How good was our 1991/92 team?

cricketfieldclarets · Post by **cricketfieldclarets** » Sun Mar 18, 2018 12:14 am

I always thought the team from that season was very very good. Especially as a kid and after the dross we saw before it.

Whenever I watch the vhs from that season too we look a decent standard even now. The stadium too was also far too good for that level.

I went to watch accy today. And for a side that sits top of the league I think we were better than them when we were at our worse.

I expected the standard to be much higher. Especially given that theyve beaten us in recent years and also with the amount of foreigners in the game, good quality talent falls down the levels.

Coleman has done a pheonomenal job there. But I cant help but think our team of 92 was very very good for that level.

I guess it shows with how we ended up at championship level 2 years later with much the same team.

gawthorpe_view · Post by **gawthorpe_view** » Sun Mar 18, 2018 6:09 am

That team were good to watch for sure, we had decent players and a good balance throughout the team.
Wingers, strikers and midfielders all had an eye for a goal and a desire to push forward.
The back five were steady, remarkable considering the number of goal keepers we used that season.
We also had a momentum and belief that grew throughout the season.

box_of_frogs · Post by **box_of_frogs** » Sun Mar 18, 2018 8:32 am

And don’t forget the singing! A steady “Jimmy Mullen’s Claret and Blue Army - clap, clap, clap, clap!”.

BroadIslandClaret · Post by **BroadIslandClaret** » Sun Mar 18, 2018 8:32 am

The `best` I have watched! The mid/late season acquisition of Robbie Painter was also a very shrewd bit of business. He added what was needed for the final push! A lovely player!

Claretforever · Post by **Claretforever** » Sun Mar 18, 2018 9:11 am

His goal after 15 second against Cardiff which lead to the Mexican Wave was a favourite.

BroadIslandClaret · Post by **BroadIslandClaret** » Sun Mar 18, 2018 9:18 am

Claretforever wrote:His goal after 15 second against Cardiff which lead to the Mexican Wave was a favourite.

I`m on the wall in the Cricket Field Stand - 15 secon...well 3 seconds of fame!

piston broke · Post by **piston broke** » Sun Mar 18, 2018 9:19 am

Very good at that level.
The amount of foreigners in the game is nullified by the size of squads at present.
Back then there were a lot of sides with shoestring budgets and very tiny squads, no reserve sides for example.

Lord Beamish · Post by **Lord Beamish** » Sun Mar 18, 2018 9:23 am

It was more than the sum of its parts. Direct, exciting, and swashbuckling football.

BroadIslandClaret · Post by **BroadIslandClaret** » Sun Mar 18, 2018 9:25 am

piston broke wrote:Very good at that level.
The amount of foreigners in the game is nullified by the size of squads at present.
Back then there were a lot of sides with shoestring budgets and very tiny squads, no reserve sides for example.

If you HAD to choose a starting 11 from that remarkable season, what would it be???????????? Southgate thinks he has a keeper conundrum (well, in his mind I`m sure he doesn`t). Pearce, Marriott, Walker, Williams or Kendall

?

Caernarfon_Claret · Post by **Caernarfon_Claret** » Sun Mar 18, 2018 9:28 am

The most away games I've ever been to that season.

Wrexham a stand out.

BroadIslandClaret · Post by **BroadIslandClaret** » Sun Mar 18, 2018 9:29 am

I`m going...

Marriott
Measham Davis Pender Jakub
Francis Deary Randall Painter
Conroy Eli

I`M SORRY Andy Farrell (one of my favourites but...)

Caernarfon_Claret · Post by **Caernarfon_Claret** » Sun Mar 18, 2018 9:32 am

Notts County and Luton Town relegated from First Division - have either been in Premier League?

BroadIslandClaret · Post by **BroadIslandClaret** » Sun Mar 18, 2018 9:32 am

Caernarfon_Claret wrote:The most away games I've ever been to that season.

Wrexham a stand out.

I missed one...Maidstone United

cricketfieldclarets · Post by **cricketfieldclarets** » Sun Mar 18, 2018 9:41 am

BroadIslandClaret wrote:If you HAD to choose a starting 11 from that remarkable season, what would it be???????????? Southgate thinks he has a keeper conundrum (well, in his mind I`m sure he doesn`t). Pearce, Marriott, Walker, Williams or Kendall ?

