Earliest BFC memories

Jakubclaret · Post by **Jakubclaret** » Mon Dec 14, 2020 10:10 pm

I was late onto the scene due to living abroad working away, probably early 90s on the longside vs donny & Ron futcher obliging with a late winner, I think it was the same season playoffs emerged to be thwarted by Torquay it could have been the season before or after the memory is hazy with advanced years.

claptrappers_union · Post by **claptrappers_union** » Mon Dec 14, 2020 10:30 pm

Inchy wrote: ↑
Mon Dec 14, 2020 8:14 pm
First ever memory was walking up to the BLS in the early 90s and being amazed by the amount of people about

Also remember at an open day (the one where Adrian Randall juggled the ball around the pitch)

https://twitter.com/burnleygoals/status ... 36?lang=en

claret59 · Post by **claret59** » Mon Dec 14, 2020 10:41 pm

I was travelling on a bus in Barnoldswick and my best friend happened to say to anyone listening :"I can't understand anyone from round here not supporting Burnley , they are a top team."
Until that moment I had no interest in football whatsoever but I was struck by the logic of my best friend's comment and started following Burnley from then on. It had to be at a distance as I had no means or money to go to the Turf. My best friend proved to be right as Burnley won the First Division title that season.
My first game , from memory, was Burnley beating QPR six nil in the 3rd Round of the FA Cup. (The season they got to Wembley I think.)

ElectroClaret · Post by **ElectroClaret** » Mon Dec 14, 2020 10:42 pm

Steve1956 wrote: ↑
Mon Dec 14, 2020 6:51 pm
Watson's of Bolton on the floodlights....well I think it was Watson's

Yeah, those big yellow signs on the floodlights.
One of my first non-football memories.

tim_noone · Post by **tim_noone** » Mon Dec 14, 2020 10:44 pm

sixtiesclaret wrote: ↑
Mon Dec 14, 2020 8:54 pm
Early 1960s first home match of the season stood on what is now the cricketfield stand lost 3-1 to everton all i can remember is ray pointer got our goal magical atmosphere for a young lad.

dsr · Post by **dsr** » Tue Dec 15, 2020 12:13 am

Colburn_Claret wrote: ↑
Mon Dec 14, 2020 6:50 pm
No idea of the match but I was small enough to ride on my Dads shoulders.
I'd guess about 61.
More vivid memories of going back to my Nans in Hassy after the match, and going to the corner shop to get the Pink and the match reports.

61 and still riding on your Dad's shoulders? He must have been quite a man.

My first memory is April 1972 or thereabouts, Burnley 2 Millwall 0. Frank Casper put the ball on the roof of the net from about 3 yards.

BenWickes · Post by **BenWickes** » Tue Dec 15, 2020 6:52 am

Earliest memory is standing on the Longside although I don't remember who against as I'd only have been 5 so somewhere around 1978. I do remember visiting Gawthorpe and getting a signed team photo of the lads although too young to realise the significance of the visit at the time. They were wearing the famed 'V Shirts' so would have been around the same time.

Vintage Claret · Post by **Vintage Claret** » Tue Dec 15, 2020 8:38 am

My first memory is being in the Cricket field stand on the 1st row right behind the goal in season 73/74.

We were getting into position to defend a corner and Keith Newton was stationed at the near post.

For some reason someone bellowed from the crowd a few rows back "oi, Newton, yer big poof"

Keith turned and looked at the offender, and blew him a kiss!

Steve1956 · Post by **Steve1956** » Tue Dec 15, 2020 8:39 am

ElectroClaret wrote: ↑
Mon Dec 14, 2020 10:42 pm
Yeah, those big yellow signs on the floodlights.
One of my first non-football memories.

And as a kid I often wondered why would we have a rival building our floodlights, could we not build our own

Herts Clarets · Post by **Herts Clarets** » Tue Dec 15, 2020 8:55 am

tiger76 wrote: ↑
Mon Dec 14, 2020 5:46 pm
My earliest BFC recollection was receiving a programme in the mid 80's, that said programme was of our away leg of our LC tie with Man Utd, of course we got pumped 4-0 and 3-0 in that 2-legged affair, but that programme given to me by my uncle was a glimpse into the life of Burnley football club, admittedly not the best period in our long history, but as an 8 year old i was immediately hooked, and that hook never leaves you no matter where you happen to move too in the world.

