Who is our best ever centre forward

pushpinpussy · Post by **pushpinpussy** » Fri Jul 31, 2020 5:16 pm

in my lifetime id narrow it down to the following.

Andy Payton
Danny Ings
Robbie Blake
Andre Gray
Ashley Barnes

Gordaleman · Post by **Gordaleman** » Fri Jul 31, 2020 5:17 pm

None of the above. Willie Irving, Andy Lochead and Billy Hamilton were all better.

(But then I don't know your lifetime.)

Royboyclaret · Post by **Royboyclaret** » Fri Jul 31, 2020 5:19 pm

George Beel
Tommy Lawton
Ray Pointer
Willie Irvine.

Claret Till I Die · Post by **Claret Till I Die** » Fri Jul 31, 2020 5:22 pm

Gordaleman wrote: ↑
Fri Jul 31, 2020 5:17 pm
None of the above. Willie Irving, Andy Lochead and Billy Hamilton were all better.

(But then I don't know your lifetime.)

Suppose Hamilton is the easy one to spell...

claretblue · Post by **claretblue** » Fri Jul 31, 2020 5:24 pm

Ray Pointer

BenWickes · Post by **BenWickes** » Fri Jul 31, 2020 5:24 pm

Gordaleman wrote: ↑
Fri Jul 31, 2020 5:17 pm

(But then I don't know your lifetime.)

This is worrying news. You'd better check your pulse. Have you walked through any walls lately?

Quickenthetempo · Post by **Quickenthetempo** » Fri Jul 31, 2020 5:25 pm

Mike Conroy

ClaretTony · Post by **ClaretTony** » Fri Jul 31, 2020 5:25 pm

Gordaleman wrote: ↑
Fri Jul 31, 2020 5:17 pm
None of the above. Willie Irving, Andy Lochead and Billy Hamilton were all better.

(But then I don't know your lifetime.)

One out of three isn’t bad

claretfern · Post by **claretfern** » Fri Jul 31, 2020 5:30 pm

Willie Irvine / Ray Pointer.

ClaretTony · Post by **ClaretTony** » Fri Jul 31, 2020 5:30 pm

In terms of goal scoring then there is no competition for me, it is Willie Irvine by a country mile. For those of you too young to remember him I can only tell you that he’s the most phenomenal goalscorer I’ve ever seen in a Burnley shirt.

He had a great partnership with Andy Lochhead but there was also Pointer & Robson before that and since I’d suggest Fletcher & Casper and more recently Ings & Vokes and then Gray & Vokes.

But it will always be the brilliant Willie Irvine for me.

fidelcastro · Post by **fidelcastro** » Fri Jul 31, 2020 5:30 pm

Ian Helliwell.

Gordaleman · Post by **Gordaleman** » Fri Jul 31, 2020 5:31 pm

ClaretTony wrote: ↑
Fri Jul 31, 2020 5:25 pm
One out of three isn’t bad

I don't know how old you are Tony. Did you ever see them play? I did. Willie scored 29 league goals during the 1965/66 campaign, while Lochhead, contributed 15.

ClaretTony · Post by **ClaretTony** » Fri Jul 31, 2020 5:31 pm

Gordaleman wrote: ↑
Fri Jul 31, 2020 5:31 pm
I don't know how old you are Tony. Did you ever see them play? I did. Willie scored 29 league goals during the 1965/66 campaign, while Lochhead, contributed 15.

I was commenting on the Lochead and Irving

Rowls · Post by **Rowls** » Fri Jul 31, 2020 5:32 pm

I see your Ian Helliwell and raise you Big John Gayle

Rowls · Post by **Rowls** » Fri Jul 31, 2020 5:33 pm

Serious answers from my era (started watching regularly in '94)

Danny Ings
Charlie Austin
Chris Wood

Gordaleman · Post by **Gordaleman** » Fri Jul 31, 2020 5:33 pm

BenWickes wrote: ↑
Fri Jul 31, 2020 5:24 pm
This is worrying news. You'd better check your pulse. Have you walked through any walls lately?

