) was particularly dire.
However, luck deserted them, too. The home defeat by upwardly
mobile Wolves (0-1) in atrocious Easter weather typified their fate. Having survived a
smoke bomb and then conceded an 8th minute goal to a Geoff Palmer free kick,
the elements closed in on Burnley. First, there was torrential, swirling rain. Then there
was hail and finally there was heavy snow. The pattern of second half play was obvious
from the state of the pitch. The Burnley half was carpeted with virgin snow while the
Wolves' end was a mud heap. Burnley applied continuous pressure.
However, Wolves came as near to scoring as Burnley in that second
period. First, John Richards, through on his own, was held up in the arctic tundra,
allowing Stevenson to nick the ball off him. Then Stevenson saved brilliantly with his
legs when substitute Kenny Hibbitt blasted a loose ball goalwards from less than six yards
range.
Scott and Donovan went closest for Burnley. Donovan was
particularly unlucky. Having caught Palmer in possession, his measured cross shot hit the
far post with Burridge well beaten. The crowd kept their spirits alive with the prospect
of an Ewood trip on the Monday, but there would be no blessings at Blackburn (1-2). That
game was held up for a quarter an hour when Burnley fans started throwing missiles onto
the pitch. After the Easter games, Burnley were bottom in more ways than one.
The defeat at Derby on April 30th (0-2) was not only
very damaging, it saw a parting of the ways. Alan Stevenson was considered to have been at
fault for both goals. He was immediately replaced by Billy O’Rourke, and never
represented Burnley again. It was a sad departure for such an accomplished keeper.
Taylor was on his way out, too, despite his various hot streaks.
Always a fitful player, Taylor really looked the part when the goals were flowing but when
his scoring sprees dried up, his head seemed to drop, and then he often appeared awful. By
this time, Terry Donovan had taken his place. It seemed as if Donovan’s goals might
still save Burnley. He supported Hamilton’s brace against Chelsea (3-0), then weighed
in with important goals in the victories over Shrewsbury (2-1) and QPR (2-1). Going into
the penultimate League game, at Leicester, on May 15th Burnley were still
bottom but only three points separated the bottom eight clubs. There was still a chance of
a twelfth hour escape. The Leicester fixture was a difficult one, though, as City needed a
win to ensure promotion and nudge out rivals Fulham.
May 14th was a day of warm, hazy sunshine. Michael
Jackson’s Thriller was the number one album while at the top of the singles
charts Spandau Ballet’s True held sway. But they weren’t true. Despite
the premature claims of learned historian Lord Dacre (formerly Professor Hugh
Trevor-Roper), the Hitler Diaries were just a scam, dreamt up by some journalists on the
make. The Times newspaper had allegedly offered £1million for them. It seemed a
fitting time for Lord Kenneth Clark (of Civilisation fame) to make his exit. This
hoax would have probably only confirmed his belief that we were entering a new age of
barbarianism. Better proof was evident in the scrum outside Filbert Street. Almost 30,000
pressed hard to get in, filling up the narrow streets and gangways, churning, heaving,
rolling, a helplessly shifting, sweaty tide. We seemed to be propelled through the
turnstiles by the force of that throng. It remains as one of my most alarming football
experiences.
Burnley fielded Hamilton and Donovan up front, Scott, Steven, Young
and Flynn in midfield, and Lee Dixon, Dobson, Phelan and Donachie in the back four.
O’Rourke was in goal. As expected Leicester applied the early pressure. Their new
midfield starlet Robert Jones pulled back a smart cross from the by-line, but Alan Smith
headed over at the near post. Smith also made contact with a cross from Lynex, but his
flicked header was just wide. Despite having the greater possession, Leicester looked
ragged and edgy. Burnley did little to threaten Wallington in the Leicester goal, but they
could justifiably claim the classiest moment of the half. It came from Martin Dobson at
his most imperious. Having cut out a dangerous centre from Lynex, Dobbo then went off on
one of his surging runs, combining the power of Scania with the grace of a Rolls. Three
Leicester players lunged in at him but with deft control and timed acceleration he just
left them for dead. His run deserved better, petering out in yet another blunt attack.
However I will remember it as the hallmark of one of our greatest footballers. So we went
into half time at 0-0. This was OK but we needed to win. The midfield needed to provide
Hamilton and Donovan with better support.
This was the first time I had seen Lee Dixon. During the second
period he began to give some early hints of his pedigree. Firstly, he played a nice ball
forward which enabled Phelan to advance at pace. Phelan immediately played Donovan in but
the striker’s twisting right foot shot fizzed past the Leicester left hand post with
Wallington a spectator. It was Burnley’s first chance. Secondly, Dixon rescued a
point for the Clarets in the dying moments of the game. Kevin McDonald had put Smith
through with only O’Rourke to beat. The young keeper advanced quickly but Smith
lobbed him. If it hadn’t been for Dixon’s excellent anticipation, Burnley would
have lost. Instead our young full back immediately ran hard to guard the line as
O’Rourke moved forward and was therefore in position to clear Smith’s effort. In
between these chances, Hamilton had a chance to steal the points. Flynn’s weighted
ball gave him the opportunity to run down the inside right channel at the Leicester goal.
Alas, this was not the Billy of White Hart Lane. The pressure of helping carry a
struggling side had worn away his sharpness. Instead of the crashing drive which had flown
past Clemence’s left hand, all Billy could muster was a wretched miskick. There was
so little power in his final effort that the ball barely crept over the by-line. The draw
suited Leicester. They were promoted. Fulham hadn’t won at Derby despite our constant
stream of misinformation to the anguished City fans.
A 0-0 result was an excellent achievement, but it meant that
Burnley still had to win their final game at Crystal Palace in order to secure safety. We
expected a night of high passion and drama. It was nothing of the sort. The lights went
out with barely a whimper. It was a colossal non-event. Burnley managed just one effort on
goal and that came in the 80th minute from substitute Vince Overson. By that
time Burnley were already a goal down. It was a desperate way to bid farewell to the
Second Division after just one season.
On June 2nd, club chairman, John Jackson decided with
his fellow directors, that it was time to break with past traditions. The previous five
managers had come from within the club. They announced that now they would appoint an
outsider. That outsider was to be John Bond. John Bond came straight to the point. He
said, ‘If we don’t do something very soon, this club will dwindle away like a
lot of other clubs in the area.’ He came with a flash image but his record at
revitalising unfashionable sides, like Bournemouth and Norwich, had been good. He also
turned Manchester City around in 1981. Despite Andy Lochhead’s warning that it would
end in tears, many of us were ready to go along with the directors’ reasoning.
Certainly, even the die-hard pessimists among us could not have envisaged such a dreadful
chain of events that would almost lead to the club’s extinction within four years.
