1/5 Two Burnley players,
Davis and Little, feature in the PFA divisional team. Payton and Thomas might have cause
to feel a bit miffed. The team is: Carroll (Wigan), Alexander (Preston), Davis, Jackson
(Preston), Bell (Bristol City), Gregan (Preston), Caskey (Reading), Little, Kavanagh
(Stoke), Macken (Preston), Roberts (Bristol Rovers).
2/5 Disaster strikes as Stan Ternent is awarded
Second Division Manager of the Month after winning six from seven games. We know what
happens next don't we? Ternent puts a brave face on it, describing it as "an honour
for the club", adding, "it's all credit to the lads because I live off their
backs." To make it worse, Gillingham then go on to beat Cardiff 4-1 after being 1-0
down and take 2nd, leaving us 3rd on goal difference. Despite their relegation and the
fact that many Clarets already have home end tickets, Scunthorpe say no more tickets will
be made available for our game, and advise that any Burnley supporter trying to get into
the home sections could face police action.
3/5 The 'spectacular announcement' unveiled in the
evening at a Turf Moor turns out to be nothing more exciting than a new 'exclusive'
membership scheme / lottery. Known as the Clarets Foundation, membership of the scheme
will be limited to 2,500 and will cost £2 per week. Membership will bring such benefits
as weekend access to the Turf Moor leisure centre, a quarterly magazine, priority along
with season ticket holders for big games, social events, a player of the month and year
award and a Christmas party. More persuasive may be the weekly draw for £500 and the once
a season £10,000 draw. The club point to similar schemes having been used by Bolton and
Palace in football and Wigan and Leeds (aha!) in rugby league, and hope that it will raise
£2,000,000 over ten years. The club announce that they have sold over 8,000 season
tickets in the discount period. Over 2,500 of these are the £35 junior season ticket.
4/5 The rumour that Little is going to Villa
continues to linger, with a price of £1,500,000 being the doubtless wide of the mark
suggestion. Less than 1,000 tickets for the big screen game are left on sale.
5/5 Ahead of what may be a big day, it all goes
very quiet: the calm before the storm.
6/5 Yes! Scunthorpe 1 Burnley 2, coupled
with Wrexham 1 Gillingham 0, means we're up! Scorers: Mellon (41), Little (73) / Hodges
(21). Team: Crichton, Thomas, Davis, West, Branch (Little 64), Mellon, Cook (Wright 74),
Johnrose, Mullin, Cooke, Payton (Jepson 90). Subs not used: Armstrong and Lee. Att: 5,862.
See our match report for details. Speaking after the game, Andy
Payton says, "I feel a bit numb. I thought we were going to win but I just had a
sneaky feeling Gillingham were going to do it. But they didn't and we're up and playing
Blackburn next season. It's fantastic for the Burnley fans, the town for everybody, all
the lads and the gaffer. It's been an unbelievable turn-around in the space of 18 months.
We've gone from a relegation side to a First Division side, which is down to the gaffer.
