Midway
through the1975/76 season the London Clarets were born. As we celebrate our Silver
Jubilee, I thought I would rake through the ashes of our formative season. But be warned,
it is mostly grim reading.
In 1975, North Sea oil began to be pumped ashore. We needed it. Our
traditional manufacturing base was crumbling. Sexual equality was becoming a bigger issue.
In this same year British gays ‘came out’, challenging the archaic legislation,
which forbade public displays of affection between homosexual males. So what were Henry
Cooper and Kevin Keegan doing together on the Brut advert? The Women’s movement had
already shown its teeth. In recognition of their vigorous campaigning, the Sex
Discrimination Act became law in 1975. Nevertheless, Tammy Wynette still told the
‘girls’ to ‘Stand By Your Man’ and scantily clad women still caressed
the Kenwood Chefs and slinked around the Hillman Avengers on ‘Sale of the
Century’.
This was the year when it snowed in June and when the ‘Sloane
Rangers’ first went on the prowl. The ‘hustle’ was the dance and
‘Jaws’ was the film. Even Fidel Castro liked ‘Jaws’. He
considered it to be a good Marxist movie, showing that ‘businessmen are ready to sell
out the safety of citizens rather than close down against the invasion of sharks.’
Too besotted with capitalist conspiracies, Fidel failed to notice that there was only one
predator.
The summer of 1975 was hot. It suited the ‘Windies’ who
triumphed in the first cricket ‘World Cup’ competition. England under-performed
as usual, blown away at Leeds by the prodigious swing of Aussie, Gary Gilmour – not
to be confused with the US killer on death row (remember the Adverts’ ‘Gary
Gilmour’s Eyes’?). However, helped by a series of featherbed surfaces, the
English team finally managed to draw the sting of Lillee and Thomson in the four-match
Test series, which followed. The abiding memory is of be-spectacled, silver-haired David
Steele and his dogged forward thrust, filling both his boots and his freezers – a
local butcher sponsored him on a ‘chop-by-run’ basis. Cattle began to develop a
keen interest in ‘Test Match Special.’
As for Burnley, things appeared to be looking up. Jimmy Adamson realised
that his 1974/75 championship challenge had been undone by a lack of depth in his squad.
He sought to address that by signing the illustrious pair, Mike Summerbee and Willie
Morgan, both on free transfers. Both were some way past their best, though, and while
Summerbee regularly turned in committed, versatile performances, Morgan did not. Although
troubled by injury, I don’t think Morgan’s heart was in the move. While
Summerbee was beaming as he put pen to paper, Morgan appeared pensive. Significantly,
Morgan reserved his one scintillating display for the narrow defeat at Old Trafford at
Christmas (he would serve Bolton better). But we’re getting ahead of ourselves. With
these stars complementing the ranks, we approached the new campaign with optimism –
always a rash attitude for a Claret.
Burnley v Arsenal
‘Jive Talking’
16th August 1975
Though shorn of striking power (Fletcher was still sidelined), Burnley
should have seen off a Gunners’ side at odds with itself. Charlie George was no
longer the Highbury darling and Alan Ball saw his future elsewhere. Having slapped in a
summer transfer request, he was promptly dropped and deprived of the captaincy. But on a
brilliant afternoon we were served the dampest of squibs. Centre backs, Terry Mancini and
debutante, David O’Leary easily shackled our underpowered strike force. Arguably,
Noble would have proved a better striking partner for Hankin than the persistent but
ineffectual Summerbee. But ‘Uwe’ injured his hip so badly that he had to be
substituted after half-an-hour. Anyway, long before the end we’d lost interest. With
Australia on the rack at Leeds, there were greater distractions elsewhere.
Burnley v Everton
‘Can’t Give You Anything (But My Love)’
19th August 1975
It was a dank misty evening. At least the game complemented the
weather this time. Another bore draw. Hankin thumped into us the lead with our one clear
chance of the game but ex-Wrexham forward, David Smallman, squared it up. Even the Test
Match disappointed with England being unable to ram home their advantage. The ‘Free
George Davis’ campaigners vandalised the Headingly pitch forcing the abandonment of
the fifth day’s play. Mind you, the lunchtime rain would have almost certainly
prevented a finish.
West Ham v Burnley
‘Barbados’
23rd August 1975
In contrast with the chart-toppers Upton Park was untypically
tropical. We had a glittering contest, too. Jimmy Adamson reflected, ‘I rate this as
one of the best away performances for years by a Burnley team, yet there we were walking
off with a 3-2 defeat. We were well on top for more than an hour, scored two goals (James
and Noble), hit the bar and had five shots cleared off the line.’ Noble was
‘man-of-the-match’, capping a brilliant attacking display with a memorable goal
from a corner. Doug Collins ran ‘Uwe’ close for the starring role. His penalty
box jig was a joy. Twisting one way and t’other, Doug beat three Hammers in turn,
before chipping the ball over the advancing Mervyn Day. Only a desperate goal line header
denied him. But plaudits are no substitute for points.
