Nik out on loan; matchday magazine offends many
Au revoir, Lennie
Our new signing celebrates with a goal!
League Cup draw tomorrow; new date set for Ipswich game
The goals flow, but will the cash?
Marlon returns!
Ipswich game postponed, surprise surprise
Derby fixture not moving!
More fixture uncertainty
Click here for September 2002 comment entries.
29 September - stand up if you've got a big mouth
On arriving at the Turf yesterday, we were all surprised to hear that Nik Michopoulos has gone off to Crystal Palace on a month's loan. Presumably, this indicates several things. Firstly, money must be very tight. Secondly, we must be set to sign up Marlon for at least another month. However, it also means that should Marlon have to go off during a match, we will have no substitute keeper on the bench. As far as we know, our stand-in keeper is Gordon "Stretch" Armstrong, but he's been injured and wasn't one of yesterday's subs. Anyway, we'd like to wish Nik all the best at Palace, and hope to welcome him back to the Turf soon.
The second thing to surprise us yesterday was Tony Livesey's "article" in the matchday programme. On reflection, perhaps it wasn't too surprising. Poorly written and ungrammatical as usual, the article sought to heap scorn on those Burnley supporters who applauded Andy Cooke on his recent return to the Turf with Stoke City. According to Livesey, fans who applaud ex-players should either join the trainspotters (sic) at the players' entrance, and get the ex-player to sign their underpants, or "sit in the away end and support them alongside the other fans who want Burnley to concede".
The article also described Cookey as "a journeyman", and stated that "He created a handful of Payton's goals but the Padiham predator doesn't need help from the likes of Cooke to regularly find the net".
A prime example of faulty logic (you applaud an ex-player, therefore you want Burnley to lose) coupled with a sheer lack of appreciation for Cookey's contribution to the Burnley cause (not least those two goals against Plymouth at the end of the 1997-1998 season). And to complete the package, presented in a manner which seeks to insult a large number of Burnley supporters.
Livesey states that "some people on the Longside wouldn't beat Benny from Crossroads at chess", and opines that he can't remember when he has ever been as embarrassed before during (sic) a match at Turf Moor. I think those two remarks tell us all we need to know about a) Mr Livesey's own level of intelligence and b) how many Burnley matches he's actually watched (or can remember watching). In the same programme, an article by Alastair Campbell voiced some doubts about the applause from Burnley fans as Cookey was substitued. However, Campbell presented his opinions in a well-written and reasoned manner.
I cannot for the life of me understand why the Club continues to feature Livesey's ramblings. His contributions add nothing to the matchday experience, except possibly to give the away fans a laugh at Burnley's expense.
Away from Burnley (literally!), we'd like to offer our congratulations to Papa, who is in the Greece under 21 squad for their next two games. He'll miss the Walsall home game - disappointing from Burnley's point of view, though the timing could have been worse.
And finally (for anyone who didn't catch the Mascot Grand National yesterday), unfortunately our Bees weren't placed. Bumble was one of the first ten contestants home, though!
27 September - not much to report this week
Our main source of information, the Club site, has been quiet this week due to behind-the-scenes maintenance. This has impacted a number of sites run by FLPTV Ltd (fit your own words to the acronym!). So, only a couple of snippets to report. One quite amusing, the other definitely not.
We were somewhat disappointed that the Club has not renewed Lennie Johnrose's contract. You will recall that he returned on a month's deal, and was hoping to get another month with us at least. But for whatever reasons - money, midfielders returning to fitness - it hasn't happened. For the second time, we would like to wish Lennie all the best as he leaves Turf Moor for pastures new. Perhaps au revoir, rather than goodbye?
On a lighter note, the Club's mascots (Bertie and Bumble, for anyone who doesn't already know!) will be competing on Sunday in the "Mascot Grand National". Yes, I know it's childish/nothing to do with football/very lowbrow "entertainment", but it makes me laugh. If you feel like a fit of the giggles, wander over to the event's website. Particularly recommended are the video clips - you can see Bumble in last year's race! Rumours that the London Clarets will be staging a similar event are (thankfully) unfounded. Some of us look weird enough anyway, without putting on any funny costumes! (Don't even mention padded outfits...)
16 September - welcome to the London Clarets, Arthur!
We didn't think it was right that our Player of the Season didn't have a sponsor, so we stepped into the breach - and are proud to sponsor King Arthur for the 2002-2003 season. (We're pleased to see that our sponsorship has already had a positive effect!) From now on, M. Gnohere will be known as "The London Clarets' King Arthur" (as in "Stan Ternent's Burnley").
13 September - another chance to mention the Derby game!
A few bits and pieces to update you on today. Firstly, a reminder that the draw for the second round of the League Cup will be made tomorrow (14th September). It will take place at 2.30 pm, and will apparently be live on Sky's "Soccer Saturday" programme (not that we ever see that, as we're always trekking round the country on Saturday mornings!). Burnley are seeded this time around following last season's League placing of seventh. Therefore we cannot be drawn against a "big" team (the definition of which seems to be "any seeded team apart from Burnley"). Looking at the possible fixtures, Rushden & Diamonds away is certainly appealing (chance for revenge plus a tick) - but knowing our luck we'll probably end up hosting some potential banana skin or other. As Becko said in his report after Tuesday's game against Blackpool: this season, a good Cup run is imperative.