We're just absolutely delighted. I think at the end of the day we've won eight out of nine
and that's what's counted. The spirit's been there and we've peaked at the right time. We
are up there now and it's just fantastic. We've a lot to look forward next season with
some massive games. The Burnley fans have had a lot of grief over the last few years off
Blackburn fans and one thing or another. I'm not trying to promote anything here but it's
just fantastic for the Burnley fans to hold their heads up high again. We're back in the
First Division and that's the league to be in at this moment in time. To come back to my
hometown club two years ago and get promotion having banged a few goals in is just
superb." Paul Crichton comments, "I've never had a promotion in my life and this
team has done marvellously this year. Let's hope we can push on next year as well, but
let's enjoy this first. It's absolutely tremendous and to see the boys' reaction in the
dressing room is unbelievable. When we were 1-0 down it was horrible but we came back
again, which we've done time and again this season, and I think we've got a just result
for the season. We've gone 1-0 so many times this season and come back again, which shows
a lot of bottle from the boys. We knew Gillingham were losing 1-0 when we came off the
pitch with five minutes to go and then it was just keep your fingers crossed and hope for
the best. And then when the gaffer came in screaming that was it." Mitchell Thomas
looks forward to First Division football next season, saying, "It's been a great
twelve months. We've got some tremendous players here and for me to leave Luton and win
promotion the first season I've been here is a tremendous feat. There were a lot of things
happening at Luton with the takeover bid and they weren't sure about contracts. I could
have gone to Millwall or Wycombe but in the end Stan Ternent convinced me that he was
going to get players in who could do the job. He said come up and look at the stadium and
as soon as I came up the actual size of the club just sold it to me and I'm just delighted
that I made that decision. I think this is probably the only thing that ranks with maybe
the Cup final. I've got an England 'B' cap and been in the full England squad but I would
say this is the highlight of my career, winning promotion. Winning seven out of eight at
the end of the season is a great feat. We have done it the hard way but you don't achieve
anything without hard work." Meanwhile, Lenny Johnrose says, "I think I proved
quite a few people wrong. I got quite a lot of stick from certain quarters when I left
Bury to come here. Obviously they got relegated and we got promoted the next season so
it's superb and I think I've made the right decision. It's absolutely tremendous, although
it hasn't quite sunk in yet. There was a lot of expectation and we knew it was going to be
difficult. But it's worked out on the last day of the season which is tremendous. We had a
similar thing at Bury once when we had to win a game and hope that Darlington dropped
points at Scunthorpe and it worked out for us. And a huge thanks to Wrexham by the way. It
was never going to be pretty. I don't think anyone gives you anything for nothing and we
had to grind out a result which we got with two great goals. I think it's good that the
two best supported teams in the division got promoted straight away. I think that's just
about justice really and I think Burnley should be in the First Division or even higher
than that." Ronnie Jepson says, "When he arrived the place was in a mess. I've
been at a few clubs in my time and one or two had problems but I'd never seen anything
like this. The gaffer had to sort it all out and it's not been easy. I think they were
close to sacking him once or twice, and maybe he was ready to walk out at times, but they
stuck with him and they were right. He lives and breathes Burnley, this job is his
life." Ternent takes the opportunity to answer his critics, saying, "Promotion
is always special, but this is especially so because it is Burnley, the club I joined from
school at 15 and which has always meant the most to me. When I came back to Burnley in
1998 the club needed major surgery and I got some stick for doing what I knew was right.
Since late last season when we finished with an 11 match unbeaten run, I felt this was our
destiny and knew we could prove the doubters wrong. I'm delighted for our supporters. They
deserve this, but the credit belongs to the players and the directors, especially our
Chairman because he made sure I got the men I wanted. All I've done is select and reject
and choose players who have responded magnificently." He goes on, "We shall
enjoy this moment but we have to crack on and it is vital to maintain our progress and
status because we have worked very hard to get this far. We must ensure we are ready for
the bigger challenge at a higher level next season."
7/5 Rather poor reporting of our triumph in the
Sunday papers, who all seem to have covered Gillingham's game in the mistaken assumption
that they were going to be promoted. Fantastic hangovers are had.
8/5 Ternent is already turning his mind to next
season, saying, "We will stay in the First Division, I will make sure of that. It
will be difficult and there will be setbacks along the way, but we will get our 50-odd
points to stay up." He intends to sit down with Wright to try to persuade him to stay
on, even on a month by month basis. He adds, "Preparations are already under way for
the coming campaign. I've been on with that for the past couple of months. At the moment
it's a bit euphoric around the place but the challenge starts from today. We've achieved
First Division status and we need to maintain that at this time next year. That would be
my immediate target to consolidate as a First Division football club. Manchester City have
been promoted so anything's possible. But I would take a consolidation in the First
Division. I think it's marvellous for the supporters and everybody connected with the club
that we can play Preston, Blackburn and we can play a lot of derby matches. Some good
players will be coming to Burnley and we will be going to some good places. It will be
difficult but we have the resilience and the quality of player than can handle it, I'm
sure. I've got a pretty decent squad. Only time will tell if they are good enough to play
at First Division level. I'm convinced they are." Glen Little says he's confident we
can stay up there, adding, "We look at ourselves as a big club and so, hopefully, we
can take the step up." Steve Davis comments, "You can't really compare it to
when we went up before, because the structure of the club has changed." Barry Kilby
says money will be available for squad strengthening.
