1/7 Ternent is said to be considering
withdrawing his contract offer to Robertson. Rochdale FC apologise to their fans for
moving them out of a home stand to make way for Burnley supporters in our forthcoming
friendly.
2/7 ARGH! A terrible rumour infests
the internet that none other than Darren Peacock, currently a hilarious defender with a
fellow local first division side, is about to sign for us.
3/7 The club announce that the
sponsorship deal of the Harry Potts Longside Stand by James Hargreaves Plumbers' Merchants
has been extended for another year. There had been some speculation that it was about to
be renamed the Time Stand as part of an overall sponsorship package. There is no
speculation that it might be renamed the Harry Potts Stand in recognition of our greatest
Manager.
4/7 Ian Cox says he will be
concentrating on getting fit and back into the first team, rather than playing
internationally for the moment. He undergoes a minor operation corrective operation on his
injured wrist after the plaster is removed.
5/7 A wonderfully sentimental moment
at Turf Moor, as former Scout Jack Hixon rejoins the club payroll. Those who know their
history will need no background. Hixon is a legend, whose place in Burnley history is
assured. He was the club's North East Scout in the 50's and 60's, and it was he who was
responsible for filling the team with great Geordie players like Brian O'Neil and Ralph
Coates. He was also behind the signing of one Francis S Ternent. Hixon is best known in
football as the man who discovered Alan Shearer for Southampton, but we prefer to think of
him as the man who found Steve Davis. Current youngsters Anthony Shandran and Andrew
Leeson were recommended by Hixon. Now, 33 years after leaving us, he's been put back on
the payroll to try to unearth a few more gems for the club. Hixon is 79 now, but after
some health problems last year still goes to six games a week and will, no doubt, still
have as sharp an eye for talent as ever. Ternent says, "The man has an eye for a
player when he sees one. He has a proven track record and he's a fantastic judge of a
footballer." Hixon says, "I have always had an affinity to Burnley because I
started there and the ties are strengthened by the present management set-up, along with
Jimmy Robson and Arthur Bellamy. I have always been Claret and Blue orientated. I have a
close allegiance with the club because it was a wonderful time and I just hope and pray
they can continue their revival. They have revived already, of course, because they are
back in the First Division with a manager with ambition and the will to take them there,
and the nucleus of a side. It would always be a good time to come back because of the
affinity I have for the place and the people." It's strongly rumoured that our new
sponsors will be Time Talk, a mobile phone division of Time Computers.
6/7 We make our first signing of the
summer - kind of. John Boardman, a 19 year old Liverpool youth player, signs a one year
contract. He had been with us on trial in April, when he played twice for the reserves,
impressing those who watch these things. Liverpool's Under-19 coach Hughie McAuley says,
"He's a tremendously hard working lad who's learning all the time and a strong
defender with an educated left foot. I'm sure he will do well at Burnley and we wish him
all the best for the future." He played 18 times for their youth team and once for
their reserves in 1999/00.
7/7 Chris Brass, in the final year of
his contract, says he intends to stay at Burnley and fight for his place.
8/7 The London Clarets AGM takes place
at the Sekforde Arms in Clerkenwell, and is well attended by our members. Special guests
are Barry Kilby and Peter Pike MP. Among other things, we learn that Ian Wright's signing
was partly inspired by a survey the club carried out in local schools which revealed that
only half of the children described themselves as Burnley supporters, that one of the
reasons why the sponsorship deal has not been finalised is that the colour of the logo
would clash with the new shirt, and if things can't be resolved we are prepared to start
the season without a sponsor, and that Ternent has five signings in mind, one of whom is
stopping at Ternent's house. Barry Kilby also presents his baby Peruvian llama hair coat
so that it can be worn at the first game back in Division One, as agreed. See the photos. Alan Lee returns to pre-season training in a bid
to build up his fitness for next season. Lee admits that his injury forced him to take his
fitness more seriously and spending time around the club when injured has helped him to
settle in.