That's a relatively brief anecdote, and I'm sure some of you guys will have much more vivid recollections of your first BFC memories, both good and bad.

The game where we kicked off and were 1 down after 18 seconds courtesy of Bryan Robson. I remember going on a Football Special to this game and one of my more pessimistic mates said we should sit in the middle carriages. Safer if the train gets hit from the front or the rear was his logic. So we pulled in to Accrington station and the middle of the train was on fire where the 2 carriages joined! I think they took a couple of carriages off the train and there was a bit of aggro on the platform as we waited with one or two Rovers fans.

As for first memories, mine was last game of the 1974/75 season at home to Stoke City. My Dad took me in the BL stand and there were a few Stoke fans around us apparently using bad language. Game finished 0-0 but i couldnt wait to go again. Next game we were stood on the Bee Hole end v Man City. Game finished 0-0, though very eventful with Dennis Tueart taking 3 penalties in the game. First was saved by Gerry Peyton. Second scored but ordered a retake due to encroachment Third hit the post and went wide.

tim_noone · Post by **tim_noone** » Tue Dec 15, 2020 9:17 am

claptrappers_union wrote: ↑
Mon Dec 14, 2020 10:30 pm
https://twitter.com/burnleygoals/status ... 36?lang=en

Cracking player....so many what ifs for adrian randall....

NottsClaret · Post by **NottsClaret** » Tue Dec 15, 2020 9:31 am

Started in '86 but first clear memory is the Bolton cup game in '88. My dad must have had an idea what would happen because we went in the Bob Lord and a younger Notts spent the game watching missiles fly back and forth across the Longside no-mans land.

claretonthecoast1882 · Post by **claretonthecoast1882** » Tue Dec 15, 2020 9:35 am

NottsClaret wrote: ↑
Tue Dec 15, 2020 9:31 am
Started in '86 but first clear memory is the Bolton cup game in '88. My dad must have had an idea what would happen because we went in the Bob Lord and a younger Notts spent the game watching missiles fly back and forth across the Longside no-mans land.

Remember that day, I was at the bottom of the Longside and it was a bit lively. Didn't we play them at home the week after in the League ? Got it in my head we had an ex-player each asking the crowd to behave

Dark Cloud · Post by **Dark Cloud** » Tue Dec 15, 2020 9:40 am

Born in '58, so too young for the Championship winning side unfortunately, but my dad and uncle had season tickets in the old Brunshaw Rd stand seats and by about '63 and '64 they were taking me and my brother on to games, even though all we did was run around and annoy folk. I remember the half time Kit-Kat and the flask of coffee more than most of the football, but what I do remember is seeing Willie Irvine score 4 in a game once and being thoroughly deflated when I discovered later it was only the reserves we were watching! I came to realise later that it was more often reserve games we were taken to back then as the first team crowds would be too big and we didn't actually have seats of our own. When we got relegated at the end of the 60's my dad fell out with going on (glory hunter!) but by promotion in '72 I was old enough to go back on on my own with mates and have barely missed since!

Leisure · Post by **Leisure** » Tue Dec 15, 2020 9:43 am

1960/61 season. Can't remember if it was the Reims or Hamburg game but was in the Enclosure to the left of the tunnel with my Dad and Auntie and remember I couldn't see, so I was passed over people's heads so that I could sit at the front on the track.

NottsClaret · Post by **NottsClaret** » Tue Dec 15, 2020 9:44 am

claretonthecoast1882 wrote: ↑
Tue Dec 15, 2020 9:35 am
Didn't we play them at home the week after in the League ?

We did, and my mum wouldn't let me go after reading about it in the paper. Obviously, we won the one I missed.

dsr · Post by **dsr** » Tue Dec 15, 2020 9:50 am

claretonthecoast1882 wrote: ↑
Tue Dec 15, 2020 9:35 am
Remember that day, I was at the bottom of the Longside and it was a bit lively. Didn't we play them at home the week after in the League ? Got it in my head we had an ex-player each asking the crowd to behave

Nat Lofthouse and Tommy Cummings, from memory. Has someone else got a better memory?