9/5 A supporters' clubs player of the year
presentation night is held at Turf Moor, and Andy Payton walks away with most of the
gongs. The list of awards to date: Accrington Clarets - Payton (with special awards for
reaching 200 career goals to Payton, for keeping 21 clean sheets to Crichton and for
achieving promotion to Ternent); Barrowford Clarets - Thomas; Boundary Clarets - Payton
(with awards for young player of the year to Shandran, goal of the season to Little for
his stunner against Bristol Rovers, most improved player to Crichton and a special
achievement award to Payton); Burnley Supporters' Club - Payton (with awards for young
player of the year to Mawson, most promising teenager to Shandran, goal of the season to
Little for his majestic strike against Bristol Rovers and a special achievement award to
Payton); Clarets Independent Supporters Association (CISA) - Payton; Colne Clarets -
Payton (with an award for young player of the year to Mawson); Earby Clarets - Payton;
Junior Claret and Blues - Payton. Rossendale Clarets - Thomas (with an award for young
player of the year to Shandran); Shooters Arms Clarets - Payton; South West Clarets -
Payton. You may notice one club conspicuous by its absence - the London Clarets are unable
to make a presentation as the club wanted to know our selection before the season had
ended, while man of the match votes from the last games could of course decide it.
Modestly, Payton comments, "This should be about the team and the gaffer. I'm
honoured to win so many awards, especially when they are voted for the by the fans, but
it's all about the team, not me. It was a team effort that got us up." He then goes
on to talk about his targets for the season, saying, "I'm going for 250 and then when
I get there I'll want 300. But first I want to get my 100 for Burnley and I want to beat
this season's total."
10/5 The club attend a civic reception hosted by
the Mayor of Burnley at Burnley Town Hall, before which they parade in an open topped bus.
Stan Ternent also collects his April Manager of the Month Award. He comments, "It is
an honour for the club and players. Fortunately for me I'm the manager and I get the
bottle of champagne." The Nationwide League representative, Chris Hull, says that
Ternent is one of the county's top ten managers, given his promotion track record. The
pre-season friendlies begin to firm up. In addition to the Isle of Man tournament, we will
be playing Newcastle United and Manchester City at Turf Moor, probably on Monday 31st July
and Wednesday 2nd August respectively. A further friendly on Saturday 5th August, one week
before the start of the season, is likely to be arranged. Ian Wright says he has a
"really tough decision" to make this summer, adding after the open top bus tour,
"I'm going to have to make a decision but it's really hard, seeing all this."
Wright modestly goes on, "Coming to Burnley I knew we weren't going to be staying in
that division. That's what I came here for, a little bit of success and to help them with
the promotion push. When I got here everyone was more confident that they were going to do
it. And I'm just pleased that they had that much confidence in me."
11/5 Burnley will be presented with a silver salver
and medals by the Nationwide League before our friendly against Newcastle, in recognition
of our promotion. Lancashire police and both clubs are in talks about next season's games
against Blackburn. There is speculation that both games may be for home season ticket
holders only, with big screen coverage at the other ground. The squad depart for a golfing
holiday in Portugal.
12/5 Peter Swan signs a new one year contract at
York.