Marriott and Walker were head and shoulders above the rest. Pearce was great fun though.

claretandy · Post by **claretandy** » Sun Mar 18, 2018 9:43 am

BroadIslandClaret wrote:I`m going...

Marriott
Measham Davis Pender Jakub
Francis Deary Randall Painter
Conroy Eli

I`M SORRY Andy Farrell (one of my favourites but...)

Harper would have been on the left, Painter was a striker.

cricketfieldclarets · Post by **cricketfieldclarets** » Sun Mar 18, 2018 9:48 am

What a time to be alive. Might have to watch this again later.

Got to be grateful for the 80s because without them we would never have had 1991/92 and certainly wouldnt appreciate todays team as much as we do.

BroadIslandClaret · Post by **BroadIslandClaret** » Sun Mar 18, 2018 9:51 am

claretandy wrote:Harper would have been on the left, Painter was a striker.

Really? Brought in to replace the injured Eli? Not arguing against Harper (maligned at times as he was) at all. I always saw Painter as more of a winger. I could well be wrong! This team of mine though is time-travelling no so I demand flexibility from my players so my starting 11 stands

piston broke · Post by **piston broke** » Sun Mar 18, 2018 9:54 am

BroadIslandClaret wrote:I`m going...

Marriott
Measham Davis Pender Jakub
Francis Deary Randall Painter
Conroy Eli

I`M SORRY Andy Farrell (one of my favourites but...)

I'd only pick Walker over Marriott in that X1. Marriott was excellent for us but size was his problem.
Andy Farrell on the bench for his versatility.

BroadIslandClaret · Post by **BroadIslandClaret** » Sun Mar 18, 2018 9:56 am

piston broke wrote:I'd only pick Walker over Marriott in that X1. Marriott was excellent for us but size was his problem.
Andy Farrell on the bench for his versatility.

Walker did look magnificent but I`m not accepting your change

wilks_bfc · Post by **wilks_bfc** » Sun Mar 18, 2018 10:02 am

Marriott was a great keeper and spawned one of the best chants heard at Turf Moor

“Swing low
Sweet Marriott
Mullen keep him at Turf Moor”

(Young ears at the time and the years since May have effected recollection of exact words)

kaptin1 · Post by **kaptin1** » Sun Mar 18, 2018 10:18 am

I love Jimmy Mullen’s, Alan Partridge style jumper with “sports chevron” in the photo above. Bet those are a pair of “stay creased action slacks” too.

Caernarfon_Claret · Post by **Caernarfon_Claret** » Sun Mar 18, 2018 10:30 am

BroadIslandClaret wrote:I missed one...Maidstone United

I definitely missed Maidstone and York but most of the others are vague.

Have strong memories of
Wrexham
Carlisle
Walsall
Lincoln
Northampton
At least one in Yorkshire.
Hereford (?)

Dreadful memory.

Dark Cloud · Post by **Dark Cloud** » Sun Mar 18, 2018 10:34 am

It was a great team to watch and they were clearly very good TOGETHER. Steve Davis was obviously a miles better player than anyone else in the division. In fact what became increasingly apparent was how we as a team were simply so much better than anything else the 4th division had to offer that season, which makes it hard to assess how good we really were. Conroy, Francis and Eli were far too pacey for most defences and Steve Harper was the type of player who other sides at that level were never able to attract.

claretandy · Post by **claretandy** » Sun Mar 18, 2018 10:34 am

Hard to think that Harper was only 22 !

Milltown1882 · Post by **Milltown1882** » Sun Mar 18, 2018 10:35 am

Anyone know anywhere you can get a copy of the VHS converted to DVD? Born in 89 so most of my early years were spent watching that over and over again would be great to watch it again!

Dark Cloud · Post by **Dark Cloud** » Sun Mar 18, 2018 10:45 am

Walsall away is one that doesn't get mentioned as much as others, but it was brilliant. 2-0 down and time running out, then 2 goals to draw level right in front of the Burnley hoards. AND Lancashire with a chance to actually snatch the win right at the death which would have been even better!!

JimmyRobbo · Post by **JimmyRobbo** » Sun Mar 18, 2018 10:50 am

Milltown1882 wrote:Anyone know anywhere you can get a copy of the VHS converted to DVD? Born in 89 so most of my early years were spent watching that over and over again would be great to watch it again!

I thought it was on youtube....

