Let’s rewind time again. Back past the Millennium scare mongering, evading ‘New Lads’, Britpop and Sonic the Hedgehog, glancing only, in our fast retreat, at ‘Reservoir Dogs’, the Balkan and Gulf wars and Gazza’s tears, slowing up as ‘Madchester’ comes into view and finally halting at uncool Preston. The sounds emerging in fuzzy confusion are ‘I Should Be So Lucky’, ‘Theme From S’Express’ and ‘Heart’. The faded headlines pick out ‘Hannibal’ Botham, a Tory Poll Tax revolt and Zola Budd’s ban. The grainy photographs feature a convicted ‘Ivan the Terrible’ and a blazing, bombed Iranian oil platform. It is April 19th 1988. Our precise stopping place is Deepdale on a balmy spring evening. Fulwood Park is in bud beneath a hazy, pastel sky and Fourth Division Burnley are about to contest a semi-final with Third Division North End. It may only be the Sherpa Van Trophy that is at stake here but this represents a massive, uplifting recovery for a club that almost died twelve months before. How better to celebrate this Lazarus-like revival than with a day out at Wembley, and in the Football League’s centenary year, too?
But the odds were against us. Preston were the better side in a tense, goal-less first leg at Turf Moor and they had been undefeated on their plastic surface since 12th December. Abrasive John McGrath was their manager. As a tough centre back he had thrived on the advice of his mentor, Joe Harvey, ‘I want to see how fast their centre forward can limp’, Joe had told him. George Oghani, our lithe, mobile striker, needed to take note.
Big scraps are big sellers. 15,680 fans had turned up for the first leg. Two thousand more made it for part two. Even a half hour before kick off, the caged Town End was heaving with raucous Clarets, clamouring for a morsel of restored glory and trading jibes with the mocking Nob Enders. The atmosphere was well stoked up before teams entered the fray.
Clinging shirts and skimpy shorts were the contemporary fashion but keeper Chris Pearce preferred tracksuit bottoms to shorts to counteract the risk of astro burns. On the mullet front, Preston’s Brian Mooney just about saw off the follicle challenge from team mate and current Claret Tony Ellis and our own Paul Comstive.
Preston made one change to their side. Jones replaced big Sam Allardyce in central defence. Brian Miller’s son, David, had played in midfield at Turf Moor but this time he slotted in at right back. He’d come closest to breaking the deadlock in the first leg only to be denied by ‘Whooshy’ Deakin’s goal line clearance. Warren Joyce took over Miller’s midfield role. Burnley were unchanged, with George Oghani partnered by Steve Taylor up front.
Preston started brightly, with Mooney testing Burnley’s defence immediately with his quick feet, pace and strength. Our left back, Shaun McGrory, was about to have a very difficult evening. Chris Pearce didn’t help our nerves, either, when, after only five minutes, he fumbled a free kick right in front of the horrified Burnley fans. However, he made amends by grabbing the resulting high corner. Two minutes later, George Oghani released midfielder Paul Comstive, but with the ball running fast across the artificial surface, Paul failed to control the pass and the opportunity evaporated. Back came Preston and the now alert Pearce had to save well from Mooney after another forceful run.
At this stage Burnley’s defenders were guilty of conceding possession too easily. The limping Gardner at right back was the worst offender. It seemed strange that Brian Miller didn’t substitute him. However, the ‘other’ Steve Davis (an absolute steal at £15,000 from Crewe) was rock-like at centre half and Deakin gave him rugged assistance, but with Farrell, Britton and Hoskin frequently brushed aside in midfield, a lot was being asked of Comstive. He was forced to be both creator and bouncer, with a definite emphasis on the latter. So up front George and Steve Taylor had little to work upon other than high, hopeless punts. George did his best, though, constantly harrying Jones, Wrightson and Atkins on the ground and in the air.
With Mooney marauding menacingly, Preston were well on top and in the 19th minute another of the Irishman’s promptings resulted in an opening for Tony Ellis. Thankfully, Ellis volleyed just over. Thirteen minutes later, Ellis turned provider. Following a slick exchange with Gary Swann, the Preston left back was put through on goal. Pearce spotted the danger quickly and raced off his line. Unfortunately, Chris sustained a thigh injury as a result of his brave block. It was to prevent him from taking subsequent goal kicks. But adversity quickly turned into advantage. The resulting clearance found Britton, who threw aside his previous anonymity and curled a splendid pass around Jones to release George in the unguarded inside left channel. George made no mistake, cracking a rasping left foot drive past Brown and into the far corner.
Against the run of play, we were ahead. ‘Que sera sera, whatever will be will be, we’re going to Wem-ber-lee, que sera sera!’ It was probably sung more with fervour than conviction but given recent abject failure, was that surprising?
