Steve Davis MKII

[superdimitri]

I know some haven't forgiven him but I was just thinking what a fantastic player he was for us. I always felt he was a class above the rest.

I remember him also being very enjoyable to watch. He carried the ball well and even went on forward runs.

To cap it off he had an outstanding goalscoring record for a centre half scoring over 20 for us in two different spells.

Are there any players nowadays similar to him? Will we ever see another centre half with a goalscoring record like his?
Do you think he could have made it at a higher level?

Shame that players like him (and laws) have tarnished their reputation. He's not doing too badly nowadays being head scout for fleetwood.

[Bordeauxclaret]

Far too good for the bottom two divisions.

The excitement when he came back for the second time was very rare to see.

[Stevie Morgan]

My favourite player growing up. Ecstatic when we bought him back. Very talented player and I think at his peak he could have played top flight. I remember a genius chip running away from goal which hit the bar in wright's debut.

[RammyClaret61]

Hard to believe Luton was as good as it got for him.

[warksclaret]

At his prime a great centre half, and very commanding. For me some likenesses with Ben Mee. The only real thing lacking in both players being pace

[BenWickes]

I remember watching him on his debut for us. It'd been a long time since I'd seen a Burnley player ping an inch perfect pass to feet from 70 yards away. He was way too good for that division but was a delight to watch. Calm, composed and was thrilled we signed him permanently.

[Quickenthetempo]

Superb player for us and with 43 goals for the club, will be higher than a lot of our strikers on a club goalscorers list.

[wilks_bfc]

I know some haven't forgiven him but I was just thinking what a fantastic player he was for us. I always felt he was a class above the rest.

I remember him also being very enjoyable to watch. He carried the ball well and even went on forward runs.

To cap it off he had an outstanding goalscoring record for a centre half scoring over 20 for us in two different spells.

Are there any players nowadays similar to him? Will we ever see another centre half with a goalscoring record like his?
Do you think he could have made it at a higher level?

Shame that players like him (and laws) have tarnished their reputation. He's not doing too badly nowadays being head scout for fleetwood.

Craig Dawson doesn’t seem to have a bad goal scoring record for a centre back

[Ptangyangkipperbang]

Didn't Spurs enquire about him and Stan didn't tell him ?. He was the one I was most mad about leaving when Coyle went because he was such a stalwart for us and do believe he would have had a job with us for a long time.The way he cheered that night when Bolton scored was unforgivable but you can't take away his service as a player with us

[Steve-Harpers-perm]

Fantastic player and servant for us. If only he’d finished off that run at Wembley with a goal. Can’t believe some still haven’t got over the ‘fist pump celebration’ at Bolton.

[Boss Hogg]

Great player for us at that level and think he could have played at a higher level. Will always remember his face walking to the dugout with Coyle on their return. He was visibly shocked and I don’t think he realised what it meant to fans.

[Clarets4me]

Didn't Spurs enquire about him and Stan didn't tell him ?

I believe the story was that Stan was speaking to Spur's Chief Scout, who mentioned they were looking at him at Luton, " Nah, he's a yard and a half too slow for you ", was Stan's verdict, and then promptly signed him for us ... To be fair, I think Stan was probably right ...

[Quickenthetempo]

Didn't Spurs enquire about him and Stan didn't tell him ?. He was the one I was most mad about leaving when Coyle went because he was such a stalwart for us and do believe he would have had a job with us for a long time.The way he cheered that night when Bolton scored was unforgivable but you can't take away his service as a player with us

I think the fist pump was for all the abuse he had received.

Plus trying to win over his new set of fans.

[BurnleyFC]

A brilliant player for us and always speaks very highly of the club and the fans.

[TsarBomba]

Probably in my top three favourite players growing up.

Sad how it ended, but there was no guarantee he would’ve still had a role at BFC with a new manager coming in.

With a family and mouths to feed, he did what we would all do.

The running fist pump was ill judged, but we as fans didn’t half go overboard in the years afterwards with the vitriol aimed at both him and Coyle.

[Burnley1989]

Top player, until recently would have been in my Burnley all time 11

I was mad about the Bolton crap but I got over that a long time ago.

He’s married to one of my mates family members, cracking bloke with loads of time for Burnley fans by all accounts.

[superdimitri]

Craig Dawson doesn’t seem to have a bad goal scoring record for a centre back

I did think of him when making the post. Dawson hasn't scored quite as many but at a better level at a time when it's probably harder to score too.