Back in the League, the Ipswich game has now been rescheduled for Tuesday October 22nd. Unless of course it's moved again due to Ipswich's participation in the UEFA Cup/League Cup/Coffee Cup/whatever else takes their fancy!
And talking of fixture changes...not to alarm you unnecessarily, but we've heard rumours about another possible fixture change. Our home game against Walsall, scheduled for 3.00 pm on Saturday 12th October, sort of clashes with England's European Championship Qualifier away to Slovakia. We say "sort of", since the international match doesn't kick off until 8.30 pm. So we don't anticipate the game being moved, but forewarned is forearmed, as they say (whatever that means). Should we hear anything concrete, one way or the other, we will of course let you know.
Saving the best for last, we'd like to congratulate Marlon and Robbie on their inclusion in the Nationwide Division One "Team of the Week". This follows their fine performances against Derby.
11 September - getting it right on the pitch (but what's happening off it?)
Just a quick apology for the lack of updates since the weekend. The Web Czarina has been indisposed, and instead of surfing gaily round the web has been treading the well-worn path between bed and bathroom! Anyway...the first task on getting back to the keyboard must be to congratulate West (13) and Papadopoulos (63, 75) on breaking their first-team goalscoring ducks in our 3-0 win over Blackpool at the Turf last night. It's great that we're in the hat for the second round of the League Cup, and even better that we've now won two in two. Let's hope for three in three after Stoke at home on Saturday. The only downside after last night's game seems to be that Weller has picked up a groin strain, which may see him miss Saturday's match.
Away from the pitch, rumours persist about the Club's financial situation. First we heard that Stan was about to resign (after having been asked to take a pay cut, apparently), and now we hear that the Club "will run out of money in three weeks". The source of the rumours? The Mail on Sunday/Daily Mail newspapers. The Club has apparently denied any truth in either rumour (and it's hard to take seriously any publication that employs Jeff Powell), but it is nevertheless worrying that these rumours keep cropping up. Whilst we doubt that the situation is as bad as the Mail would have us believe, we believe that we should be concerned (not only about the financial situation, but also about the negative publicity our Club is getting). What do you think? Email us and have your say.
5 September - Marlon back for a month
The Club announced today that Marlon Beresford has returned to the Turf on a one-month contract. He goes straight into the squad for the Derby game - and who would bet against him starting the match? Marlon has always maintained that he didn't want to leave us after his successful pre-season, and it's great that he's coming back. Let's hope it's ultimately for longer than a month. The news is sure to give everyone (except NTG, possibly) a lift ahead of Saturday...and goodness knows, we all need cheering up!
4 September - we won't be visiting Ipswich just yet
Both Ipswich and Burnley announced today that the match at Portman Road, scheduled for the 24th, has (as we predicted) been postponed. As yet, no new date has been agreed - we'll let you know as soon as we hear. Unfortunately, the postponement means that several of our members will now miss the Ipswich Beer Festival...shame!
2 September - Derby game goes ahead as originally scheduled
This morning, Derby County announced on their official website that Saturday's match against Burnley will go ahead as planned, i.e. kicking off at 3pm. This is something of a minor miracle, since almost everyone we spoke to seemed to be assuming that the fixture would be moved.
No luck so far with confirming the Ipswich away fixture, though. On calling Ipswich's ticket office today I spoke to a woman whose pleasant telephone manner was only matched by her total and utter lack of knowledge about the football club she works for. Worryingly, I seemed to know much more about Town's fixtures than she did. After I'd (slowly and carefully) explained the situation with Ipswich's potential fixture pile-up, she advised me to call Burnley, as "if they're going to move the game they'll know before we do". I had one more attempt at explaining, and then gave up. The next time anyone feels like complaining about Burnley's ticket office, may I suggest a quick call to the Ipswich "information line" to put things in perspective. Anyway, we'll continue to monitor the situation, and will update you as soon as we hear anything.
1 September - what's happening with the Derby and Ipswich games?
There is still some uncertainty over next Saturday's away game with Derby. The fixture could be rescheduled if Derby have three players on international duty, and this is not confirmed at the moment. Poom and Kinkladze at least are definitely in their countries' squads, but there may be more call-ups to come. Even if Derby don't end up with three players on international duty, the game may still be rescheduled to avoid a clash with the England match. We're in touch with Derby FC and will update you as soon as we get confirmation one way or the other. Oh - and talking about international call-ups, congratulations to Taylor and Papadopoulos, who have once again been selected for the Welsh (senior) and Greek (U21) squads respectively.
Also in doubt is our away game with Ipswich, scheduled for the evening of Tuesday 24th September. This match could be postponed due to Town's participation in the UEFA Cup, which in turn may mean that their Worthington Cup second round game is moved back - to the same week as our game with them. Ipswich's official website has no update on this, but as with Derby, we will update you as soon as we get confirmation of the situation.
September 2002 comment entries
A game I hoped I'd never see
Firmo's view: Keep your stupid ideas to yourself
Let's have the facts
Can you hear the Millwall sing?
Claret on the Rocks
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