Burnley start the 2008/09 Campaign six players light, James O’Connor signed for Sheffield Wed after refusing a new contract, Jon Harley who eventually went down south to Watford, again after turning down a new deal, David Unsworth also turned down a coaching based contract, and Andy Cole who wanted first team football went to Nottingham Forest. John Spicer and Gareth O’Connor were also released, with Spicer going to Doncaster. with Gabor Kiraly looking to have an extended stay on the bench after Owen Coyle placed the Hungarian on the transfer list. The six players soon turned to seven on the way out of Turf Moor with the unsettled Kyle Lafferty moving for a fee approaching £4million, and moving north to his boyhood heroes Glasgow Rangers, Burnley had the funds to rebuild. Two players were given full time contracts, Alex MacDonald and Adam Kay, they will join Jay Rodriguez who has been offered and accepted a 2-year extension. Owen Coyle who took over from former manager Steve Cotterill, starts his first full term in charge, with his trusted no2 Sandy Stewart who followed him down from Scotland, with first team coach Steve Davis very much a part of the new regime. With the money from the sale of Lafferty, and with the bank still holding the cash from the Wayne Thomas and Andy Gray sales from the previous season. Owen had the finances to make changes. Martin Paterson would be first through the door a £1million capture from relegated Scunthorpe, which will rise to £1.3 based on add on's, which will make Martin, Burnley's record transfer fee.
Kevin McDonald, a man mountain of a boy,19 year old Kevin who joined from Dundee, where he was touted as the best young player in Scotland, £500.000 secured his signature. While Owen was quick to snap up Christian Kalvenes a left back who was With the goalkeeping position a worry for all Clarets fans, it was great news to hear that a solution had been found, in the 6 foot 5 inch frame of Peru's No1 Diego Alonso Penny Valdez, with Kiraly transfer listed, and Jensen who is prone to the odd mistake, Diego who has been handed the No1 shirt and in pre season looks the part.
Impressed? well the best is yet to come, Chris Eagles (right) back from his exploits with Premiership Champions Manchester United, illuminated their tour of South Africa, scoring two goals in four games, Signed for Burnley in a reported 1.25 million pounds and Scored the winner on his debut against Inverness Caledonian Thistle Chris looked every inch of a 1 million pound footballer. To read about Burnleys Season, click on Dave's Diary, where established author Dave Thomas, puts his unique style to Burnleys Season http://www.thelongside.info/content/category/14/75/98/
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2008 - 2009 Championship, Promoted via Play-Offs
on his way back to his native Norway, Kalvenes was picked in Scottish premier divisions team of the year, and looks a fantastic buy.
