2/1 The old rumour linking Glen Little
with a move to Fulham is dusted off once again. Nice to see it back!
3/1 Notts County 2 Burnley 0. Welcome to
the new Century. Scorer: the inevitable Brett Angell (14, 62). Team: Crichton, West
(Swan), Branch (Smith), Mellon, Davis, Thomas, Little, Cook, Cooke (Jepson), Payton,
Mullin. Subs not used: Weller, Johnrose. Att: 8,229. See our match
report for details. Payton misses a penalty.
5/1 The first game of the Century at Turf Moor. Burnley
Reserves 1 Birmingham City Reserves 0. Scorer: Hilder own goal. Team: Mawson, Scott,
Cowan, Brass, Heywood, Johnrose, Weller, Robertson, Jepson, Maylett (Devenney), Smith. Tom
Cowan is booked, which means he will now be suspended for Oldham at home. Barry Kilby is
said to be unhappy at the ticket pricing for the game against Coventry. With Coventry
offering a low concessionary price of £5, the club isn't going to make as much as it
might like. The club has also complained to the FA about the allocation of tickets, but
Coventry gave us 4,000 when they only needed to offer us 15%, or around 3,000, so nothing
will be done.
6/1 Bristol City striker Tony Thorpe is linked
with Burnley. Thorpe confirms that he has been approached by the club. Although a
£1,000,000 signing from Fulham, he has made no impression at his new club. He was,
however, regarded as something of a talent at Luton, from where he knows Steve Davis and
Mitchell Thomas, and had a recent loan spell back there, but couldn't agree terms after a
mere £150,000 fee had been agreed. With Payton now free to talk to other clubs under the
Bosman ruling (along with Branch, Cook, Cowan, Jepson, Robertson and Swan), this fuels
speculation that we are lining up a replacement.
7/1 Ahead of the match at Coventry, The Guardian
run a terrific feature on Jimmy McIlroy focussing on the recent official opening of his
stand, which consists more or less of the great man in his own words. More prosaically,
Ronnie Jepson scarily graces that day's Independent. The rumour that Gary Ablett will be
joining us is briefly revived. Other rumours are that we have offered to swap Payton for
Thorpe, although Ternent has denied any interest, and that Brass, Cowan, Robertson and
Swan will soon be transfer-listed. Wigan's unbeaten run comes to an end as they lose to
improving Oldham.
8/1 Coventry 3 Burnley 0. Scorers: Chippo
(11, 69), Whelan (75). Team: Crichton, West (Branch 75), Armstrong, Davis, Thomas, Mellon,
Cook, Little, Mullin, Cooke, Payton. Subs not used: Jepson, Johnrose, Smith, Weller. Att:
22,774. See our match report for details. The FA Cup run comes
to an end. The Clarets are extensively featured on Football Focus, where Mitchell
Thomas’ jacket frankly disgraces the club in the eyes of the nation. Afterwards,
Ternent comments, "The main thing is that we came here and played very well and we
didn't embarrass ourselves. That was of great importance to me and I think the players
played really, really well." There’s also much praise from all quarters for the
support. The day starts surreally when Alastair Campbell namechecks Dover Claret Nigel
Blackburn in an article in the Sun. Meanwhile in the only competition that matters, second
division results seem to go Burnley's way. Rochdale Youth 0 Burnley Youth 2, with
goals from Maylett and Kevan.
9/1 More positive media coverage for the Clarets
with yet another article by London Clarets member Alastair Campbell, this time in the
Observer. Nice one, Alistair.
10/1 Tony Thorpe is now ‘definitely’
joining us on loan. Ternent says he’s a "proven goalscorer and I’ve always
had a bit of a shine for him." However, it's revealed that he isn't due to sign until
Friday, on the grounds that he will then be eligible to play in one extra game during his
loan month. He will spend the week training with us. Meanwhile, alleged target Ablett
thankfully joins Steve-McMahon's-Blackpool.
11/1 Latest Andy Payton rumour: off to Hearts at
the end of the season. But does he really want to drop down a level?
12/1 Okay, forget Thorpe. The deal flounders and
he is returns to Bristol City. There are a million rumours surrounding this, from his
alleged lax attitude having allegedly infuriated Ternent to the perhaps more concrete fact
that Bristol City have just changed managers again and he might now fancy his chances
there. It's also suggested that City want to do a permanent deal and decide on a fee
before they let him go on loan. Sean Devine, who recently missed a penalty at the Turf for
High Wycombe, is the latest name linked. Lincoln Reserves 1 Burnley Reserves 0 in
the 'Pontins League Cup'. Team: Mawson, Scott, Swan, Williamson, Devenney, Bowden,
(Pilkington 75), Kelly, Kevan, Robertson, Maylett, Clark.
13/1 Another day, another striker rumour. Brett
Angell, recent scorer of two goals against the Clarets and the proverbial
player-who-always-scores-against-us, is said to have turned down a loan move to the club.