13/5 In the play-offs, being played on Saturday for
a change, Stoke beat Gillingham 3-2 and Millwall and Wigan finish 0-0. Wigan take easily
less than 1,000 fans to the New Den! It looks like Birmingham away next season, as they
crash 4-0 to Barnsley.
14/5 It's two trips to Selhurst Park next season as
Wimbledon are relegated rather than Bradford. Are we off to Ipswich or Bolton as well?
Hard to say yet. It finishes 2-2.
15/5 The club announce that 31 out of the 32 Harry
Potts Longside executive boxes have been sold for next season, with the 32nd expected to
be finalised shortly. This will generate £320,000 for the club. The club say that, if
there is sufficient demand for more boxes, they will think about developing the space in
the Jimmy McIlroy Beehole Stand, where there is room for a further 20. Meanwhile, season
ticket sales stand at 9,525 and rising. It's now thought unlikely that a ban of away fans
in next season's derby matches will be enforced, with tickets likely to be sold for both
away ends.
16/5 Mitchell Thomas says he wants to play on as
long as possible, pointing out that he only missed two games all season. He also hopes
Wright will stay with him. Mark Williams, a defender who we were linked with last year, is
again rumoured to be a possible signing. Watford signed him from Chesterfield last summer,
but have now made him available.
17/5 We're making our first ever trip to 'The
Reebok Stadium' next season as Bolton go out of the play-offs to Ipswich in extra time.
Meanwhile, in the division we left behind, Gillingham and Wigan will compete for the
honour of joining us, after putting out Stoke and Millwall. Wigan get just over 10,000 in
their ground for the biggest game in their history, with a few thousand of these from
Millwall. Burnley confirm they're in talks over next season's shirt sponsorship with
current sponsors P3 and other companies. Andrew Watson says, "We could do a deal
tomorrow but we are trying to push to get the best deal for the club." Although P3
are keen to retain their sponsorship, the club are believed to be holding out for more to
reflect our rise in status. It's rumoured that Time Computers were in the frame, but they
have now sponsored fellow Nationwide League Division One club Blackburn instead.
18/5 And it's St Andrew's next season for the first
time in years as Barnsley's aggregate victory is confirmed. On the far fetched rumour
front, how about Jason Roberts from Bristol Rovers? Probably not! An unnamed player each
from Manu and a Su'lan' are also suggested.
19/5 The retained list, due to be announced today,
is delayed, apparently to allow official letters to go out to those concerned. Ian Cox
might be asked to play for Trinidad and Tobago next season. He had promised not to play
last season, but Trinidad and Tobago will have World Cup qualification games in July,
August and September, against Canada, Honduras and Mexico, after beating Haiti in a
qualifier. The Trinidad and Tobago Football Federation confirm they will be speaking to
Burnley about his availability. Burnley FC will be compelled to release him for
competitive games, if selected. If he does play, he will become Burnley's first serving
international since Billy Hamilton in 1984.
20/5 Two more rumours to add to the pile: Lee
Briscoe, a leftback from Sheffield Wednesday and Steve Robinson, midfielder, of
Bournemouth. Hmm, we'll see.
21/5 Mark Robertson comes on as a late sub for
Wollongong as they beat Perth Glory 1-0 at home in the first leg of the
far-too-complicated-to-explain Australian end of season play-offs.
22/5 The retained list holds few surprises, with
Tom Cowan being the only player with first team experience to be released. Reserve player
Eamonn Kelly also leaves. Branch, Cook, Jepson, Kevan, Mawson, Robertson, Thomas and, yes,
Ian Wright have all been offered new contracts. Ternent confirms he'll be talking with
Wright, but makes the point that what he'll be able to do to recruit and retain players
will depend on his budget, which has yet to be set. We are once again supposed to be
poised to sign Nicky Daws from Bury. Gillingham have made two offers and agreed terms, but
Daws is felt to want to stay in the north. £250,000 could be the price. The summer's
final first team friendly is confirmed, with a less than enticing trip to Spotland fixed
for Friday 4th August to play Rochdale.
