The Longside Reference

Burnley start life in the Third Division for the first time in there 98 year history, with Brian Miller who starts his first full season in charge.

Miller who had inherited an old squad, set out to instill new blood and with Steve Taylor arriving from Mansfield Town, David Holt came in from Oldham, Tommy Cassidy from Newcastle United, Ian Wood also from Oldham, with Eric Potts coming in from local rivals Preston.

Those who left Turf Moor would include the "Ginger Pele" Billy Ingham after 12 seasons at Burnley, Peter Robinson who moved to Holland and Sparta Rotterdam.11 other Players were given free transfers at the end of 1979-80  including Brian Hall Malcolm Smith and Marshall Burke.

The season promised so much Burnley stagnated in the top ten from the end of September onwards, giving new manager Miller a serious challenge to escape the third division at the first attempt, But it wasn't to be. Burnley finished 8th on 52 points(at 2pnts a win).

But a record would be set th 21 clean sheets Burnley kept Stevenson in goal for 20 of those games and understudy Billy O'Rourke standing in for the other.

New signing Steve Taylor would be Burnley's top League scorer notching 16 goals With Big Billy Hamilton scoring 9 himself with Derek Scott helping himself to 9 league goals too. Captain Dobbo who would be linked with the player managers job at Bury would also help himself to 7 goals.

It would also see Brian Miller turn to the youth teams, giving Trevor Steven his Debut against Huddersfield, Micky Phelan debuted this year too, coming on as sub against Chesterfield at saltergate and continued to be used till the end of the campaign.Andy Wharton who's "BFC" tattooed knuckles also made his debut coming in at lefty back in place of David Holt and at right Back covering for another youngster Brian Laws.