Herts Clarets · Post by **Herts Clarets** » Tue Dec 15, 2020 9:52 am

claretonthecoast1882 wrote: ↑
Tue Dec 15, 2020 9:35 am
Remember that day, I was at the bottom of the Longside and it was a bit lively. Didn't we play them at home the week after in the League ? Got it in my head we had an ex-player each asking the crowd to behave

We lost the cup game and there was loads of trouble in and out of the ground. There is a clip on You Tube of Bolton fans on the pitch at full time as the gates had been left open. Then there are hoards scaling the fence at the Bee Hole end and charging across the pitch. Bolton fans back up towards the CF stand and were attacked from behind by the nutters in there. Only time i have seen police horses inside the ground trying to sort out the trouble. Bolton mini bus on Fulledge was turned on its side and set alight after the game. Week after was the league game that we won and passed without a problem. Same can't be said for the game at Burnden at Easter 88...

Silkyskills1 · Post by **Silkyskills1** » Tue Dec 15, 2020 10:35 am

Honestly can't recall much about the early games I attended from late 1958 but other things I do remember. The bus from Haslingden to Rawtenstall with my dad and then a line of buses at Rawtenstall waiting to fill up with supporters.
If I went with my older brothers I remember I always had to run to keep up with them as they walked faster than me!
On cold days my mum wouldn't let me set off without insisting I wear my balaclava, scarf and gloves. Winter's were much harsher back then.

groove · Post by **groove** » Tue Dec 15, 2020 10:49 am

Herts Clarets wrote: ↑
Tue Dec 15, 2020 9:52 am
We lost the cup game and there was loads of trouble in and out of the ground. There is a clip on You Tube of Bolton fans on the pitch at full time as the gates had been left open. Then there are hoards scaling the fence at the Bee Hole end and charging across the pitch. Bolton fans back up towards the CF stand and were attacked from behind by the nutters in there. Only time i have seen police horses inside the ground trying to sort out the trouble. Bolton mini bus on Fulledge was turned on its side and set alight after the game. Week after was the league game that we won and passed without a problem. Same can't be said for the game at Burnden at Easter 88...

I think it was John Thomas who scored the winner for Bolton with a penalty in the cup game. I was behind the goals at the Bee Hole in the closing minutes and remember Grewcock catching the keeper, David Felgate off his line and chipping him. Felgate cleared off the line with an overhead scissors kick! I was only 12 and had travelled to the game on my own from Accy on the train, which was full of Bolton. Very lively afternoon indeed and I had plenty to talk about at school on Monday.

Woodleyclaret · Post by **Woodleyclaret** » Tue Dec 15, 2020 12:40 pm

Ist home game early 60s travelled from home with lots of glory hunter Manure fans
We lost 1-0 with Law scoring but I was hooked
Same season I travelled to a packed Goodison (my nearest ground) to see a 4-3 win 60000 fans on.
A tremendous atmosphere pre seats.

Herts Clarets · Post by **Herts Clarets** » Tue Dec 15, 2020 1:43 pm

Aftermath of the 1987 FA Cup game v Bolton

https://youtu.be/ZEDQzyAAB30

Ptangyangkipperbang · Post by **Ptangyangkipperbang** » Tue Dec 15, 2020 1:46 pm

My first memory is seeing us get beat 3-0 on M.O.T.D. by Nottingham Forest 1972-73 season my first visit to the Turf was John Angus Testimonial and I think my first proper match was against Hearts in the Texaco cup both 1973 for the record we won 5-0

Herts Clarets · Post by **Herts Clarets** » Tue Dec 15, 2020 1:57 pm

Ptangyangkipperbang wrote: ↑
Tue Dec 15, 2020 1:46 pm
My first memory is seeing us get beat 3-0 on M.O.T.D. by Nottingham Forest 1972-73 season my first visit to the Turf was John Angus Testimonial and I think my first proper match was against Hearts in the Texaco cup both 1973 for the record we won 5-0

John Angus testimonial i think was the game Willie Irvine was refused permission to play by Halifax so he walked out and played anyway.

