The Longside Reference

Name : Graham Alexander 

D.O.B. : 10/10/1971

Previous Clubs :Scunthorpe, Luton, Preston North End

Position: Full Back  / Midfielder

Fee: £100,000 rising to £200,000 

Signed by Steve Cotterill

Burnley Debut:

Last game for Burnley: Cardiff City May 2011

International Stats: Scottish International 

It would be fair to say that when Steve Cotterill signed Graham Alexander from bitter local rivals PNE, it caused quite a stir. A player who had regularly been in the team of the season, and a stalwart with 8 1/2 years service under his belt, it was seen as something of a coup. This despite the fact that more astute observers felt his best days were behind him, having seen him terribly exposed against Steve Jones in the Burnley v PNE fixture the previous season.

Initially utilised to cover in central midfield, injury to Michael Duff ensured a regular slot at right back for most of the season. Whilst he was part of what was clearly Steve Cotterill's worst defence in his time at the club and even though he was, on occasion, exposed against pace; Alexander showed on numerous occasions why he was so highly regarded at PNE.

Graham scored the first leg goal against Reading from the penalty spot with the Clarets winning 1-0. and after a 2-0 win away from home, Burnley were to face Sheffield United at Wembley, a game which saw Burnley win and gain Promotion to the premiership for the fist time ever.

Alexander started each and everyone of the 61 competitive games that season scoring ten league goals.

The Premiership was a walk in the park for old timer Alexander with the veteran scoring on seven occasions (6 from the spot), and another in the FA Cup, he made 33 league appearances in the Premier as the oldest outfield player.

Coyle left in January, and with Brian Laws installed as Clarets manager, Graham was offered a coaching role alongside Laws and his back room staff.

July 2010 saw Graham handed the captains armband, after former captain Steven Caldwell was released, a fully deserved honour.

Graham became only the second outfield player in football league history to play 1000 first team games, when he took to the field against Swansea City on 16th April 2011. The game won 2-1 by Burnley, was almost 3-1 when a last minute free kick taken by Grezza hit the underside of the bar and came out, it would have been a fitting finalie to Graham's 1000th game.

At the start of the 2011/12 campaign Graham was released by mutual consent, so he could persue his career on the pitch. He was snapped up by former club Preston North End.

***as of July 2010*** 

For full career stats see Soccerbase.com