23/5 Mitchell Thomas is said to be weighing up his
future at Burnley after being offered a one year contract. He's thought to be
disappointed, having hoped for a two year deal. Ian Wright is said to be unable to make
his mind up about whether to carry on or pack it in. Apparently when he's in London he
decides to retire and when he's in Burnley he decides to continue. Ex-Claret Steve
Thompson is released by promoted Rotherham. Former useless Burnley manager John Benson
says he will step down as Wigan manager at the end of the season come what may, possibly
to be retained as 'General Manager'. Meanwhile, in the we-don't-believe-a-word-of-it
category, Gordon Durie (Rangers), Alex Rae (Su'lan') and Matt Murphy (Oxford) are linked.
24/5 The club announce than an EGM will be held on
Wednesday 21 June at Turf Moor to change the articles of the company so that we can begin
selling financial products. The executive boxes are now completely sold out. We won't be
signing Steve Robinson, as Preston sign him for £375,000.
25/5 Mitchell Thomas signs his one year contract,
as do Cook, Jepson and Mawson. Branch is said to be close to agreeing. Gerry Harrison
won't be offered a contract, although Ternent says he might invite him back at pre-season
if he doesn't get another club. Kilby says money is available for team strengthening.
Ternent's budget is yet to be cleared by the board, but once it is, Kilby comments,
"It's up to Stan to get on within the budget he's got. I trust his judgement
implicitly." It's rumoured that the club are to offer Glen Little a three year
extension to his contract, which has a year left to run, and they are reasonably confident
he will sign. Bradford seem to be the most persistently rumoured bidder if he is to leave,
with a possible part exchange for Lee Sharpe suggested, but both clubs say they've heard
nothing. Crystal Palace have also been mentioned, but it’s hard to see where
they’d get the money from. Our favourite rumour of the summer so far is David Ginola!
26/5 Ian Cox says he'd love to play in World Cup
qualifiers but he'll have to discuss it with Ternent and clear it with the club. Ternent
says he doesn't want to stop anyone playing internationally, but he has to put the club
first and there will need to be "a bit of give and take." The Peter Ndlovu
rumour is warmed back up and re-served. Meanwhile, fun and games in the 'Soccer Masters'
tournament, where Ted McMinn, playing for Derby, comes on as sub, concedes a penalty, is
booked, complains to the referee and is booked again and sent off within a minute… by
referee Kevin Lynch!
27/5 Graham Branch signs his new contract. A quite
simply appalling piece of attempted self-justification by the utterly discredited figure
of John Bond somehow finds its way onto the once hallowed pages of the Guardian. In it,
Bond, to be 'let go' by Wigan at the end of the season, laments another period of
impending unemployment and whines that there doesn't seem to be a place for people like
him in the game anymore. Quite right, John, there isn't much of a market for crap managers
with a track record of failure these days. Wollongong Wolves lose away at Perth Glory in
the second leg of the play offs in front of several members of the West Australian
Clarets… but Mark Robertson misses the game with a groin injury.
28/5 So we're off to Gillingham again. They beat
Wigan in the play-off final that we spent most of the season hoping we'd get to. Wigan
sold 8,500 tickets!
29/5 Sadly, Ipswich go up, so it's Barnsley next
year, as the final place in Division One is confirmed. The fixtures will come out on June
22nd.
30/5 Mark Robertson says he wants to talk with
Ternent about where he figures in his plans before signing a new contract. It isn't a
question of money, but whether he will be with a chance of first team games. 16 year old
Lancaster City striker Craig Bamber comes to the club on trial. The club wins Second
Division Programme of the Year from the Commercial and Marketing Managers Association.
31/5 Little is offered the three year extension.
Ternent says, "He's not for sale, as simple as that. I don't want to lose anyone from
the squad. I want to build on it." Cooke, also with a year left on his contract, has
been asked to think about what he wants.