Burnley v
Middlesbrough
‘That’s The Way (I Like It)’
30th August 1975
A midweek draw at Portman Road (0-0) was a good result but we needed a
win and quickly. Little did we know that Jack Charlton’s ‘Boro would prove so
obliging. The apocalyptic storm must have dissolved their resolve. It was scary stuff.
Turf Moor became a watery twilight world with the rain sheeting down from the darkest
summer sky I can remember. Christ, we had the floodlights on for most of the game! Peter
Noble was undeterred, though. Pushed up again to partner Hankin, his early flicked header
from James’ cross utterly defeated Jim Platt to put us on our way. Morgan was
restored following an arm injury much to Terry Cooper’s chagrin. The former Leeds
stalwart had a very troubled afternoon. But this was Noble’s day. In the second half
he duly completed his second Burnley hat-trick. Then Ray Hankin notched the final goal
after Jim Platt had failed to hold onto another ‘Uwe’ effort, hissing with
moisture and venom (4-1). Having surfed to victory we rose to 10th position.
Splendid!
Derby County v Burnley
‘Sailing’
6th September 1975
Ethereal haze shrouded the Peaks but there was no hiding place at the
Baseball Ground. Our back four remained flat and immobile as the rampant Rams trampled all
over them. Despite an uncharacteristic penalty miss by James, we did well to escape with a
0-3 defeat. We fell four places.
Burnley v Norwich City
‘Motor Biking’
13th September 1975
In midweek we turned over Hereford 4-1 away in the League Cup. Noble
grabbed a further two goals. This should have set us back on track. But on a sparkling
afternoon, although ‘Uwe’ scored four, we failed to secure both points. We had
the perfect start, too. In the very first minute Brennan’s long punt released Noble
down the inside left channel. Without breaking stride ‘Uwe’ hammered the ball
past Keelan from around 12 yards. Twenty-five minutes later, we went two up. Colin Suggett
conceded a penalty when he fouled Flynn who was in the act of shooting. Of course,
‘Uwe’ never missed a spot kick and although Keelan guessed right, his dive was
to no avail. However, Summerbee returned Suggett’s compliment just five minutes
later. His clumsy foul on Martin Peters enabled Ted MacDougall to reduce the deficit from
the resulting penalty. It did not seem to be a crucial error as Noble restored
Burnley’s lead just two minutes before the interval. James beat Mel Machin and
crossed dangerously toward the inrushing Hankin and Noble. Under pressure, Norwich
defender, Geoff Butler, handled. Referee, Kevin McNally spotted the infringement and Noble
completed his hat-trick, sending Keelan the wrong way. The second half should have been a
cake walk. It wasn’t. After 66 minutes, Machin’s mis-hit shot found MacDougall
as the Burnley defence stood still. MacDougall promptly tucked the chance away. Then ten
minutes later, MacDougall found Peters in acres of space and the World Cup hero cracked a
low shot past Stevenson. But still Burnley had the chance to secure the points. With only
three minutes remaining, Summerbee’s free-kick picked out Noble, whose glancing
header found the top left hand corner. However, Burnley proved again incapable of
defending their lead. Norwich piled forward and Burnley’s jittery defenders failed to
cope. In the final minute, Boyer was first to a left wing cross and buried his header from
just five yards. The Canaries were delirious while we stomped out of the ground. Neutrals
might have seen this game as an extravaganza of attacking football but it also featured
some of the most inept defending seen in the First Division for years. It was the first
time that a Burnley player had scored successive hat-tricks at Turf Moor but I doubt
whether Peter Noble took much satisfaction in that. I imagined he spent the evening
thumping the ball around his living room, shattering everything in sight.
Birmingham City v Burnley
‘Funky Moped’
20th September 1975
This was a shambles. Our chief playmaker, Collins broke his leg.
Hankin ended up playing at centre half and we’re thrashed 0-4 by the second-to-bottom
club, who’d just sacked their manager, Freddie Goodwin. City played this lummox at
centre forward. Despite having the finesse of an Aberdeen Angus, he slammed in two goals.
Little did we know that his career would take off so stratospherically. His name is Peter
Withe. Trevor Francis scored his first goal of the season and the bloody sun shone
throughout. I even watched the re-run on MOTD, hoping to eek out some consolation.
With Brennan having also broken his leg (in a car accident) there is none. We were
seventeenth and falling.
Sheffield United v Burnley
‘S.O.S.’
23rd September 1975
It was getting worse. United were rock bottom with a solitary point.
Their defence was as impervious as muslin. We should have cleaned up. For the first thirty
minutes we swamped the home side. Peter Noble put us ahead with a superb individual goal
and there should have been more. But we blew it big time. The Blades were gifted two goals
and we were sunk.
Burnley v Leeds United
‘There Goes My First Love’
30th September 1975
Noble was ruled out through injury, so we struggled. Nevertheless, we
still managed to hit the Leeds woodwork three times but as a result of a defensive error,
Trevor Cherry scored the decisive goal. We were nineteenth.