Hibsclaret · Post by **Hibsclaret** » Tue Dec 15, 2020 2:05 pm

tiger76 wrote: ↑
Mon Dec 14, 2020 5:46 pm
My earliest BFC recollection was receiving a programme in the mid 80's, that said programme was of our away leg of our LC tie with Man Utd, of course we got pumped 4-0 and 3-0 in that 2-legged affair, but that programme given to me by my uncle was a glimpse into the life of Burnley football club, admittedly not the best period in our long history, but as an 8 year old i was immediately hooked, and that hook never leaves you no matter where you happen to move too in the world.

That's a relatively brief anecdote, and I'm sure some of you guys will have much more vivid recollections of your first BFC memories, both good and bad.

I was at OT for the first leg and missed the kick off and the goal as I was finding my seat. Bloody Bryan Robson...

As for earliest stuff my first game was against Orient in late 77....typically a nil nil draw although the same opposition would provide more pleasant memories a year or two later....

Most vivid early memory is from late 78 when we beat Fulham 5 -3...some game that was...not to mention the Anglo Scottish cup games from the same season....notably the 4 - 1 win at Boundary Park being probably the earliest away game I remember....and of course the Celtic invasion...

claretonthecoast1882 · Post by **claretonthecoast1882** » Tue Dec 15, 2020 2:30 pm

Herts Clarets wrote: ↑
Tue Dec 15, 2020 9:52 am
We lost the cup game and there was loads of trouble in and out of the ground. There is a clip on You Tube of Bolton fans on the pitch at full time as the gates had been left open. Then there are hoards scaling the fence at the Bee Hole end and charging across the pitch. Bolton fans back up towards the CF stand and were attacked from behind by the nutters in there. Only time i have seen police horses inside the ground trying to sort out the trouble. Bolton mini bus on Fulledge was turned on its side and set alight after the game. Week after was the league game that we won and passed without a problem. Same can't be said for the game at Burnden at Easter 88...

No the easter game was a bit mad. I went on the train with some mates and thought we had survived until the train we were on pulled in at Blackburn.

Vino blanco · Post by **Vino blanco** » Tue Dec 15, 2020 2:33 pm

Sitting on a barrier on the Bee Hole end with my dad holding me in place. This would have been circa 1952: my dad pointed out a player with a shock of wavy blond hair wearing an old gold shirt, he said "that's Billy Wright and he's the captain of England". I thought I was witnessing the presence of royalty on a par with a king or queen. It certainly made a lasting impression on me.

huw.Y.WattfromWare · Post by **huw.Y.WattfromWare** » Tue Dec 15, 2020 2:46 pm

gawthorpe_view wrote: ↑
Mon Dec 14, 2020 6:17 pm
That was a bad day.
Freezing, dark, chucking it down.
Stuffed out of sight, Kindon ran us ragged.
Relegation beckoned.

And it was on show to the country, MoTD.

huw.Y.WattfromWare · Post by **huw.Y.WattfromWare** » Tue Dec 15, 2020 2:51 pm

Silkyskills1 wrote: ↑
Mon Dec 14, 2020 9:12 pm
That sounds like Driver's on Bury Rd. in Haslingden. I was dispatched there most Saturday evenings about 6.20 for the 'Sports' by my dad and brothers but was then invariably the last one to read it. Wonderful era.

It was the shop on Shute, Silky. Me Nan lived on Hillside Rd.

huw.Y.WattfromWare · Post by **huw.Y.WattfromWare** » Tue Dec 15, 2020 2:57 pm

My earliest memories are before my first match, that was West Ham March ‘62.
My Dad, uncles and friends talking all things Claret for hours and hours before and after every match. I was desperate to go and see what all the excitement was about but in the days of regular 30k crowds I was considered to small. When I did eventually get on with a big crowd I remember coming down the steps at the town end of the Longside and feeling like you were just being carried along. Scary but so exhilarating to a young ‘un.

BedfordsDad · Post by **BedfordsDad** » Tue Dec 15, 2020 3:45 pm

First game was in August 1957 against Preston, standing in the Enclosure.
2 - 0 win for the Clarets.
Two of the greatest ever British footballers played in this game; Jimmy McIlroy and Tom Finney.