(I think it still is).

mdd2 · Post by **mdd2** » Sun Mar 18, 2018 10:51 am

Caernarfon_Claret wrote:I definitely missed Maidstone and York but most of the others are vague.

Have strong memories of
Wrexham
Carlisle
Walsall
Lincoln
Northampton
At least one in Yorkshire.
Hereford (?)

Dreadful memory.

Halifax maybe, Hereford a tad south west of Yorkshire

Caernarfon_Claret · Post by **Caernarfon_Claret** » Sun Mar 18, 2018 10:53 am

mdd2 wrote:Halifax maybe, Hereford a tad south west of Yorkshire

Thank You

Tadcaster?

BroadIslandClaret · Post by **BroadIslandClaret** » Sun Mar 18, 2018 10:55 am

Caernarfon_Claret wrote:I definitely missed Maidstone and York but most of the others are vague.

Have strong memories of
Wrexham
Carlisle
Walsall
Lincoln
Northampton
At least one in Yorkshire.
Hereford (?)

Dreadful memory.

Northampton away summed up that team! I don`t think there was a Hereford. Possibly a Mansfield (who had the Indian sign over us for quite a few seasons). Barnet away a big memory for me 0-0!!!!

Milltown1882 · Post by **Milltown1882** » Sun Mar 18, 2018 11:02 am

JimmyRobbo wrote:I thought it was on youtube....

(I think it still is).

You just made my Sunday!

THEWELLERNUT70 · Post by **THEWELLERNUT70** » Sun Mar 18, 2018 11:02 am

Dark Cloud wrote:Walsall away is one that doesn't get mentioned as much as others, but it was brilliant. 2-0 down and time running out, then 2 goals to draw level right in front of the Burnley hoards. AND Lancashire with a chance to actually snatch the win right at the death which would have been even better!!

Methven (their centre half, and I think was a former Blackpool player, who appeared to have a hatred towards Burnley when ever he played against us) was subbed with around 10 minutes left with Walsall 2-0 up and decided to give it the big 'un at the travelling hoards, nearly causing a riot.

He who laughs last and all that......

bfc1984 · Post by **bfc1984** » Sun Mar 18, 2018 11:04 am

My fondest times watching burnley loved it!

BroadIslandClaret · Post by **BroadIslandClaret** » Sun Mar 18, 2018 11:05 am

claretandy wrote:Hard to think that Harper was only 22 !

Really? Geez! He wasn`t so popular until his wrist was constantly bandaged up.

THEWELLERNUT70 · Post by **THEWELLERNUT70** » Sun Mar 18, 2018 11:07 am

Milltown1882 wrote:Anyone know anywhere you can get a copy of the VHS converted to DVD? Born in 89 so most of my early years were spent watching that over and over again would be great to watch it again!

The VHS was redone and released as a DVD a couple of years back complete with bonus interviews with players from that team. Conroy was tracked down to Australia? where he now resides

THEWELLERNUT70 · Post by **THEWELLERNUT70** » Sun Mar 18, 2018 11:09 am

"The teenage rampage" Graham Lancashires hatrick at Wrexham was a highlight

JimmyRobbo · Post by **JimmyRobbo** » Sun Mar 18, 2018 11:10 am

Milltown1882 wrote:You just made my Sunday!

I hope I'm not about to destroy it. I can't find it at the moment....it was called "Burnley are Back!" Narrated by Clive Tyldsley. Produced by Granada TV, who had the TV rights back then.

I've found loads of clips from that season - so you could easily still lose most of your Sunday watching the links!

Alas, I coudln't find the full video though. Don't know who took it down, or changed the name....but it definitely used to be there.

Clarets4me · Post by **Clarets4me** » Sun Mar 18, 2018 11:12 am

If we'd have had Andy Marriott or Nicky Walker all season, we'd probably have been promoted by Easter !!

Remember a brilliantly constructed winner at Mansfield, demolishing Northampton 5-0 at home on a Tuesday night, and this game against Gillingham where Mike Conroy got a hat-trick but should have had 5/6....I'm fairly sure Gillingham were play-off contenders at the time but eventually finished 11th..

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EJGc26BRbxk

Also, It was a very Northern based League that season, so tremendous away support... lots of away games within 2 hours travel

JimmyRobbo · Post by **JimmyRobbo** » Sun Mar 18, 2018 11:21 am

I've recently been in the company of both Harper and Mullen.