Coventry City v Burnley
‘I Only Have Eyes For You’
4th October 1975
At last a victory! Away from home, too! On a grey windy afternoon,
Hankin put us into a first half lead. Quite improbably, the chance was set up by a
magnificent forward surge by Franz Beckenbauer masquerading as Jim Thomson. To be fair,
Thomson played splendidly throughout. He was at the heart of everything as Coventry
mounted attack after attack. He needed to be because Burnley were pretty ordinary. David
Cross’s second half equaliser had been on the cards for some time but much to our
surprise Burnley refused to crumble. And with only a minute or two remaining, James curled
a free kick around the Coventry wall to snaffle us two priceless points. It was probably
James’ one worthwhile contribution. Worryingly, he often appeared out of sorts in
these early games.
Liverpool v Burnley
‘Who Loves You’
7th October 1975
This was much better. Burnley defended resolutely in this League Cup
tie, taming both the scurrying Keegan and the towering Toshack. Then midway through the
second half, Noble escaped down the inside right channel. Homing in on the Kop end goal he
proceeded to rifle the ball low past the advancing Clemence. It looked as if we would
repeat last year’s magnificent feat but with time running out our defence finally
lost concentration and Jimmy Case seized the opportunity to equalise. However, it looked
as if we had turned the corner.
Manchester City v Burnley
‘Hold Me Close’
11th October 1975
The revival continued. Again, Burnley defended well with Alan
Stevenson and Keith Newton prominent. Even with the attacking talents of Rodney Marsh, Joe
Royle, Colin Bell, Asa Hartford and Peter Barnes, City fired blanks. It could have been
worse for them, too. Hankin had a brilliant opportunity to seal the game but his downward
header was too powerful and bounced up over the bar with Corrigan beaten. James,
who’d provided the chance, played brilliantly. Burnley were a different side when he
was on song. The point gained here enabled us to rise one place to seventeenth.
Burnley v Liverpool
‘Una Paloma Blanca’
14th October 1975
We rode our luck in tonight’s League Cup replay. Liverpool
cramped us for space and we never really got going. We had to defend stubbornly again but
thanks to another Noble penalty, we scraped through. The bad news was that Hankin was
injured. He might be out for three weeks.
Burnley v QPR
‘Fame’
18th October 1975
On a bright afternoon, Frank Casper returned to help us defeat the
League leaders. QPR had played some sensational football to take them to the top. Gerry
Francis’s early season goal against Liverpool had the TV pundits drooling hyperboles.
Nevertheless, today we neutralised them. It wasn’t much of a game and a point seemed
to be due reward. We reckoned without Frank. His twenty-five yard free kick fizzed into
the net to give us a late winner. It was Frank’s 100th League goal and,
sadly, his last. The two points enabled us to remain in seventeenth position.
Aston Villa v Burnley
‘Feelings’
25th October 1975
Jimmy Adamson took a big risk. Desperate for some aerial power, he
restored the unfit Fletcher to the fray. The heavy surface was hardly ideal as Paul
struggled to find his feet. It was sod’s law that he should be gifted our first
chance. Unfortunately, he screwed his left foot shot wide from ten yards with only
‘keeper Burridge to beat. But midway through the second half we grabbed the lead.
Flynn’s diving header rebounded from Burridge’s knee and there was Peter Noble
to crack in the loose ball. Unfortunately, ‘Uwe’ then diverted a Villa effort
past Stevenson to give the home side a fortunate point. We seemed to have taken up
squatter’s rights to seventeenth position.
Burnley v Stoke City
‘Love Is The Drug’
1st November 1975
Stoke came to Turf Moor with the best away record in the Division.
They went away with it enhanced. It was a tremendous contest – nip and tuck right
until the end but with Mahoney, Hudson, Salmons and Haslegrave prompting Moores and
Greenhoff, Stoke had a bit more fire-power. Moores scored the decisive goal when he
crisply converted a low left wing cross. We were finally evicted from seventeenth place.
Leicester City v Burnley
‘Imagine’
8th November 1975
This was an important game. Leicester were just one place below us
with two fewer points. We needed a result. Hankin was restored but Fletcher and Casper
were unfit. On a grey, overcast afternoon, we competed but ultimately hobbled to defeat.
Keith Weller clipped Leicester into an early lead but Noble put us back on terms with a 14th
minute penalty. It was his last contribution. Worse still, his groin strain would sideline
him for two months. Noble’s replacement, Ingham, then sustained a nasty ankle injury.
With James, Newton and Docherty receiving knocks, too, Burnley struggled. In the second
half, James’ well-placed drive kept us on level terms after Kember had stabbed
Leicester 2-1 ahead. Flynn also hit the post. Certainly, we deserved at least a point
before substitute, Frank Worthington, set up Chris Garland for a late winner. We retained
eighteenth spot but only on goal difference.
Burnley v Leicester City
‘Hold Back The Night’
11th November 1975
Revenge came quickly, if only in the League Cup. As with the Liverpool
ties, I’d willingly traded the results for League points. With leading scorer, Noble
now out and Fletcher and Casper still crocked, we didn’t have too much up front. In
fact, we struggled to put a team out tonight. With Newton and Ingham also injured,
Summerbee had to play at left back! However, Leicester were awful. Hankin and Morgan
(penalty) provided us with our easiest victory of the season but we needed this boost. On
the following Saturday we had a crucial home game with fading Wolves.