Incensed by the injustice, Preston poured forward. In the 40th minute, Pearce was again smart in denying Ellis and, though Swann netted four minutes later, after Ellis had sold the Burnley defence a dummy, the goal was ruled out for off side. So halftime was reached with Burnley ahead. A combination of spoiling tactics, obstinate defending and brilliant goalkeeping, added to one moment of sublime opportunism, had given us an unexpected advantage.
The second half started just like the first. Mooney dispossessed McGrory and flashed a low centre across the box. Fortunately, neither Ellis nor Brazil could quite convert the chance. Then Davis’ last ditch interception thwarted Mooney just as he was about to shoot. Moments later, Preston were awarded a free kick on the edge of the box, but Atkins squandered the chance by chipping straight at Pearce. Comstive briefly lifted the siege when he put Steve Taylor in behind the Preston defence. However, Taylor, now shorn of his former pace, was forced to settle for an inconsequential corner. The action returned quickly to the other end and with Pearce fumbling a cross, Mooney had the goal at his mercy. Luckily for Pearce and Burnley, Mooney shot over. Again, Pearce was quick to atone for his mistake, this time by pushing Mooney’s next powerful drive away for a corner. However, for all their pressure, Preston might have been punished further. In the 55th minute Comstive had the opportunity to seal the game. Having capitalised on some sloppy defending by Joyce and Wrightson, he advanced into the box but drove the ball across Brown and just wide of the right hand post. The Burnley faithful held their heads in their hands.
Stung by Burnley’s temerity, Preston proceeded to force two quick corners, both of which were repelled. Mooney was continuing to roast McGrory at will and in the 62nd minute, his neat exchange with Miller opened up the right flank for the him to fire across the face of goal but once again fractionally in front of Ellis and Brazil. Ellis had been getting little change out of Davis who was playing out of his skin, while Brazil was struggling to dominate Deakin. Nevertheless, with Preston camped around Burnley’s box, it was inevitable that the odd opportunity should come their way. One of these came in the 64th minute. Ellis managed to squeeze a ball between Davis and Deakin, putting his strike partner through on the left of goal, but like Comstive, Brazil dragged his shot wide of the far post.
Burnley’s reprieve lasted just one more minute. Atkins flicked on Wrightson’s long, lofted free kick allowing Brazil to sneak behind Davis and Deakin and tuck away a simple finish. The Nob Enders were merciless, vociferously parodying the BFC songs and mocking our Wembley aspirations. The Clarets were not to be subdued, though. Just because the team was under the cosh they refused to be cowed and came back in strong voice. On the pitch a more cautious approach was adopted. George Oghani was drawn back to help our embattled defenders, leaving Taylor alone up front.
Now Preston were switching play from flank to flank with Ronnie Hildersley doing to Gardner what Mooney was doing to McGrory. This public humiliation was proving too much for our beleaguered left back, and in the 70th minute McGrory was booked for illegally redressing his unequal contest with Mooney. The problem wasn’t just with our full backs, though. We were being overrun in midfield too, so, with 15 minutes remaining, manager Brian Miller replaced the ineffectual Andy Farrell with Phil Malley. He had few options. By this time Burnley attacks were becoming as rare as ospreys. Nevertheless, Oghani’s 84th minute flick on almost put Taylor clear, but keeper Brown was a shade too quick. However, Preston ended the second half much as they begun it. In the 88th minute Brazil was given far too much time and space to turn and shoot at goal. His shot whistled past the right hand post. And then right at the death, Davis’ muscular block stopped Hildersley in his tracks. So, it was to be extra time.
Brian Miller strode onto the pitch, formed his players into a circle and started issuing individual instructions in a highly animated manner. This seemed so unlike the ultra cool character of ‘Orient day’. Not that his energetic exhortations appeared to have much impact. Several of the players were looking away or seemed otherwise distracted whilst Brian was throwing his arms around in some sort of tactical frenzy. In all honesty, the team looked done in. Surely, this had to be Preston’s game.
Much to our surprise, the game turned in the second minute of extra time. Up until that point, David Miller had managed to tuck tiny Ashley Hoskin inside his pocket. Our diminutive winger had hardly a kick. However, in the 92nd minute he did earn us a free kick on the left edge of the Preston box. Deakin pumped the ball high towards the far post. Under pressure from Davis, Brown palmed the ball away towards the right touchline. Malley seized upon the loose ball and made for the by-line before crossing low into the crowded penalty area. First Davis and then Oghani flicked his cross on, momentarily wrong footing the Preston defenders and leaving Hoskin with just enough space to get in a right foot shot from six yards. Ashley’s first effort was charged down. Fortunately, the ball rebounded to him allowing him to hammer the ball high into the net with his left foot. This all happened right in front of the Burnley fans. They went beserk leaping and clawing at the cage with animal joy. With jabbing gestures of defiance and vindication they taunted the silenced Nob Enders, challenging them to deny the Clarets’ Wembley dream. ‘And now you got to believe us and now you got to believe us….’