He's back at Stockport, from who we've signed the odd player - some odder than others -
after refusing to take a pay cut to sign for Notts County. According to Stockport, he's
only interested in a permanent move. The Thorpe deal is confirmed as definitely off,
although Ternent describes the problem as a "hiccup" and appears hopeful of
getting a move together in the future. John Mullin goes down with a chest infection.
14/1 More Thorpe rumours suggest that his
transfer stalled because he is still owed money from his move to Bristol City from Fulham.
Mark Winstanley is told he is surplus to requirements at Shrewsbury and may leave by new
manager Kevin Ratcliffe. Although he has tried to sign strikers, Ternent says he’s
happy with the two we have, and doesn’t want to sign anyone who might spoil the team
spirit.
15/1 Chesterfield 1 Burnley 1. Scorers:
Payton (4) / Williams (74). Team: Crichton, West, Cowan, Armstrong (Brass 52), Thomas,
Johnrose, Little, Cook, Cooke (Branch 70), Payton, Weller (Jepson 80). Subs not used:
Smith and Swan. Att: 4,214. See our match report for details.
After dominating the first half, Burnley are incapable of withstanding the second half
pressure. Supporters exchange words with Ternent after the game, and Ternent later dusts
off the old appeal for supporters to get behind the team. He does, however, admit that the
team "lost the plot" in the second half. Clarets reject Steve Blatherwick is
apparently inspired for Chesterfield. Still, at least this is the first Chesterfield game
in living memory where David Reeves doesn't score against us. Meanwhile, it's a busy day
for Reject Watch, with Neil 'the Lollipop Man' Moore scoring Macclesfield's opener in a
2-1 win - bet it was a header - and Graham Lancashire scoring twice in three minutes for
Rochdale to help them to a 3-3 draw. Tony Thorpe, naturally, scores twice for Bristol
City. Burnley hang on to sixth position, largely because results go our way, but it's a
lost opportunity and the top now looks a very long way off. Armstrong and Cooke both pick
up injuries. This is the lowest attendance for a Burnley league match this season.
17/1 Brian Horton, currently manager of Port
Vale, denies that his club want Andy Payton. Payton has twice before played for clubs
managed by Horton and Vale scouts were at Saturday's game.
18/1 The club announce they are to host a dinner
in celebration of Jimmy McIlroy on Friday 4th February. And, briefly, yet
another striker is 'linked' with us. This time it's Gareth Taylor of Man City, who would
perhaps cost £400,000, but who later in the day joins Port Vale on loan. Still, at least
this means the Payton story is the usual crap. Ternent says that he may be prepared to
listen to offers for some of his squad players, if anyone comes in for them, for a
permanent move or on loan. Dates are announced for both matches against Gillingham. The
away game will take place on Tuesday March 14th, the home game will take place
on Wednesday April 18th.
19/1 No they won't. The League do not approve
the home date so another day will have to be set. And another one… this time it's
Gareth Grant, a 19 year old Bradford reserve player, who apparently played in a reserve
game that Ternent apparently saw. He later says he’s 'never heard of' the player. Port
Vale Reserves 1 Burnley Reserves 0. The Burnley team includes a triallist, James
Hindmarch, a central defender based in France. Team: Mawson, Scott, Devenney, Brass,
Hindmarch, Kevan, Williamson, Bowden, Robertson, Kelly, Smith. The club's new Media and
Public Relations Department, headed by Danny Reuben, announces that a revamped version of
the previously-attempted club magazine, The Claret, will go on sale at the end of the
month, costing £1. It is initially planned to be a bi-monthly publication, although it
could go monthly if there is the demand. Season ticket holders will also henceforth
receive a quarterly newsletter from the club. In addition, Burnley will be redeveloping
the official club website, and intend to maintain it with daily news from now on, with the
hope of making it the primary source of news on the web for Clarets fans. See how they're
faring at www.clarets.co.uk. News is in the
‘press room’ section.
20/1 And another one! Steve Jones of Bristol
City, not for the first time, is said to be poised to join us on loan. He was bought from
Charlton earlier this season but has not made an impression. How many of these have they
been? Bristol City report that Brentford and Reading are also interested. Barry Kilby
makes a plea for increased attendances at Turf Moor. While trying hard not to say he's
disappointed with the crowds, and conceding that football is an expensive pastime, he
suggests that an extra 2,000 on the average gate would cover the club's debts. He points
out that away attendances at Turf Moor are very poor, and that this is another reason why
we need to get promoted. We will not be following up our interest in Hindmarch.
21/1 It's rumoured that Kilby has called Ternent
in for a meeting with one item on the agenda: Burnley's loss of form and how to halt it.
Steve Jones now looks likely to join Brentford on loan, with a view towards a permanent
move for £475,000. More than we can afford.
22/1 Burnley 3 Oldham 0. Scorers Cooke
(24), Payton (62, 80). Team: Crichton, West, Branch (Smith), Armstrong, Thomas, Davis,
Mellon (Mullin), Cook (Jepson), Johnrose, Cooke, Payton. Subs not used: Swan and Weller.
