Farewell to a baker's
dozen
Well, we've been waiting to find
out - and now we know. The Club announced today that ten more players
will be following Andy Payton, Paul Cook and Gordon Armstrong through
the Turf Moor exit.
The ten are as follows: Marlon Beresford,
Lee Briscoe, Ian Cox, Earl Davis, Steve Davis, Andrew Leeson, Nik Michopoulos,
Mark Rasmussen, Anthony Shandran, Andrew Waine.
The list is surprisingly long, and includes a few names that might
conceivably have featured on the retained list. Talking of which, we're delighted
to hear that both Graham Branch and Drissa Diallo have been offered new deals.
Let's hope they both put pen to paper soon.
But back to our unlucky leavers. Clearly, Stan has decided that it's time
for significant change. It can't be an easy job to tell people that their Burnley
careers (in
the
current climate, possibly their football careers) are over, but, in typical
Stan style, he certainly hasn't gone
in for any half measures.
Time will tell whether he was right - we certainly hope so, and we look forward
to speculating about who
might be coming in to
fill
the
gaps left behind. In the meantime we'd like to thank all thirteen released
players for their contributions to Burnley Football Club, and for the enjoyment
they've given us over the seasons.
We've knocked up a little summary of those leaving. If you've got anything
to add, why not share your thoughts
with us?
Gordon
Armstrong
In
a nutshell: one of Stan's first
signings. Left-footed defender / midfielder who
always gave a hundred percent.
We'll
always remember: the significant part he played in the "Ternent
revolution".
Marlon
Beresford
In
a nutshell: fans' favourite and superb
shot-stopper.
We'll
always remember: our Penalty King.
Lee
Briscoe
In
a nutshell: versatile and hard-working
left-sided player, at home in defence or midfield.
We'll
always remember: that game against Walsall in September
2001. We'd let a two-goal lead slip when Stan took off Ian Moore, to
a chorus of boos, and brought on Brisser. He scored two goals in four
minutes to turn the game around, and we eventually won 5-3.
Paul
Cook
In
a nutshell: classy left-footed midfielder
whom Stan signed from Stockport County. Always gave a hundred
percent.
We'll
always remember: he was instrumental (along with Tom Cowan) in
keeping us in Division Two in the 1998-1999 season. And his fantastic goal
against Walsall
in September 2001.
Ian
Cox
In
a nutshell: cultured defender,
signed from Bournemouth for a cool half million. Calm, composed and confident.
We'll
always remember: he was
our Player of the Season for 2000-01 - and what a season he had.
Earl
Davis
In
a nutshell: young defender who
never quite made the first team, but who was highly rated as a reserve
team player. Ended
his Burnley career on loan at Southport.
Steve
Davis
In a nutshell: commanding centre half, able to play in midfield
and also up front. A
calm and authoritative captain, and a firm fans' favourite over three
spells at the Club. Would be in many people's all-time Burnley XI.
We'll
always remember: his
winning goal against Spurs in the third round of the League Cup last November,
and his
tremendous overall contribution
to
Burnley Football Club.
Andrew
Leeson
In
a nutshell: young defender who
came recommended by legendary scout Jack Hixon, but who never quite made
the breakthrough to the
first team.
Nik
Michopoulos
In
a nutshell: accomplished Greek
international. An excellent shot-stopper.
We'll
always remember: his very first game for Burnley, away at Huddersfield
in September 2000. Only in goal because Paul Crichton had arrived late,
he turned in a flawless exhibition of goalkeeping that effectively allowed
us to win the game.
Andy
Payton
In
a nutshell: the Natural
Born Claret. A distinguished goalscoring career at several clubs,
but finally came home to his beloved Burnley when Chris Waddle
signed him in January 1998 in a swap deal that saw Paul Barnes
go to Huddersfield.
We'll
always remember: everything, but above
all, the goals. Division Two Golden Boot in our promotion season.
The hat-trick against Colchester in September 1999, and the
one against Oxford in Burnley's very last game of the 20th
century.
Mark
Rasmussen
In
a nutshell: young forward
who made brief appearances in our recent games against Gillingham
and Forest, but whose opportunities were
always likely to be limited given the wealth of striking talent
ahead of him.
Anthony
Shandran
In
a nutshell: young
striker who at one time looked set to break into the first team,
but it wasn't to be. Featured in the infamous 4-2 "penalty
defeat" at Crewe in
February 2001, but opportunities were limited thereafter and
he ends his Burnley career on loan at York City.
Andrew
Waine
In
a nutshell: another of
the youngsters who never quite made the breakthrough to the first
team, although he won plaudits for his midfield performances
in the youth and reserve teams. Had a brief taste of first team
action in our recent game against Gillingham.
And that, as they say, is
that. We'd
like to wish all of the players good luck in finding
new clubs and in their future careers. One thing is for certain:
wherever they
go, to us they'll always be Clarets.
Pauline
Pratley
1st May 2003