Of course, Preston were far from finished. Mooney almost provided an immediate riposte, having left two Burnley defenders for dead. Once again, Ellis was within a whisker of converting the winger’s sharp low cross. Despite his thigh injury, Pearce proceeded to pull off a succession of brilliant saves denying Mooney, Ellis (twice) and Atkins during the next ten minutes. Nevertheless, Preston could not turn their supremacy into goals and finally Burnley killed off the game. With two minutes remaining McGrory had the chance to put his problems behind him. With fatigue and desperation causing gaps to open up, he slipped a ball to the unmarked Comstive in the inside left channel. Our main playmaker spotted George Oghani, who had broken free from his minder. Suddenly George and Paul found themselves two on one with Atkins. George seemed certain to score but unselfishly passed to Comstive for a simple tap in. For a moment, it looked as if the goal would be ruled out for offside, but Atkins had deflected George’s pass into Paul’s path. The goal stood and Burnley were indeed going to Wembley.
The ecstatic fans mobbed their players. George was adorned with a Burnley scarf. Despite having little to work with, he had run tirelessly in Burnley’s cause. What’s more he had played a crucial part in all three goals. He was our lead scorer, too, with seventeen goals thus far that season. Not bad for a free transfer, eh? He did as much as anyone to turn around our flagging fortunes. Of course, everyone had worked their socks off on that glorious night. Despite being outplayed for long periods, the team had refused to wilt. It was a stubborn, dogged, heart-warming display. Burnley were back with pride!
Fourteen years later, I caught up with George. He’s now an Independent Financial Adviser, specialising in mortgages and investments. His family home is still in Carlisle, where he completed his League career in 1994, but his office is in Manchester. We had a telephone conversation while he was on his way home. Although now 41 years old, he still plays Sunday morning football. I was pleased to hear that. It proves he has an undiminished appetite for the game, whatever the level.
I wondered whether he might have felt ambivalent about his Burnley days. Not a bit of it. He spoke with unreserved warmth about the club and its supporters. He said that the Wembley final was definitely the highlight. He told me, "When I came out of the tunnel to face that huge crowd (over 81,000), I felt so proud I thought my heart would pump out of my chest." He recognised that Wolves were the stronger side ("Bull and Mutch were such good strikers and their defenders were good as well") but that made no difference to his enjoyment. "We were definitely second best but we gave them a good fight especially in the second half when Leighton James came on. He was a quality player and made quite a difference. I should have scored in the second half, so should have Paul (Comstive), but it wasn’t to be."
I asked what prompted him to sign for Burnley. He said, "because they were a big club," despite what had happened to them the season before! "I knew they were on the way up. Well, they couldn’t have been as bad again." George told me that he had a very high regard for Brian Miller, too. "Brian knew a player. He was a good judge. He made some really good signings that season – Paul Comstive, Steve Davis, Andy Farrell. But he probably wasn’t given enough resources to have put together a promotion-winning side. David Reeves would have made a big difference if we’d managed to sign him permanently but I think Sheffield Wednesday wanted to hang onto him. I rate David Reeves. I played with him at Carlisle as well. He’s the only member of that team that I still see occasionally." Moving back to Brian, George said, "You knew where you were with Brian. He would wear his heart on his sleeve. If he wasn’t happy he’d let you know it whereas Frank (Casper) tended to be more introverted." I asked George whether he had seen the shameful Channel Four documentary, ‘Claret Blues’. He hadn’t. Obviously, our memories of Frank differed, or perhaps George was being discreet.
Although the Preston goal was more crucial, George reckoned that his goal against First Division Norwich in the League Cup was his best while playing for Burnley. George thought that this game proved that Burnley were on the up again. Moving onto the 1988/89 side, George spoke well of Brendan O’Connell. "I know the fans got onto him after a while but there was no criticism of him in the dressing room. I can assure you of that. He did a really important job for the team. The fans might not have seen that but we did." I asked whether fans' criticisms ever got on top of him. He didn’t answer directly saying, "I think the fans have a right to express their views. They pay their money." As for the Burnley crowd, he thought they were ‘brilliant’. "Like Bolton where there is a similar proud tradition, the Burnley fans appreciate their football." George said he’d love to see us in he Premiership.
Much as it might stick in the craw, George is a Man U fan. But since he comes from Manchester, I suppose that can be tolerated, just. However, he is experiencing difficulty in converting his six-year-old son to the cause. George told me that his son had a craving for a Michael Owen shirt. Clearly, the Jesuit dictum doesn’t always work in football matters.
Anyway, it was good to catch up with George. He is a thoroughly nice bloke who served our club well during a period of intense rehabilitation. Thank you George for your efforts. It is good to know you still think fondly of Burnley.