10/7 Ternent returns to work after a
second holiday, although there's some speculation he has been scouting, or talking to Ian
Wright. The scholars start pre-season training. Gordon Armstrong starts physiotherapy
after his ankle operation.
11/7 Two deals that won't be coming
off: Alan Fettis signs a new contract at York, Scott Green does the same at Wigan. Ternent
says once again that he is required to work within a budget. He comments, "I've got a
decent squad. If I can get the players I want I will do it. If I can't we'll just get on
with it. They have to be a certain type of player with a certain ability to come and play
for us. And they also have to be in a certain financial framework." He also stresses
that Boardman has a chance but the standard of football is higher next season.
12/7 Lee Briscoe joins us on a Bosman
free from Sheffield Wednesday. He's variously described as a left-sided defender and left
wing-back, and has a reputation as an athletic and determined player. Briscoe is 24 years
old, having been born in November 1975 in Pontefract, Yorkshire. His only permanent club
have been Sheffield Wednesday, who signed him from trainee in May 1994. He broke into the
first team squad but missed a lot of games in 1996/97 through groin injury. Since then he
struggled to get back into the side, and played 5 games for Manchester City on loan in
1997/98. His only Sheffield Wednesday goal was scored against Arsenal in 1998/99, when he
played quite a few games as sub. In 1999/2000 he started 7 games and came on 7 times as
sub, but didn't appear in the team after January. Despite this, Wednesday were supposed to
be keen on keeping him, and Wolves were also said to be interested. All in all, he has
started 41 Premier League games and played another 21 as sub, and has been capped 5 times
at Under 21 level by England. According to the official Sheffield Wednesday website,
"The left sided wing-back likes nothing better than taking men on and beating them,
showing that his conversion from a winger has done nothing to dampen his attacking
instincts… Briscoe is struggling to hold down a regular place in the side this season
but can always be relied on when called to perform." Ternent says simply, "He's
top-class and ideal for us." Scott Oakes, also from Sheffield Wednesday, joins us for
training. He's best known from his Luton days, although he's arguably more famous for
being the son of a member of Showaddywaddy. However, despite long rumours to the contrary,
it doesn't look like Nicky Daws will be joining him. In what could be read as a 'get me
out of here' note, Daws says, "I expect to be here at Bury for the start of the new
season… I know I could do a more than adequate job in the First Division…
Ideally I would like to play for a side locally at a higher level, but if the financial
situation changed for the better, then I would certainly consider Gillingham… It
hurts that it's not Bury I am playing with in that division with anymore, but if Bury
can't help me fulfil my ambition then obviously I will be looking to play elsewhere."
The first team starts pre-season training, and Gerry Harrison is part of the squad on
trial from Su'lan' again, being given another chance to improve his fitness. Ternent says
he hasn't withdrawn his contract offer to Robertson, but points out that he hasn’t
heard from him and says, "the ball's in his court."
13/7 Ian Wright collects his MBE from
the Queen, accompanied by his mother and his wife. According to London media, he says,
"I told the Queen I've just retired as a professional footballer and I'm not missing
it so far." Making a surprise reappearance in the 'where are they now?' file is
former frustrating Burnley midfielder Mark Ford. Mark, being a chris waddle signing who
was allegedly good enough for the first division has joined the rest of his fellow intake
in the lower levels, having signed for Torquay from Lommel. Class will out. Meanwhile,
shorn of waddle's 'good enough for the first division' signings, it's notable that we are
now playing in the, err, first division.
14/7 We are allegedly after Mark
Hughes, a player as old as Ian Wright but with a worse goalscoring record. This rumour
appears in the Liverpool press. Mitchell Thomas says he never wanted to leave Burnley in
the summer and was happy to negotiate a compromise contract with the club. Speaking in the
Lancashire Evening Telegraph, he winningly comments, "As I've said before I love the
place. I came here to win things and nothing's changed in that department."
