Perfect
Scunthorpe 1 Burnley 2, 6 May 2000
(Wrexham 1 Gillingham 0)
Tim Quelch
We’re up! It still seems like a fantasy,
particularly while lukewarm sober. All those weeks of speculating, scanning the remaining
fixtures, calculating the odds, trying to manage rampant hopes (as only die-hard
pessimists must) – it’s over. On the way back we must have listened to the
sports headlines around a dozen times – just to hear the same message, to confirm
that same message – ‘Burnley are promoted from the Second Division’. The
BBC could hardly believe it, too. Until the news had sunk in, their earlier bulletins
added, ‘…and not Gillingham.’ The Observer’s headline was
‘Burnley steal it’. The truth was that the national media hadn’t fancied
us. The Independent couldn’t even be arsed to send a reporter to the game. In what
was probably a two-horse race, that is a disgrace! At various times, Wigan, Gillingham,
Millwall, Stoke and Bristol Rovers had big national coverage, in the press and on Saturday
lunchtime TV. Our brief moment of glory was confined to the FA Cup and we had to beat
Derby to earn that. And yet our unassailable will to win has finally triumphed (I
can’t believe I’ve just said that about a Burnley side).
Yesterday, we needed to draw upon all of that
indomitable spirit for this was a tough, tough game. Scunthorpe, although already
relegated, had no intention of paving our way to glory. Both their team and their
magnificent supporters were up for this as if they, too, were contesting an important
prize. For them a fierce pride was at stake. You’d expect that from a Brian Laws
outfit. And didn’t they let us know that? This was a hell of a scrap.
Life might have been easier if Payton hadn’t fluffed
Cooke’s excellent left wing cross in the 2nd minute. It was the sort of
opportunity that Payton usually buries without a qualm but he failed to get enough height
or power on his far post header. He indicated that the brilliant sun had blinded him.
Helped by Mullin’s strong running on the right (Little was consigned to the bench),
Burnley exerted early pressure on the Scunthorpe goal. However, they failed to make it
count and gradually the home team recovered their composure and sting. Despite their
chronic lack of goals this season, Scunthorpe started to look good going forward. Thomas
and Davis seemed uncharacteristically uncertain, especially when up against the tall,
muscular Torpey.
Wrexham’s 11th minute goal should have steadied the
nerves. The team could not fail to misunderstand the delirium in the away end. We all
started to mutter; ‘if it stays like this, we’re up.’ Wrong! Just ten
minutes later, Scunthorpe’s skilful, pint-sized midfielder, Lee Hodges, slammed a
30-yard drive against the underside of our crossbar and in. Now there was no question of
holding on and Burnley were clearly rattled. Cook’s distribution in the first half
was woeful and Mullin began to fade through lack of service. Only Mellon seemed capable of
driving us forward and fittingly, it was his fizzing 25-yard half-volley that put us back
on terms. It was desperately needed. Until the Iron’s young keeper, Ross Turner, had
made a hash of Cook’s 41st minute corner to give Mellon the half chance,
Scunthorpe were dominant. Cooke and Payton were contained, our four midfielders were
nullified and our defence was struggling. Of course, goals turn games and within minutes
of Mellon’s brilliant equaliser, Burnley’s attacking prowess became restored.
Mullin broke free on the right and his crisp, right wing cross was met by Cooke.
Unfortunately, the header was directed straight at the Scunthorpe keeper. However, a 1-1
halftime scoreline was most satisfactory particularly given the pattern of play and
Wrexham’s continuing lead. None of us could relax, though. We were all impatient to
get halftime over. We all wanted to fast forward time to 4-50.
Not that the start of the second half helped our fraying nerves.
For we were soon up against it. Quailey just failed to convert an excellent left wing
cross and a long-range effort flashed narrowly wide of our left post. Davis was also
booked for a blatant but possibly crucial late tackle. However, we were now also
threatening to score on the break. In order to enhance our fire-power, Little was bought
on in the 64th minute to replace Branch, who’d done quite well. Cook was
moved to left back (where he performed admirably) and Mullin was switched to the left
midfield. At last Burnley began to take a decisive grip. Although seeming a bit out of
sorts, Little made a vital difference as our best player should. It wasn’t his
trickery that tipped the balance, though. Instead, it was his much neglected shooting
skills. For in the 73rd minute, his blistering drive from the edge of the box
hurtled past Turner and into the top left hand corner. At last we were in front. Wright
then came on for Cooke and, helped by Cook’s long clearances and Mullin’s
powerful wing-play, began to trouble the Scunthorpe back line. Although Payton hit the bar
with a header, we were now in control. Even the belated introduction of the dangerous
Ipoua couldn’t change our destiny. We were up.
The celebrations continued long after the game had ended much to
the disgust of the Scunthorpe faithful. They were understandably incensed at being forced
off their own pitch by the army of police dog-handlers and horsemen. It was such a pity
that this game couldn’t have been played at Turf Moor but that is being far too
picky. This was simply a glorious moment on a glorious spring evening. Of course, Stan and
everyone at Burnley FC for should be heartily congratulated for bringing about this
phenomenal turnaround in the Club’s fortunes. For the present, let’s dispense
with the analysis and the future prospects. Instead, just let us just enjoy this
magnificent achievement. It feels so bloody good.
Team: Crichton,
West, Davis, Thomas, Branch (Little 64), Mellon, Cook, Johnrose, Mullin, Cooke (Wright
74), Payton (Jepson 90). Subs not used: Armstrong and Lee.
Tim Quelch
The Promotion 2000
Archive and the very different home game