Att: 12,391. See our match report for details. We switch to
five at the back in Little's absence and fairly comfortably beat a form side. Andy Payton
always scores against Oldham, according to their fans, which makes a nice change. Payton's
first goal is his fiftieth for Burnley, and means his strike rate for the club is better
than a goal every two games. Incidentally, this is the first time Cooke and Payton have
scored in the same game for more than a year (Bristol Rovers 3 Burnley 4, January 9th
1999). Afterwards, both Cooke and Payton are publicly keen to stress the value of their
partnership. Dean West gets a booking and will miss the game against Bristol Rovers. We
move to fifth, below Wigan, Bristol Rovers, Preston and Millwall. Our better than normal
crowd means we have the second highest average gate in the division, after ‘how many
free tickets do you want?’ Preston. Meanwhile, another busy day for ex-Clarets with
Robbie Painter scoring for Halifax, Graham Lancashire for Rochdale and Albert Pickering
for Chester. One other score of note is Barnsley 5, Blackburn 1.
24/1 Paul Weller is transfer-listed. It's
thought he's unhappy at the lack of first team opportunities following his return from
illness, having been dropped to unused sub against Oldham a week after starting the game
and making his 100th Burnley appearance at Chesterfield. Ternent says he can't
guarantee anyone a place, so will allow him the opportunity to move on. Weller is under
contract and will go cost something. Alan Lee is said to be recovering from his injury
ahead of schedule and hasn’t ruled out playing before the end of the season.
25/1 Burnley Reserves 2 Man City Reserves 0.
Scorers: Day own goal and Robertson, although Little unsuccessfully tries to claim the own
goal. Team: Mawson, Scott, Cowan, Brass, Heywood, Jepson, Little, Weller, Swan, Robertson,
Smith. Subs not used: Williamson, Paxton, Devenney, Kevan and Kelly. Robertson and Swan
play as strikers. Rejects on target include Blatherwick for Chesterfield and the
preposterously bad Matt Hewlett for Bristol City. The Gillingham home game is now arranged
for Tuesday 22nd February, making February a packed and potentially decisive
month. Tony Shandran is out for a month with a hernia problem.
26/1 It must be about time for another striker
rumour. So, step forward Paul Robinson, 21 year old reserve team striker at Newcastle,
apparently keen for a move, allegedly interesting Burnley and Wigan. Robinson signed for
£500,000 from Darlington in 1998, but after doing bugger all is now said to be worth
£1,000,000 and therefore surely out of our league. Friend-of-a-friend Newcastle sources
suggest a loan move.
27/1 Ray Ingleby touts the club's new telephone
service to a sponsors’ evening at Turf Moor. Allied Dunbar and the Alliance and
Leicester are also confirmed as the club's partners in marketing a range of
Burnley-related financial products, such as insurance, savings, mortgages, credit cards
and loans. Andrew Watson reveals that nine extra sponsors boxes have been sold since the
summer, with revenue up from £3m to over £5m.
28/1 A Little rumour, just for a change. Player
plus cash deal with Charlton? Seems to be no truth in it. P3 Computers say they want to
sponsor the shirts next season and will be looking to put a deal together. There has been
speculation that the club are seeking a larger offer. P3 were the only company to offer to
sponsor when Endsleigh's deal came to an end, but things have taken a turn for the better
since then. That said, P3 say their business has doubled since sponsorship. A one year
deal is a possibility. Or perhaps they'd prefer an excuse to change the shirts again?
There is a sale on at the club shop, after all.
29/1 Stoke 2 Burnley 2. Scorers: Payton
(76 pen, 83) / Thorne (always scores against us 68), Davis (own goal 71). Team: Crichton,
West (Smith 63), Branch (Little 63), Armstrong, Davis, Thomas, Johnrose (Swan 74), Cook,
Mullin, Cooke, Payton. Subs not used: Mellon and Jepson. Att: 15,354. See our match report for details. A dull game bursts into life at
the end. Stoke's Graham Kavanagh misses a penalty a minute after our equaliser. Stoke try
every trick in the book to put Payton off his penalty. Payton later says, "Kavanagh
was stood right behind me shouting 'I bet you a tenner you miss,' So I said 'right, I bet
you a tenner I score.' I haven't see him since because he missed that one didn't he?"
Stoke's manager later complains that they should have had more penalties. Payton is now on
eighteen for the season, and is the highest league scorer in our division. We remain
fifth. The youth match at Oldham is postponed.
31/1 Warren-Joyce's-Hull (of course), Rochdale
and Rotherham are said to be watching Paul Weller. Chris Makin, Su'lan' full back, is
linked with the club, but this is quickly denied. Apparently he's fallen our with Su'lan'
boss Pee'ree, but as he's been playing in the premier league it still seems far fetched.
Preston have also been mentioned. Burnley join a new adult education scheme aimed at
getting the unemployed and older workers trained to use computers in less intimidating
surroundings than a classroom. They’ll now be learning at Turf Moor, and Burnley have
been given £233,200 to run the scheme.