15/7 A heavily trailed programme about
Alastair Campbell's role at Number 10 is broadcast. It is disappointingly lacking in
references to Burnley, although there are a couple of nice Clarets-related posters in his
office.
16/7 A move for Nicky Summerbee from
Su'lan' is floated, but Bradford seem more likely to get him.
17/7 Our latest signing is Phil Gray.
He has, naturally, signed on a Bosman free transfer, on a two year contract, from Luton.
With Davis and Thomas already at the club and Scott Oakes and Gerry 'Geddo' Harrison both
training with us at the moment, we now have five former Luton players in the squad. Well,
they always did beat us at Turf Moor. Gray is 31 years old and comes from Belfast. He has
21 Northern Ireland caps and 5 international goals to his credit. Luton signed him for
£400,000 from Fortuna Sittard in 1997, although he then suffered from back and knee
problems. He'd previously played for Luton in the early 90s before moving to Su'lan' and
Nancy. Gray is variously described at 5'9" or 5'10" tall (probably 5'9" +
1/2) and scored 11 goals for Luton last season. He apparently turned down two offers from
French clubs. Ternent says, "I'm delighted to have signed him because we definitely
needed a striker. We've only got Andy Cooke, Andy Payton and Alan Lee so signing Phil has
now given us more competition for places… He's one I've had my eye on for some time
but we were going well at the time so there was no need to bring him in… Once I met
him and his agent it didn't take too long to persuade him to sign for us. I don't bother
about how old they are. As long as they're good enough, that's all I'm worried
about." Gray says, "Once I knew of Burnley's interest it only took me about a
second to decide I wanted to come here." The new home shirts are unveiled, minus the
sponsor's logo. And they are beautiful. The club confirm that the sponsorship deal has
collapsed. Barry Kilby says, "Factors other than financial considerations did not
make the deal right for the club. During the last three months we have undertaken a
professional and thorough search for a club sponsor. This involved presentations to
agencies who specialise in securing sponsorship for sports clubs and directly to business
themselves. The club is searching for the right partner and the right financial deal which
we feel is a fair value of Burnley football club and an average figure of Division One
sponsorships. We got down to serious talks with four companies and received four offers.
Unfortunately, contrary to press speculation, two of those offers were below half of that
valuation and less than the average Division Two deal. We came much closer with two other
national brand names but factors other than financial considerations did not make the deal
right for the club. We feel that the famous claret and blue shirt is sacrosanct and is
worth a fair price. When I took over the club and brought in new management I felt that
the club should not sell itself cheaply by taking the best price on offer anymore and that
the club could reach for the stars… We feel we are justified in simply requesting a
fair price and the right overall sponsorship deal for Burnley Football Club. The famous
Claret and Blue shirt is known the world over, has been worn by some of the game's legends
and in some of football's biggest ever games, including League Championship victories, FA
Cup finals and the quarter-finals of the European Cup. The shirt is also worn by today's
current stars and by our superb supporters. We feel it is our duty to get the right deal
for this great club. We could do a deal tomorrow and feel sure people would say 'well done
in securing a new sponsorship' but we know we would be selling the club short." While
the shirt is modelled on the 1962 shirt, it is made out of a 'revolutionary new fabric'.
They always are, these days.
18/7 According to the Yorkshire Post
we have offered a contract to David Kelly, the 34 year-old Tranmere and Eire striker. He
is, however, also supposed to be training with Sheffield Utd. Tom Cowan signs for
Cambridge on a free. Crystal Palace are rumoured to be interested in involving Ian Wright
at the club in some capacity, possibly an honorary role. Burnley FC beat Burnley cricket
club in the traditional friendly. Mullin makes 45 and West is 39 not out.
19/7 More details emerge about the
breakdown of the sponsorship deal. It is said that at a late stage of the negotiations
Time reduced their offer and demanded more benefits. The club seem confident of securing a
deal for 2001/2002, but are prepared to play next season without a sponsor. There had been
some speculation that Time might settle for a white logo, but it now looks unlikely that
the deal will be revived.