Clarets4me · Post by **Clarets4me** » Tue Dec 15, 2020 4:46 pm

I'm not a Burnley native, and my first time watching Burnley was a 3-2 defeat at West Ham early in the 1975-76 season ... the abiding memory was a gang of Doc Marten wearing skinheads walking down the back concourse at Upton Park chanting. One old boy looked at my Dad and said in a broad East-End accent, " F*****g Idiots, shaving their heads ! One day, they'll be glad to have any bleedin' hair ! " .....

One of the things I love about this Board is that your memory can be 35 years old, and you still feel like a " Johnny-come-lately " !!

claret_in_exile · Post by **claret_in_exile** » Tue Dec 15, 2020 4:49 pm

The Orient game. I was but a little lad, but I became a fan when the club was at its nadir. The long trek back up the leagues has always felt like a giant bonus to me, to be honest!

Frenchclaret · Post by **Frenchclaret** » Tue Dec 15, 2020 8:22 pm

Very early in the 1950’s I went with my mum and grandad to see us play Derby Co. We lost 0-1 but I was hooked. Up until then I was only allowed to go on the reserves with my grandad.

Steve1956 · Post by **Steve1956** » Tue Dec 15, 2020 8:26 pm

BedfordsDad wrote: ↑
Tue Dec 15, 2020 3:45 pm
First game was in August 1957 against Preston, standing in the Enclosure.
2 - 0 win for the Clarets.
Two of the greatest ever British footballers played in this game; Jimmy McIlroy and Tom Finney.

The Enclosure was that the standing bit in whats the Bob lord stand now?

CaptJohn · Post by **CaptJohn** » Wed Dec 16, 2020 1:03 pm

1st Nov 1963: Victoria Ground, Stoke. 4-4 draw. What a game! Hooked for life

CaptJohn · Post by **CaptJohn** » Wed Dec 16, 2020 1:05 pm

Steve1956 wrote: ↑
Tue Dec 15, 2020 8:26 pm
The Enclosure was that the standing bit in whats the Bob lord stand now?

I had a season ticket in the Enclosure from 1965 until it got demolished.

Quicknick · Post by **Quicknick** » Wed Dec 16, 2020 1:07 pm

joey13 wrote: ↑
Mon Dec 14, 2020 5:48 pm
Ewood Park 1970 , absolute carnage

It was the day of the 4th round of the FA Cup. We'd both been knocked out in round 3, so it was 1971.

Silkyskills1 · Post by **Silkyskills1** » Wed Dec 16, 2020 1:49 pm

CaptJohn wrote: ↑
Wed Dec 16, 2020 1:03 pm
1st Nov 1963: Victoria Ground, Stoke. 4-4 draw. What a game! Hooked for life

First game I ever saw us play in our away kit. Any away games before that were at B'burn, Bolton, Preston, Blackpool.

Silkyskills1 · Post by **Silkyskills1** » Wed Dec 16, 2020 1:54 pm

huw.Y.WattfromWare wrote: ↑
Tue Dec 15, 2020 2:51 pm
It was the shop on Shute, Silky. Me Nan lived on Hillside Rd.

Cheers for that. We lived just off Bury Rd. near the church. Many of my mates lived in Longshoot and the first competitive football as 12 year olds we played we called ourselves Longshoot Wanderers.

joey13 · Post by **joey13** » Wed Dec 16, 2020 5:13 pm

Quicknick wrote: ↑
Wed Dec 16, 2020 1:07 pm
It was the day of the 4th round of the FA Cup. We'd both been knocked out in round 3, so it was 1971.

My brother who took me said it would be a friendly

Jimjan · Post by **Jimjan** » Thu Dec 17, 2020 2:19 pm

In the late sixties we played Liverpool in a night match. The old Cricket Field end had been taken over by Liverpool fans well before the Kick off. Me and my mate walked under the stand through the concourse in order to get to the Longside where the Burnley fans were assembled en masse. All we heard was a what sounded like a stampede, when we got to the other end and appeared at the Longside area , the Burnley fans had charged and removed the scousers who were pouring down into the concourse. This seemed to happen a lot with no actual fighting occurring just young lads posturing. The bad stuff started happening later in the seventies