ARTICLE: Benched for his own testimonial

[ClaretTony]

Kevin Long has been talking to the Irish press, and not without a bit of humour.

See link
http://www.uptheclarets.com/benched-for ... estimonial" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[Fretters]

Top professional but he's had a strange career. He's like an outfield Steve Harper.

[claretburns]

63 appearances in nearly 10 years, I don't know the stats but that has to be a record for an outfield player, certainly at Burnley?

[Bosscat]

63 appearances in nearly 10 years, I don't know the stats but that has to be a record for an outfield player, certainly at Burnley?

And people whine about Steven Defours time with Burnley.....

[DomBFC1882]

Lucky to have a player of his calibre whos happy to sit on the bench tbh. Always impresses me when he gets his chance but hes just not mee/tarky level so can understand why he doesn't start but he's a credit to our club.

[Steve1956]

Kevin Long has been talking to the Irish press, and not without a bit of humour.

See link
http://www.uptheclarets.com/benched-for ... estimonial" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Great article that,and in these days of Prima Donna footballers Kevin Long comes across as a breath of fresh air.

[Suratclaret]

Great article that,and in these days of Prima Donna footballers Kevin Long comes across as a breath of fresh air.

Spot on...couldn't agree more.

[BOYSIE31]

Said the other month about him - if it was me i would drop down and play every week but i dont get him just happy to sit around every season and know he is hardly likely to play - will regret it when he finishes playing.

[claretfern]

Said the other month about him - if it was me i would drop down and play every week but i dont get him just happy to sit around every season and know he is hardly likely to play - will regret it when he finishes playing.

Agree. And atm it looks like Ben Gibson is going down the same route. Surely these guys want to be playing regularly?

[MACCA]

He does say he wants more games, he does say he has spoke to SD a couple of times but the right move for the club and him hasn't come up yet.

He'll be on a lot of money for not a lot at the moment, he's got to make sure he gets similar elsewhere and guaranteed first team football otherwise there's really no point moving.

[Spike]

And people whine about Steven Defours time with Burnley.....

Defour not fit to lace Long's boots

[ClaretTony]

Defour not fit to lace Long's boots

Ha ha

[Bosscat]

Defour not fit to lace Long's boots

Yeah Hamstring gone ... out for several months 'AGAIN' and thats playing in the Belgian league that is 1/2 the pace of the Prem

[cricketfieldclarets]

He does say he wants more games, he does say he has spoke to SD a couple of times but the right move for the club and him hasn't come up yet.

He'll be on a lot of money for not a lot at the moment, he's got to make sure he gets similar elsewhere and guaranteed first team football otherwise there's really no point moving.

Longer term he could get more.

Once he gets to a certain age and we move him on who will take a chance.

He’s at the age now when we signed Duff so plenty o time for a good career. But for his own good he should move on soon. Obviously brilliant as backup for us.

If I was him I’d try and get a move to a top championship club. That said he knows an injury to Tarkowski or even a change of system and he’s first choice at a premier league club.

At least he has been patient and loyal. To an extent he’s been unfortunate that we’ve been blessed with top centre halves in his time here.

[Dark Cloud]

Agree. And atm it looks like Ben Gibson is going down the same route. Surely these guys want to be playing regularly?

It's clear that Long wants to play, but he readily accepts that he won't play unless we're stuck and he's kind of happy with that, which is slightly odd but at least he's pragmatic and honest about it. However that stance is pretty unusual and almost unique in an outfield player and Gibson I'd suggest (no evidence, just assumption) is not so happy and must be busy tunneling his way out of Gawthorpe using mainly spoons wondering just what he was thinking of when he signed!!

[Blackrod]

And people whine about Steven Defours time with Burnley.....

The difference is Long has been available if needed. He can always say he’s played in the PL and has been loyal to our club.

[mdd2]

[quote="cricketfieldclarets"]Longer term he could get more.

Once he gets to a certain age and we move him on who will take a chance.

He’s at the age now when we signed Duff so plenty o time for a good career. But for his own good he should move on soon. Obviously brilliant as backup for us.

I hadn't realised that Duffo was 26.5 years when we signed him and he played until the end of 15-16 season making him 38. Kevin is just 29 and should he outlast Duffo to 39 and stay here he could have two testimonials.

[KRBFC]

Long comes across really well, been an excellent servant for us, I know some will disagree but I actually think he’s a good defender and has never let us down. Dependable pro and the type of player id assume many managers would like to have.

[jrgbfc]

You only get one career though, I think it's quite sad that he seems happy to waste it not playing, even though financially he should be set for life.

[Steve1956]

You only get one career though, I think it's quite sad that he seems happy to waste it not playing, even though financially he should be set for life.

I would have loved to have spent my working life sat on me arse getting paid for doing nowt,I might be a bit fitter than I am now my working life has ended.

[Mala591]

If I was a Championship manager Kevin Long would be no.1 on my recruitment list.

[Tricky Trevor]

You don’t tend to get injured on the bench. Stay there Kev. You’re doing a top job.

[MACCA]

If I was a Championship manager Kevin Long would be no.1 on my recruitment list.

Which is why you ain't.

No disrespect but I doubt any championship manager would have Kev Long number 1 on their recruitment list....

He a good back up championship defender for a top side in the league. Probably a regular for a mid table club.

[dsr]

63 appearances in nearly 10 years, I don't know the stats but that has to be a record for an outfield player, certainly at Burnley?

I doubt it. In the days of bigger squads (eg. 1960's) it wasn't uncommon for reserves to be reserves for a long time. Trevor Meredith, for example, played 37 games in 7 seasons (scored 8 goals, including one at Man City in 1960 that was quite important!) before moving on at age 27.

[ClaretTony]

It wasn’t so much bigger squads in the 60s, more a first team and a reserve team so you had lots of players who were in the reserves who only got a look in when there was an injury. There were players like Jim Furnell, Mick Buxton, Trevor Meredith, Johnny Price, Ian Lawson, Ian Towers & Ronnie Fenton. None of them played a lot of games.