20/7 According to the Sheffield press,
David Kelly had signed a one year deal at Sheffield Utd, despite being offered better
terms by Burnley. Plenty more fish in the sea. Ho hum, Ternent says he hasn't given up
hope of re-signing Wright. He hopes to speak to Wright when he returns from holiday and
points out that, having had an operation, he would currently not be fit enough to start
pre-season training anyway.
21/7 Frank Teasdale's resigns as a
Director. Our former Chairman says he's sure the club will continue to make progress.
Teasdale joined the Board in January 1985 and was made Chairman later that year, a
position he held until Barry Kilby took over in 1999. Ternent names his squad for the Isle
of Man. Briscoe and Gray are in, but Armstrong, Brass and Smith are not, while other new
signing Boardman and current trialists Harrison and Oakes are also left behind. The squad
of 19 is: Crichton, West, Thomas, Mellon, Davis, Little, Cook, Cooke, Payton, Johnrose,
Jepson, Mawson, Branch, Gray, Weller, Briscoe, Lee, Mullin and Cox. A maximum squad of 20
is permitted, fuelling speculation that a further new signing will join next week. Rumours
that a North West club have made an offer for Grimsby's Lee Ashcroft are true. However,
the club is Wigan. We seem to be competing with Wimbledon for players. They sign Mark
Williams from Watford, have taken Michael Thomas on trial and are linked with Paul
Robinson. All three were players we'd been 'linked' with. As if by magic, three other
speculative names take their place: Wayne Allison from Tranmere, Steve Staunton from
Liverpool and John Aliosi from Coventry.
22/7 Around 5,000 visitors turn up at
the Turf Moor open day, and are given a tour of the ground and the chance to watch a
training session. We're said to be on the brink of signing a midfielder.
23/7 Burnley 1 Oldham 3 in the Isle of
Man tournament. Mellon scores our goal, the first of the game. Scorers: Mellon (11) /
Rickers (18), Allot (47), Boshall (88). Briscoe starts the game, and Gray comes on as sub.
Team: Crichton, Thomas, Davis, Cox, Briscoe, Little, Mellon, Johnrose, Branch, Cooke,
Payton. Subs used: West, Weller, Gray, Lee, Jepson. SNU: Cook, Mawson, Mullin. Ternent
says it's all about fitness and we will be ready on August 12th. Cook is thought to be
injured, having not taken part in training the day before.
24/7 We make another signing, with 35
year-old Kevin Ball joining us from Fulham. Ball will be best known for his time at
Su'lan'. He was born in Hastings in November 1964 and played over 100 games for Portsmouth
before joining Su'lan' for £350,000 in the summer of 1990. There he played 330 league
matches and around 50 other matches, eventually leaving to join Fulham for £200,000 in
December 1999. Ball has a reputation as a combative midfielder who fills the 'holding
role'. He is 5'10" and played 15 times in the league and twice in the FA Cup for
Fulham last season. Although he wasn't out of contract, he has joined us on a free,
signing a two year deal. He was an immensely popular player at Su'lan', and now we have
Ball and Cox in the same team. Ternent says, "I've been chasing him a long, long
time… He's another experienced player and an extremely good one. The squad is getting
stronger all the time." Ball fills the 20th place in the IOM squad. Meanwhile, it's a
trip to the land of Cameron's in the Worthington Cup, as Burnley have drawn Hartlepool.
First leg is at Turf Moor on August 22nd, second a fortnight later on September
5th. Discussions on the formation of a new supporters' club, the Burnley Clarets
Supporters Club (eh?), take place at the Bull and Butcher pub in Burnley. Oldham win their
second game on the Isle of Man, beating the hosts 2-1, thereby meaning that we already
cannot make the final.
25/7 Lancaster 2 Burnley Reserves 6.