I'm actually a little surprised that our centre halves now don't score much. We've had very good ones in recent years but none with maybe the exception of Keane seem good attacking the ball.

I hoped we signed Dawson in part because I thought he'd be able to score for us.

[bfcjg]

Great player, didn't Barry Kilby fund the transfer ?

[Dark Cloud]

A brilliant player for us and such a shame it all ended so acrimoniously. A decent goalscorer too as well as great defender and excellent carrying the ball forward. I remember him hitting a belter of a shot from distance at Walsall in the Div 4 Championship season which I THINK was narrowly saved and Lancashire scored on the rebound as we came back late from 2 down, but the one which always sticks in my memory was the '94 play off final when he ran the length of the field and dribbled several Stockport players only to so unluckily scuff his shot when he had the goalie committed and the goal at his mercy. It would have been brilliant.

[claret_in_exile]

1.0 was my favourite player until we sold him to Barnsley. As a young lad, I was most puzzled when we got ANOTHER one (on loan initially) - but it didn't stop me getting his signature on my matchday programme when he made his debut.

2.0 became my favourite player until Glen Little hit his peak. A real shame he will forever be tainted by siding with Judas.

[BenWickes]

1.0 was my favourite player until we sold him to Barnsley. As a young lad, I was most puzzled when we got ANOTHER one (on loan initially) - but it didn't stop me getting his signature on my matchday programme when he made his debut.

2.0 became my favourite player until Glen Little hit his peak. A real shame he will forever be tainted by siding with Judas.

Was a bit gutted when we sold Davis MK1 to Barnsley. Not doubting his Linkedin page where he says he helped them gain promotion to the Premier League but can't find if he ever played in it.
He certainly was good enough for a higher level than division 4 but wasn't aware he was there when they reached the top.

[Devils_Advocate]

Was a bit gutted when we sold Davis MK1 to Barnsley. Not doubting his Linkedin page where he says he helped them gain promotion to the Premier League but can't find if he ever played in it.
He certainly was good enough for a higher level than division 4 but wasn't aware he was there when they reached the top.

He played 24 league games the season they won promotion to the Premier League. It was his final season playing for Barnsley

[BenWickes]

He played 24 league games the season they won promotion to the Premier League. It was his final season playing for Barnsley

Cheers DA. He got himself to a decent level. Fair play.

[Quicknick]

A very good player for us but would have been way out of his depth in the top flight.

[Vegas Claret]

he was great for us but if I'm choosing a squad of 40 players who I adored I doubt he would be in it

[superdimitri]

he was great for us but if I'm choosing a squad of 40 players who I adored I doubt he would be in it

Likely down to recent and past stints in the top division?

Maybe Stan was right and he was too slow. Still though in an alternate history it would have been interesting to see how he would have done in the top league.

I personally believe some players are just good enough. Especially back in those days where fitness wasn't a big part of the game like today. Of course most are lower league players for a reason but there's always the odd exception.

[RalphCoatesComb]

Can’t believe some still haven’t got over the ‘fist pump celebration’ at Bolton.

Most players keep their emotions to themselves when that kind of thing happens. He could have showed some class and just sat on his hands. He didn't and that's why some can't forgive him

[Quickenthetempo]

In the cup matches against Premier league sides, I can't ever remember thinking Steve Davis was too slow.

But then again Robbie Blake terrorised premier league sides in cup matches and never got a proper do in the Premier league.

[ecc]

Was up in Burnley the day we signed him again. We also got Graham Branch at the same time. Saw their first game against Walsall. Whilst we paid too much for SD it was very much a statement of intent by Mr Kilby.

[Quickenthetempo]

Was up in Burnley the day we signed him again. We also got Graham Branch at the same time. Saw their first game against Walsall. Whilst we paid too much for SD it was very much a statement of intent by Mr Kilby.

We sold him to Luton for 750k and bought him back for 50k more after gaining experience at the league above.

Rumours at the time were Luton couldn't afford the payments so we got him back, but I since learned that Kilby bought him.

[tim_noone]

I know some haven't forgiven him but I was just thinking what a fantastic player he was for us. I always felt he was a class above the rest.

I remember him also being very enjoyable to watch. He carried the ball well and even went on forward runs.

To cap it off he had an outstanding goalscoring record for a centre half scoring over 20 for us in two different spells.

