1966 and all that, England win the World Cup, Burnley finish 3rd in the first division, Irvine re-writes the Claret record books, Brian Miller hands over the captaincy to Alex Elder. Harry Potts calling, his programme notes on the opening league game of the season against Jimmy Robson's new club Blackpool, he writes " It is never easy to part with one who has been a grand servant as we have had to within the past few days, by the movement of Ray Pointer from Turf Moor to near neighbours, Bury. Ray had the decision in his own command when Bury made their approach and we wish him every happiness in his new football home. He is one of the most conscientitious and loyal players ever to wear the Burnley jersey, a credit to himself at club and International level." On the youth players, Potts makes this point, "During the Summer months we have perused our youth recruitment policy with zeal and look forward with high hopes to the first-class development of inside forward or wing half Tony Morrin, from Bury, Willie Brown, inside forward from Scotland;half-backs Stephen Done from Accrington, Keith Nodding from County Durham and English Schoolboy International Peter Jones from Ellesmere Port, all who have joined us as apprentice footballers"
Its where Burnley start, and even back when we where riding high in the top division, its the only way of competing, Potts, Adamson and further back Brown all knew this, out of the bunch above only Peter Jones and Willie Brown went onto make first team appearances two for Peter Jones and one for Willie Brown. Not all youth players make it! Burnley would finish 3rd this year with all but Angus (Amble), Elder(Glentoran), Harris(Worksop), Lochhead(Redfrew jr),Harry Thompson(Shotts) and Todd(Glentoran) all came through Burnleys youth/apprenticeship, no team could boast stats like this and still remain fighting for titles and cups! (This season is written in more detail in both Willie Irvine's book (top)and the Harry Potts book(bottom), both avalible from author Dave Thomas at beehivethomas@aol.com and his website dave@burnleyfcbooks.co.uk)
Bob Lord also hit the headlines this year, when he announced that the League Cup should be compulsory, this after Burnley were absent for four years. Burnley would enter Europe again next season, this time the Fairs Cup, for the third place finish in the League. The U21s went abroad to play in an international tournament at the end of the year this time going one better than the defeat in the final last season, by beating the mighty Barcelona in the final, this after taking the scalps of Inter Milan,Cologne and Fortuna Dusseldorf.
.
|
|||
|
|||
1965 - 1966
