Burnley Memorabilia And Programmes

Saturday 26th December 1959

Manchester United v Burnley

Goalscorers: Robson, Lawson

Att: 62,673

Teams

Manchester United: Gaskell, Foulkes, Carolan, Goodwin, Cope, Brennan, Dawson, Quixall, Viollet, Charlton, Scanlon.

Burnley: Blacklaw, Angus, Elder, Seith, Miller, Adamson, Connelly, Lawson, Pointer, Robson, Pilkington

Referee            Mr.L.I.Tirebuck (Halifax)
Linesmen           Mr.G.Ramage and Mr.D.L.Lovelady

 This years Christmas Fayre was at Old Trafford, with Burnley facing a Red Devils side only 4 points behind in the League. Under normal circumstances this fixture would guarantee a footballing feast, but unfortunately due to heavy recent rain the Old Trafford pitch had become a quagmire, which became a mudbath as the game progressed.

Inevitably due to the ball stopping dead in the mud, many mistakes were made, and these in turn led to much petty fouling.United started the game the stronger with both Charlton and Quixall using the conditions to their advantage, but Burnley were up to the task in hand with the half backs showing their mettle, with in particular Miller seeming to be enjoying the difficult conditions.

It was the Clarets who struck first, when Robson netted from close range. Burnley continued to pile on the pressure and before too long Lawson had scored to put the Clarets 2-0 up.

Half time came and Burnley went in for their welcome hot tea with the score at 2-0.From the start of the second half, United seemed to be rejuvenated and it was they who were now on the ascendancy, they were showing the most composure on the ball and surely it wouldn't be too long before they would pull a goal back.

Sure enough the prophecy came true when Quixall scored from a close range shot. This goal was enough to spur United even more as they went in search of an equaliser, but the Clarets managed to hold on to their 2-1 lead, which on reflection over the 90 minutes play, they just about deserved to go back to Turf Moor as the winning team.

Father Christmas had been kind to us as we went home clutching our present of 2 points.

Programme Review

Both teams as per programme apart from Charlton in for Pearson and Lawson in for White.

The United programme was a 12 page affair costing 4d.Matt Busby in his column didn't really have much to say other than welcoming his Burnley opponents with some kind words relating to our reputation for fine football.