The Heagin File
(musings of the self appointed
secretary of the 1987 back bench committee)
Division 1
Well, well, well. Would you believe it, back to the
promised land of Sheffield, Wolves and of course the home of Jack Walker's overpaid
fairies. Congratulations to Stan, the Board and the players on a top class season.
Incidentally, just when was the last time we went in to the last Saturday of the season
needing to win to go up? Still disappointed though about the response from the national
media to the Clarets' promotion, based as it was on Gillingham apparently throwing it
away. They were apparently unfortunate not to go up over the 46 game marathon, not a
sprint. The final league table tells no lies. The only downside of the whole day at
Scunthorpe of course, was the completely inadequate supplies of Bollinger or Krug in
Doncaster, and again on the train back to Kings Cross. Shame on you!
Supporters Clubs Meetings with the
Board
As one of the London Clarets who attended two of the three
‘ground-breaking into the twentieth century’ meetings with the BFC Board on
horrible mid week evenings at the Turf, I feel reasonably well qualified to lament the
recent demise of said soirees. The reason given by the General Manager Mr Andrew Watson is
that there is now no need for same, given the frequent attendance of the Executive at
individual supporters club meetings. Hmmm. Assume we will continue to see more of Bazza
Kilby then. Given the recent confusion over the price increase for next season’s
season tickets, not an auspicious start particularly as the club did in fact have a
reasonably cogent story to tell. The fan involvement in choice of new strips seems also to
have been a one-season wonder. Hope there is no backsliding, now the club is really
getting somewhere. One to watch closely methinks!
Home Matches Support Volume
There has been a good deal of discussion in recent times,
about the lack of atmosphere at the Turf since the erection of the new stands. Believe
that the home game against Millwall might have gone some way towards providing an answer.
The noise generated by the Clarets support in the two new stands, particularly in the area
closest to the Millwall lot, was deafening throughout the match. Hmmmm.
Old Boys
Walter Joyce’s little boy has fallen on his sword at
fashionable Hull, following a season of mid table mediocrity, and high salaries. Bit of a
shame really but not unexpected as they had obviously decided to give Brian Little a job.
Steve Morgan has also disappeared in the Hull end of season clear out, as has Mark
Winstanley at Shrewsbury.
It is of course not cause for joy when a soccer player loses his
job, but there are times when you actually believe there is a God, and the good guys
prevail sometimes. Readers of my paltry prose in previous months will have noted jaundiced
views on certain players who have played (?) on loan for us in the past. The detestable
Paul Stewart needs no comment from me. The man who came from Bristol City to the Turf
merely to get match fit for his Robins career whilst expending the least possible effort,
and who did not hide this fact, deserves a mention. Have a look at the released list at
Bristol City, and espy the name Matt Hewlett. Hmmmm.
Bob Lord
So the Bob Lord trophy, a Cup competition played for each
year by Conference teams, has been renamed the Nationwide Macmillan Trophy. Sad that the
last external (i.e non Burnley) vestige of the old boy has disappeared, but in some ways
positive. In this new soccer world lost in a vortex of self-gratification, sports cars and
opulence there is still thought for those less fortunate than themselves. Macmillan is a
Cancer Relief foundation.
Cardiff City
During a recent visit to the North East to visit the
in-laws, took in a visit to St James’s Park prior to which the entertainment not
unsurprisingly involved imbibing one or two halves of the local brew. During this session
I just happened to mention the top London Clarets web site, and my most recent modest
contribution to same, of the Cardiff away match report. One of the geordies in the group,
had lived and worked in Cardiff some years previously, and expressed some interest in said
report, as he still had friends in that fair (?) city.
Picture the scene some weeks later, following a call from the in
law’s congratulating the Clarets on the web site, and promising to pass on
interesting comment from interested Cardiff fans. Apparently Hego is now quite a well
known Claret amongst the Welsh heathens! Just what I need, good job we won’t be
playing them again.
Congratulations
Brownie points to the Legend on his election to the PFA 2nd
division team for this season. The fourth time he has received such an accolade. Top man.
Also to Glen Little who has received this well earned recognition of his genius for the
first time. No place however for the Padiham predator, unbelievably, who will have to make
do with the golden boot. Macken and Roberts earned the plaudits up front. The Natural Born
Claret has now taken his overall Claret tally to 62 in just over 100 games with 27 this
season, which in it self is the top scoring Claret performance since the days of Willie
Irvine in the mid 60’s.
Stan the man deservedly earned the Nationwide Manager of the Month
for April after a cracking run of six wins in seven games spoilt only by the dismal
Gillingham display. Apparently Stan won three of these monthly awards whilst at Bury, and
of course the seasonal award when they won the Championship.
Back Bench Committee AGM
Said meeting took place during a post season trip to see
Godalming play football, which included two committee usurpers Woody and Benny. No minutes
of the very last committee meeting for perusal as the six year old secretary is on strike,
and was not allowed in the various hostelries anyway. Have a nice break between football
seasons.
Hego
July 2000