Scorers: Shandran (x3), Maylett (x2), Kevan. Team: Paxton, Scott (Leeson), Devenney, Brass
(Boardman), Armstrong (Williamson), Heywood (Davis), Harrison, Oakes (Wharton), Shandran,
Maylett, Kevan (Clark). Nathan Wharton is a young midfielder recently released by Oldham
and currently on trial. Burnley's new radio station, 2BR, is launched. Speaking in the
Lancashire Evening Telegraph, Kevin Ball says, "I hate being called a veteran,"
but goes on, "I was involved in the Isle of Man tournament many moons ago." He
plays the usual endearment game, saying, "in the North East and North West, football
is more than a leisure activity, it is a way of life. They are passionate people. The fans
were also great in Portsmouth and in Sunderland they are one of the best in the league.
I've heard Burnley are in the same mould so I'm looking forward to playing in front of
them." He should at least be fit, having already played in pre-season games for
Fulham.
26/7 Oh dear. Isle of Man 1
Burnley 0. Scorer: McGarvey (69). Team (4-4-2): Mawson, West (Cooke), Briscoe
(Branch), Ball, Jepson, Thomas, Weller (Little), Cook, Gray, Payton (Lee), Johnrose
(Mellon). See our match report for details. This is the first
time in their history that the Isle of Man have beaten a professional side over 90
minutes. We therefore finish bottom of our group and play Darlington in the last place
play off. In a tv interview, Vinnie Jones says that Stan Ternent has been in touch to talk
about him playing for us next season, and Jones is now considering the offer. Jones, 35,
has not played for almost two years, and has of course been pursuing a film career of
late. Sounds just what we need!
27/7 Squire's Gate 1 Burnley Reserves 2.
Squire's Gate are a Blackpool side, in case you were wondering, and score first. Shandran
scores both of ours. Team: Paxton, Scott, Devenney, Brass, Armstrong, Heywood, Harrison,
Oakes, Shandran, Maylett, Wharton. Subs: Kevan, Williamson, Boardman, Waine, Pilkington,
Robertson, Eaves. Boardman comes on as a sub in the second half. Lee Sharpe is again
‘linked’ with a move to us, and with Bradford’s attempts to sign a winger
having come to nothing, there’s speculation that they might want Little. Burnley are
given 5,225 tickets for Bolton.
28/7 We avoid being declared
officially the worst team in the Isle of Man due to Burnley 3 Darlington 2,
although we do go 1-0 and 2-1 behind. Scorers: Cook (35 pen, 76), Mullin (72) / Naylor (4)
Williamson (70). Team (4-4-2): Crichton, West, Cox, Ball, Branch, Little (Weller), Mellon,
Cook, Johnrose, Cooke, Lee (Mullin). Cook misses a second penalty, but scores his second a
minute later. Ball plays in central defence, Branch at left back. Davis is again out,
Briscoe has a "knock" and Thomas some ear trouble, while Gray is rested. Of the
tournament, Ternent says, "The results have never been important here. The main thing
is we have had three tough workouts and come through them all without any serious
injury." He adds, "We have had a smashing week on the island, the training's
been hard and I would love us to come back next year."
29/7 Speaking in the Lancashire
Evening Telegraph, Ternent confirms our interest in Vinnie Jones. He says "I speak to
Vinnie on a regular basis. It is something we've talked about before. I tried to sign him
a couple of seasons ago but he couldn't come because of work commitments. It came about
because we were talking about Ian Wright and how well he had done at Burnley. Vinnie said
'I could do that' and I said 'Why don't you?' I said come up and let's have a look at you
then. And that's where we are at." He adds that, with Ian Wright and Vinny Jones
possibly playing for us next season, "We could be the North's answer to
Chelsea." Nah, they're both English. Of Ian Wright, he says it's "not
unlikely" that he'll return. He'd be able to start training again in a couple of
weeks. A chat show host and a film star at Turf Moor? I'd rather have a couple of full
time footballers.
30/7 Yawn. Ian Wright is now rumoured
to be coming back in September, along with Jones.
31/7