If I had any idea what you were talking about, I'd try to give you an answer.

fidelcastro · Post by **fidelcastro** » Fri Jul 31, 2020 5:33 pm

Rowls wrote: ↑
Fri Jul 31, 2020 5:32 pm
I see your Ian Helliwell and raise you Big John Gayle

At least Gayle had some comedy value.

BenWickes · Post by **BenWickes** » Fri Jul 31, 2020 5:36 pm

Gordaleman wrote: ↑
Fri Jul 31, 2020 5:33 pm
If I had any idea what you were talking about, I'd try to give you an answer.

You said 'I don't know your lifetime'. Reading your posts I am guessing you're of the older generation so whatever his lifetime is, you'll have been around for it.

Claret Toni · Post by **Claret Toni** » Fri Jul 31, 2020 5:37 pm

Difficult to compare across generations and no I didn't see him play, but legend suggests Bob Kelly is our best ever centre forward.

Honourable mention to the scorer of our FA Cup Final winner, Bertie Freeman.

TheFamilyCat · Post by **TheFamilyCat** » Fri Jul 31, 2020 5:37 pm

Charlie Austin or Chris Wood. Austin was a better goalscorer but Wood is doing it for us in the top tier.

Gordaleman · Post by **Gordaleman** » Fri Jul 31, 2020 5:37 pm

ClaretTony wrote: ↑
Fri Jul 31, 2020 5:31 pm
I was commenting on the Lochead and Irving

Well they were easily our highest scoring duo during the time they were together. I remember Irvine getting a hat trick at Spurs but we still lost 4-3. Can't just recall the year but Gilzean got one for Spurs in the same game. Geoff hurst got one for West Ham the same day, so there were three hat tricks in London on the same afternoon.

claretandy · Post by **claretandy** » Fri Jul 31, 2020 5:37 pm

Wood has to win it at Premier League level.

lakedistrictclaret · Post by **lakedistrictclaret** » Fri Jul 31, 2020 5:38 pm

It's Willie Irvine for me too.

Although I 'd seen us play a few times in the early sixties, I became a Claret on December 4th 1965 ( Spurs at home). Willie scored our goal that day.

He also scored on my first away game as a Burnley fan ( Ewood on New Years Day 1966).

Rowls · Post by **Rowls** » Fri Jul 31, 2020 5:38 pm

fidelcastro wrote: ↑
Fri Jul 31, 2020 5:33 pm
At least Gayle had some comedy value.

Let's not overlook Helliwell's natural gift for physical comedy. Watching him "jump" for headers at Boothferry Park gave Buster Keaton a run for his money.

pushpinpussy · Post by **pushpinpussy** » Fri Jul 31, 2020 5:40 pm

Does Patrick Bamford deserve a mention. Leeds think he is the new Viduka

Gordaleman · Post by **Gordaleman** » Fri Jul 31, 2020 5:41 pm

claretandy wrote: ↑
Fri Jul 31, 2020 5:37 pm
Wood has to win it at Premier League level.

That's sooooooo funny. There was a top division BEFORE the Premier League was invented you know.

fidelcastro · Post by **fidelcastro** » Fri Jul 31, 2020 5:41 pm

Rowls wrote: ↑
Fri Jul 31, 2020 5:38 pm
Let's not overlook Helliwell's natural gift for physical comedy. Watching him "jump" for headers at Boothferry Park gave Buster Keaton a run for his money.

I was at that game, but I wasn't laughing

However, I recall Gayle almost clearing the CFS roof with a shot once!

Woodleyclaret · Post by **Woodleyclaret** » Fri Jul 31, 2020 5:41 pm

Willie Irvine/Ray Pointer

Rowls · Post by **Rowls** » Fri Jul 31, 2020 5:44 pm

fidelcastro wrote: ↑
Fri Jul 31, 2020 5:41 pm
I was at that game, but I wasn't laughing

However, I recall Gayle almost clearing the CFS roof with a shot once!

Which brings to mind GNW's penalty effort....

bobinho · Post by **bobinho** » Fri Jul 31, 2020 5:44 pm

pushpinpussy wrote: ↑
Fri Jul 31, 2020 5:40 pm
Does Patrick Bamford deserve a mention. Leeds think he is the new Viduka

Undoubtedly.

Just not on this thread...

bobinho · Post by **bobinho** » Fri Jul 31, 2020 5:45 pm

anyway, it’s Billy Hamilton, so ner.