I'm really pleased that JImmy seems to have confronted and controlled his demons. He is phenomenally personable, knows everyone in football and is a genuinely helpful bloke. Had some great stories about Conroy among others. He says you could write a book about the York game alone. I really enjoyed talking to him. Genuinely is a true football fan.

Harper didn't impress me as much. Seems a bit 'different'. Still in decent shape though.

claretandy · Post by **claretandy** » Sun Mar 18, 2018 11:26 am

THEWELLERNUT70 wrote:The VHS was redone and released as a DVD a couple of years back complete with bonus interviews with players from that team. Conroy was tracked down to Australia? where he now resides

would love to see this with the bonus interviews.

mdd2 · Post by **mdd2** » Sun Mar 18, 2018 11:31 am

I am really pleased to hear that JM is in recovery and hope he has the determination and support around him to continue. Always thought it sad that we have never been able to get him back to the Turf. Despite his problems we took a great leap forward under his stewardship and may with more ££££ done better than the end result became in 1996 with slippage down league one (as it now is) until BK and Stan came in.

cricketfieldclarets · Post by **cricketfieldclarets** » Sun Mar 18, 2018 12:26 pm

Milltown1882 wrote:Anyone know anywhere you can get a copy of the VHS converted to DVD? Born in 89 so most of my early years were spent watching that over and over again would be great to watch it again!

I got a copy done years ago. You can get them done on standish street.

cricketfieldclarets · Post by **cricketfieldclarets** » Sun Mar 18, 2018 12:36 pm

JimmyRobbo wrote:I've recently been in the company of both Harper and Mullen.

I'm really pleased that JImmy seems to have confronted and controlled his demons. He is phenomenally personable, knows everyone in football and is a genuinely helpful bloke. Had some great stories about Conroy among others. He says you could write a book about the York game alone. I really enjoyed talking to him. Genuinely is a true football fan.

Harper didn't impress me as much. Seems a bit 'different'. Still in decent shape though.

My favourite manger ever. Love him. Glad it sounds like hes doing well.

ClaretTony · Post by **ClaretTony** » Sun Mar 18, 2018 4:00 pm

It was exciting because we were finally getting out of the bottom division, but it was very basic long ball football making use of pace down the flanks.

Dark Cloud · Post by **Dark Cloud** » Sun Mar 18, 2018 4:43 pm

We have an awful lot to thank Mullen for as that season and the play off season finishing at Wembley '94 were absolutely brilliant, especially compared to what we'd suffered before. I did understand the reasons why, but I always felt the board were far loyal to Jimmy to a fault when it was clear we (and possibly he) were out of our depth in division 1 and had they been more ruthless we might even have survived or at least been in better shape after our immediate relegation.
That 4-1 Gillingham home win is another often forgotten, but I'll never forget the return fixture which was probably our one blip on our otherwise amazing run towards promotion. A 3-0 reverse on a Tuesday night when we barely had a kick and we arrived late to find us already one down!

Caernarfon_Claret · Post by **Caernarfon_Claret** » Sun Mar 18, 2018 4:52 pm

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Herts Clarets · Post by **Herts Clarets** » Sun Mar 18, 2018 5:10 pm

ClaretTony wrote:It was exciting because we were finally getting out of the bottom division, but it was very basic long ball football making use of pace down the flanks.

We scored some very well constructed goals that season. Yes we had pace out wide with Francis but I wouldn't class Harper as pacy and I don't recall playing 'basic long ball football'.

To answer the original question, better than any other team in the division by some distance. And another to say I am pleased that Jimmy Mullen is well. He had his well publicised problems but from personal experience I found him to be a decent bloke and had time to chat with me about the game and football in general.

ClaretTony · Post by **ClaretTony** » Sun Mar 18, 2018 5:33 pm

Herts Clarets wrote:I don't recall playing 'basic long ball football

Not knocking it because it served a purpose, but that's exactly what it was.

Caernarfon_Claret · Post by **Caernarfon_Claret** » Sun Mar 18, 2018 5:54 pm

When you are scoring lots of goals you tend to forget how basic the build up play is.

NL Claret · Post by **NL Claret** » Sun Mar 18, 2018 6:04 pm

Some interesting away games in this season with large followings. This did seem to attract some attention from the locals or in Barnet's case the Met Police and that idiot on a horse who could quite easily have crushed a number of people.

Mansfield was a bit lively on Quarry Lane outside and the whole of Cardiff turned up to pay their respects to us.