What follows is an interview I did
with former Claret Mike Conroy, then at Preston North End. In it he talks freely of life
at Burnley and the contractual difficulties which eventually led to his departure from
Turf Moor. At the time there had been much adverse publicity about his leaving emanating
from the club, and this was Mike’s opportunity to get a few things off his chest and
put his side of the story.
What is your favourite memory of your time playing for the Clarets?
I have many fond memories but it has to be the night we won the league.
That night will live with me for the rest of my life. To play with such a great bunch of
lads for such a big club who were starved of success was something it’s hard to
explain.
Did you have problems settling in the North West?
None whatsoever, I’ve never been so happy since leaving Glasgow. I
like it so much I’m actually thinking of living here indefinitely. I have no problems
with the people or the area, I feel really settled here.
What did you make of the reception you received on your return in the
Coca Cola Cup with Preston?
Obviously with the supporters not getting the true story – they
thought I wanted to leave – I expected a hard time, but I’ve had many letters
and cards apologizing for that night and also wishing me good luck. I am only sorry I
couldn’t get the truth out in the open.
Was there any animosity between you and the Burnley management?
None at all, although Jimmy Mullen was quoted as saying some things in the
press which weren’t true. Certainly in the two years I had there I had a good
relationship with Jimmy Mullen. He actually signed me, although sometimes I feel he
could’ve done more for me regarding a new contract.
Can you explain to us why you refused the contract offer?
I think I covered that in my note. [At the time, Mike didn’t want
details printing, as he didn’t want to cause any more bad feeling, although I think
it is safe to say that with the passage of time the details can be revealed in full.
League rules stated that a footballer could not be given a pay cut and the way Burnley
tried to get around this was by offering Mike a slightly improved basic wage, therefore
not infringing League rules, but reducing his bonuses to such an extent that he would have
in real terms been facing a total deficit of around 7% on his previous deal.]
[Mike continued] People forget we have houses to pay for, bills, food and
clothes, just like everyone else. Now if someone is asking you to take a pay cut and
another party is offering you a considerable rise what would you or anyone else do? I am
no different.
After scoring 30 goals in 1991/1992 how much of a disappointment was
your goals return the following season?
Strikers are never happy. I could have had 35 the previous year. I’m
not one for excuses. The team didn’t do as well, so strikers don’t get as many
chances. Many times I found myself crossing instead of being in the middle.
‘Inchy’ had never scored 20 goals before, and I’d like to think I had a big
hand in him getting that amount. Injuries and suspensions didn’t help but obviously I
was sick – that’s football!
You quickly became a crowd favourite. Do you feel this put you under
more pressure to live up to the previous season?
No, not really. The year before if I missed a chance I knew I’d get
another. I can’t say the same for last year. You can’t be crossing balls,
heading balls down and scoring at the same time. I’d like to look at every game and
find out how many chances I had. There weren’t that many.
Looking back at your time at Turf Moor are there any particular goals
that give you the greatest satisfaction?
Every goal gives me great pleasure, even in training. I can remember every
single goal of my career. It’s difficult to single any out. To score on my home debut
in a derby was superb, against Blackpool this season proved a point, the winner against
Shrewsbury – John Bond and all – the goal at Cardiff to give me 20 goals and
become the first Burnley player in 27 years to do it
If a tribunal had settled the transfer and Preston, unable to meet the
asking price, had pulled out, how difficult would it have been to return to Turf Moor?
Not difficult for me. Possibly for the management, because I know I would
have got in the side sooner or later. I would have been where I wanted to be, but would I
have been where the club wanted me to be?
Did you have any other offers?
I had a couple from both sides of the border, but John Beck impressed me
very much. I didn’t fancy Scotland at all.
What was the attraction of PNE?
The sheer professionalism of the place under John Beck. Obviously the
contract came into it as well. Working for Beck has given me a new outlook and everything
you hear about him isn’t always correct. Plus I didn’t have to leave the Burnley
area.
What do you feel was the missing ingredient from last season?
I obviously have my opinion as everyone else does, but I think only Jimmy
Mullen could answer that as he’s the manager. Maybe he felt I shouldn’t have
been there as I have since moved.
You were linked with a couple of big money moves, were these just
rumours or did Burnley’s refusal to sell sour the relationship somewhat?
The relationship was never sour and I only knew what I read in the paper.
Players know nothing unless the club decides to tell them.
Your first Burnley goal was against Blackburn. Did you realise at the
time how important it was to the supporters?
Before the game Ian Measham made a comment about me scoring against
‘them’. Obviously I knew there as rivalry, but certainly not as much as I later
learned. It was a great feeling to score against them.
What do you feel was your best performance for the Clarets?
This is a tough one! You can score goals but not play too well. You can
play well but not score. Some people – most people – judge me on the number of
goals I scored. Gillingham – three goals, but I didn’t have an outstanding game.
There would have been games where I played well but didn’t score.
How highly do you rate the supporters?
There is only one side that can compete with the loyalty of the supporters
and they’re Scottish. The support is very passionate about the game and it’s an
honour to have played for those supporters and such a club.
What do you think of the plastic pitch at Deepdale?
It’s getting pulled up next year. If we can use it to our advantage
all the better, but I’d rather play on grass, as would all the Preston players.
And finally, if you could turn back the clock would you change or do
anything differently?
Yes! I would’ve scored every chance, I wouldn’t have got
sent off, I wouldn’t have broken a toe, instead of hitting a post I would have put
the ball in the net, instead of doing 45mph and getting booked for speeding I would have
done 30. Looking back with hindsight it’s easy to say ‘I should have done this
or that’ but I wouldn’t change anything drastic, except change the contract that
Burnley offered me to the one that Preston gave me.