Conroysleftfoot · Post by **Conroysleftfoot** » Fri Jul 31, 2020 5:45 pm

There is no definitive answer as it depends on who you saw. For me , at the time, and the situation we were in its got to be Billy Hamilton.

fidelcastro · Post by **fidelcastro** » Fri Jul 31, 2020 5:46 pm

Rowls wrote: ↑
Fri Jul 31, 2020 5:44 pm
Which brings to mind GNW's penalty effort....

Ah yes, I believe they're still looking for that ball.

tiger76 · Post by **tiger76** » Fri Jul 31, 2020 5:46 pm

Best ever is tough, but i'd say Tommy Lawton on his goals per games record would rank highly, although i doubt anybody will have seen him live, and his Burnley stint was brief.

If you're going further back then, George Beel & Bert Freeman both have outstanding goal returns over several seasons, but it's impossible to judge the standards of that era.

I've no doubt the 60's side had several contenders, but they're before my time.

The ones from my era would be as follows.

Mick Conroy-fired us to the Division 4 title
David Eyres-fired us to promotion in 94
Andy Cooke-saved us from an almost certain relegation in the Waddle season
Andy Payton-played a major part in our promotion to the 2nd tier at the turn of the Millennium
Jay Rod-outstanding in both spells, and he's arguably got better as an all round player.
Robbie Blake-one of the few BFC players that could get you off your seat or sofa.
Charlie Austin-nearly 30 goals in a mid-table team tells you all you need to know.
Danny Ings-our truly top class forward of the last 40 years, and he's proven that this season.
Chris Wood-has his critics but he's averaging better than 1 in 3 at PL level.

Out of those Ings is the one who stands out for me. His partnership with Vokes, and his link-up play with Trippier was a joy to behold for a couple of seasons.

Now of course this all depends on whether you consider Jimmy McIlroy as a centre forward or not, if you do then the question is moot, but most peeps probably class him as a wide player, so he may not qualify for this accolade.

Gordaleman · Post by **Gordaleman** » Fri Jul 31, 2020 5:48 pm

BenWickes wrote: ↑
Fri Jul 31, 2020 5:36 pm
You said 'I don't know your lifetime'. Reading your posts I am guessing you're of the older generation so whatever his lifetime is, you'll have been around for it.

I'm 72 years old (And supported Burnley since I was four.) and not afraid to say so, but if I don't know how many years Pushpinpussy has been supporting Burnley, it's impossible to judge his selections. That's all I meant. No need for sarky comments about pulse's to a guy with a poor heart condition.

Conroy92 · Post by **Conroy92** » Fri Jul 31, 2020 5:50 pm

We've been blessed with good forwards for a while. At whatever level we seem to find them, below are the best from my years watching.

Payton
Blake
Taylor
Gray (Andy),
Akinbiyi (first spell)
Austin
Ings
Wood

Honourable mentions to Fletcher and Vokes.

Longsidelenny1882 · Post by **Longsidelenny1882** » Fri Jul 31, 2020 5:52 pm

Don’t forget gifton

utc

MACCA · Post by **MACCA** » Fri Jul 31, 2020 5:53 pm

Ihard as they played for us at different levels and all different types of players

Ings if we ever get a player as good as him again I'll be cock a hoop
Austin great natural finisher
Wood done it now consistently at the highest level with is at our best for a while
Payton lived the dream of many of playing and scoring for Burnley
Conroy tore division 4 a new 1
Taylor so underrated for many

( cant really put Wright in as it was too short and we only saw brief glimpses of his quality )

Gordaleman · Post by **Gordaleman** » Fri Jul 31, 2020 5:57 pm

ClaretTony wrote: ↑
Fri Jul 31, 2020 5:31 pm
I was commenting on the Lochead and Irving

Just realised what you are on about actually. Irvine I knew, so why I said Irving, I don't know. Lochhead I thought about and went for one 'H'.

Didn't realise that you were a nitpicker.

MDWat · Post by **MDWat** » Fri Jul 31, 2020 5:58 pm

Obviously dependent on age.

