ARTICLE: Another win but Burnley mourns death of Smith

[ClaretTony]

The latest news from 60 years ago

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http://www.uptheclarets.com/another-win ... h-of-smith" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[IanMcL]

Looking at the league table, we were 3rd, as stated, with 2 points for a win and 1for the draw. With 3 points for a win, our 5 wins would have put us top.

[IanMcL]

On a different note, Garry Sobers must have that incident with him always.

[ClaretTony]

Looking at the league table, we were 3rd, as stated, with 2 points for a win and 1for the draw. With 3 points for a win, our 5 wins would have put us top.

The top three would have been reversed.

[Vino blanco]

As I get older, my memory for past games isn't that great, but I do remember this particular game quite well. Happy days.

[CleggHall]

Sobers was much troubled by the accident and said Smith would have been a better all rounder than himself.

Mac took West Brom apart playing on the right wing with arm in a sling. Don Howe writing in the West Brom local press said it was unfair and that the Burnley (Longside?) crowd would have lynched anyone who touched Mac. Bobby Robson was some player that day.
My 2nd ever game at Turf Moor.

[FCBurnley]

Very good report especially the section re Collie Smith. I remember clearly being on holiday in Llandudno when the accident occurred ( I was 12). What I never knew until Tony’s reports was that Gary Sobers was the driver. How the world has changed ! Today if you were found guilty of causing death by careless driving you would surely receive a serious prison sentence. I am not saying that should have happened to Gary Sobers but just comparing the world today to that of 60 years ago.

[ClaretTony]

Dewdney didn't play for a while after the accident but was on the WI tour to Australia in 1960/61 after which he retired at 27. Whether that was due to injuries in the crash I don't know.

[Silkyskills1]

As I get older, my memory for past games isn't that great, but I do remember this particular game quite well. Happy days.

Most definitely an age thingI think. Again my dad took me to this one on the bus from Haslingden. He must have been knackered, having just done a morning shift at Constablee Mill after a Monday to Friday of 6am to 6pm in that heat. As a youngster this didn't really enter my head of course and I just wanted to be at the match that afternoon. Like a lot of older fans now I eventually got used to seeing Mc with his thigh strapped up but his arm strapped to his side didn't look comfortable at all when he came back on the pitch. No wonder he was my boyhood hero; he took charge of the game and once more turned the game around in our favour. I was only 7 years old but relishing everything this man produced seemingly every week. Looking at the line-ups WBA had some very good.players and I must make mention of their inside forward,Dave Burnside who as well as being a fine footballer became renowned for his ball-juggling skills which occasionally he displayed in the warm-up just prior to kick off. Any football book or annual of that era was probably likely to feature Dave Burnside.

[ClaretTony]

They did have some very good players - apart from Burnside and Robson, already mentioned, Don Howe was an outstanding full back and there were such as Maurice Setters, Ronnie Allen & Derek Kevan.

[andyh]

I love league tables... we had let in more than 5 of the bottom 6 at this stage. And they say you need a great defence to win the league.

[ClaretTony]

I love league tables... we had let in more than 5 of the bottom 6 at this stage. And they say you need a great defence to win the league.

I noticed our goal average was low for a team near the top

[IanMcL]

Like watching England v Kosovo every week!

[Suratclaret]

With no substitutions in those days, injured players were frequently moved onto the wing but this didn't prevent the amazing Jimmy Mac from continuing to torment WBA who weren't without some very good players themselves. How Jimmy was able to play like he did was incredible and I suspect a number of West Brom players couldn't work it out either!
It wasn't uncommon in those days for teams to score 80,90 or 100+goals but also concede 60 or 70...not sure what modern day coaches would make of that.

[ClaretTony]

On the subject of playing with an arm strapped up, even with substitutes it happened and in big games. Move on to 1970 and the World Cup semi-final between Italy and West Germany. Franz Beckenbauer played part of the game with his arm in a sling.

It's incredible to think that a player would do that now - it just wouldn't happen.

[mdd2]

Yes it was a moment that will remain with me I think even if I end up not knowing who I am.
To be fair to WBA the full back could have really knocked seven bells out of Mac but didn't. However the wizardry of JM with his whole arm strapped to his side had to be seen to be believed and it did not stop him getting along the by-line a few times either

[CleggHall]

Agreed mdd2 a game that will last in the memory for ever.
Maurice Setters had already "knocked seven bells out of Mac", that was the problem. Along with Jimmy Scoular and Eddie Clamp, Mac reckoned these 3 the hardest he played against though the Burnley side of 59/60 could hand it out too.

[mdd2]

Agreed mdd2 a game that will last in the memory for ever.
Maurice Setters had already "knocked seven bells out of Mac", that was the problem. Along with Jimmy Scoular and Eddie Clamp, Mac reckoned these 3 the hardest he played against though the Burnley side of 59/60 could hand it out too.

Especially Adam's misplaced punching of the ball. Didn't he knock a tooth from Bryan Douglas' mouth in one game? The number of forwards who bounced off Adam as they charged him was legendary and a feature of many a game on the Turf

[Suratclaret]

Especially Adam's misplaced punching of the ball. Didn't he knock a tooth from Bryan Douglas' mouth in one game? The number of forwards who bounced off Adam as they charged him was legendary and a feature of many a game on the Turf

They certainly were a feature...can remember Bobby Smith of Spurs who wasn't exactly a lightweight shoulder charging or more accurately attempting to shoulder charge Adam Blacklaw who didn't move an inch. Bit like the irresistible force meeting the immovable object. After Smith picked himself up, he slapped AB on the back who responded the same way which must have been like being hit with a sledge hammer. Imagine that nowadays...we would have endless slo mo replays, probably VAR involved and SMith rolling around as if he had been shot!