First game was 1996. I’d narrow down to Ings, Austin and Wood. Austin is probably my favourite, Wood is best given the level he’s consistently delivered at.

expoultryboy · Post by **expoultryboy** » Fri Jul 31, 2020 5:58 pm

I've been following the clarets since 1967 and have enjoyed watching some great centre forwards on the way . One combination that hasn't been mentioned was fletcher and hankin who served us well in the seventies .

huw.Y.WattfromWare · Post by **huw.Y.WattfromWare** » Fri Jul 31, 2020 5:59 pm

RAY POINTER.
All these young pups running around closing defenders down are 60 years behind Ray. He also managed to score goals for fun. After breaking his leg and leaving us he had great goals/game at Bury and Coventry. 2 in 3 for England as well.

Personal information
Full name Raymond Pointer
Date of birth 10 October 1936
Place of birth Cramlington, Northumberland, England
Date of death 26 January 2016 (aged 79)
Place of death Blackpool, Lancashire, England
Playing position(s) Striker
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1957–1964 Burnley 223 (118)
1965 Bury 19 (17)
1965–1966 Coventry City 26 (13)
1966–1972 Portsmouth 152 (31)
1972–1975 Waterlooville ? (?)
National team
1961 England 3 (2)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only

claretandy · Post by **claretandy** » Fri Jul 31, 2020 6:00 pm

Gordaleman wrote: ↑
Fri Jul 31, 2020 5:41 pm
That's sooooooo funny. There was a top division BEFORE the Premier League was invented you know.

I'm 40 years old, i'm commenting on what i've seen.

Gordaleman · Post by **Gordaleman** » Fri Jul 31, 2020 6:17 pm

huw.Y.WattfromWare wrote: ↑
Fri Jul 31, 2020 5:59 pm
RAY POINTER.
All these young pups running around closing defenders down are 60 years behind Ray. He also managed to score goals for fun. After breaking his leg and leaving us he had great goals/game at Bury and Coventry. 2 in 3 for England as well.

Personal information
Full name Raymond Pointer
Date of birth 10 October 1936
Place of birth Cramlington, Northumberland, England
Date of death 26 January 2016 (aged 79)
Place of death Blackpool, Lancashire, England
Playing position(s) Striker
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1957–1964 Burnley 223 (118)
1965 Bury 19 (17)
1965–1966 Coventry City 26 (13)
1966–1972 Portsmouth 152 (31)
1972–1975 Waterlooville ? (?)
National team
1961 England 3 (2)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only

What I loved abot Ray was that there was no such thing as a lost cause. He'd chase everthing. He caught a few though and invariably scored as a result. Top player and I'm happy to add him to my earlier list.

Gordaleman · Post by **Gordaleman** » Fri Jul 31, 2020 6:20 pm

claretandy wrote: ↑
Fri Jul 31, 2020 6:00 pm
I'm 40 years old, i'm commenting on what i've seen.

Fair enough, but that's not what you said. You suggested the PL was superior, even though it was only the name that changed. The same teams and players were there the day before.

pushpinpussy · Post by **pushpinpussy** » Fri Jul 31, 2020 6:24 pm

What I loved about Ray was that there was no such thing as a lost cause.

You could say that about Martin Patterson

kaptin1 · Post by **kaptin1** » Fri Jul 31, 2020 6:40 pm

Gifton Noel-Williams!

*** End of thread ***

Rowls · Post by **Rowls** » Fri Jul 31, 2020 6:42 pm

Surprise entry for Martin Paterson!

I enjoyed his time at Burnley. Great commitment on the pitch and he surely regrets jumping ship when Dyche came on board.

Far from the best obviously.

But he did score *that* goal at Reading.

claretandy · Post by **claretandy** » Fri Jul 31, 2020 6:42 pm

Gordaleman wrote: ↑
Fri Jul 31, 2020 6:20 pm
Fair enough, but that's not what you said. You suggested the PL was superior, even though it was only the name that changed. The same teams and players were there the day before.

Where did i say the PL was Superior? here's a clue, i didn't say that.

Gordaleman · Post by **Gordaleman** » Fri Jul 31, 2020 6:55 pm

You might not have actually said it, and I didn't say you did, but you certainly suggested it.

"Wood has to win it at Premier League level."

So P L level is somehow different to what is was called the day before?