Are there any players nowadays similar to him? Will we ever see another centre half with a goalscoring record like his?
Do you think he could have made it at a higher level?

Shame that players like him (and laws) have tarnished their reputation. He's not doing too badly nowadays being head scout for fleetwood.

Laws didnt tarnish his reputation for me.....he was hung out to dry simple as. Very disappointed with SD. As hed become part of the fabric of what Burnley fc is About. I'm sure he regrets moving sideways but Coyle could charm the birds from the Trees. He had us all in the palm of his hands tbh. I would welcome them all back.

[TheFamilyCat]

he was great for us but if I'm choosing a squad of 40 players who I adored I doubt he would be in it

If I was picking a best Burnley XI in relative to the level they played at for us he'd be an absolute shoo-in.

[ClaretTony]

I know some haven't forgiven him but I was just thinking what a fantastic player he was for us. I always felt he was a class above the rest.

I remember him also being very enjoyable to watch. He carried the ball well and even went on forward runs.

To cap it off he had an outstanding goalscoring record for a centre half scoring over 20 for us in two different spells.

Are there any players nowadays similar to him? Will we ever see another centre half with a goalscoring record like his?
Do you think he could have made it at a higher level?

Shame that players like him (and laws) have tarnished their reputation. He's not doing too badly nowadays being head scout for fleetwood.

He left Fleetwood almost two years ago. He works for Everton.

[ClaretTony]

Was a bit gutted when we sold Davis MK1 to Barnsley. Not doubting his Linkedin page where he says he helped them gain promotion to the Premier League but can't find if he ever played in it.
He certainly was good enough for a higher level than division 4 but wasn't aware he was there when they reached the top.

He was 33 I think when Barnsley went up and interestingly his first game after promotion was for York (on loan) against us and he scored their equaliser. He was also in the Oxford team we beat 3-2 on the Turf in the last game of the 20th century.

[ClaretTony]

Great player, didn't Barry Kilby fund the transfer ?

He did - funded a good few signings when he first came in - Crichton, Pickering, Davis, Branch, Mellon & Johnrose within about a month

[SouthLondonexile]

I would hope there would be a place here at Burnley FC, at some time in the future. However sometimes in football as you make your bed so you must lie on it.
Steve Davis may also believe he did not make a bad career move in leaving Burnley for Bolton.

[bfcjg]

He did - funded a good few signings when he first came in - Crichton, Pickering, Davis, Branch, Mellon & Johnrose within about a month

I genuinely hope that what Barry Kilby did for us is properly honoured when the time is right and I dont mean naming a lounge or food bar after him. Forget Coyle and Dyche we are in the Prem due to the salvage job, foundations then rebuilding of our great club funded then driven by Barry Kilby.

[ClaretTony]

I genuinely hope that what Barry Kilby did for us is properly honoured when the time is right and I dont mean naming a lounge or food bar after him. Forget Coyle and Dyche we are in the Prem due to the salvage job, foundations then rebuilding of our great club funded then driven by Barry Kilby.

I’ve got a lot of time for Barry. I got to know him well early in his time as Burnley chairman. He’s a Claret through and through.

[Vegas Claret]

If I was picking a best Burnley XI in relative to the level they played at for us he'd be an absolute shoo-in.

agree, but that's a different thing. I was amazed as others have stated that his peak was Luton !

[superdimitri]

He left Fleetwood almost two years ago. He works for Everton.

Even better then. Wikipedia needs updating. He's obviously a smart chap otherwise he wouldn't land a role like that.

[claretblue]

10 years ahead of our players!

[ClaretTony]

Even better then. Wikipedia needs updating. He's obviously a smart chap otherwise he wouldn't land a role like that.

I think he probably got that job because of his links with David Unsworth and Jamie Hoyland who are both at Everton

[superdimitri]

I think he probably got that job because of his links with David Unsworth and Jamie Hoyland who are both at Everton

I take it you aren't a fan Tony?

[ClaretTony]

I take it you aren't a fan Tony?

No, was just pointing out that he went to work alongside people he’d been at Burnley with.

[Spike]

A very very good player but hard to separate Bolton from the rest of his career

[bobinho]

I genuinely hope that what Barry Kilby did for us is properly honoured when the time is right and I dont mean naming a lounge or food bar after him. Forget Coyle and Dyche we are in the Prem due to the salvage job, foundations then rebuilding of our great club funded then driven by Barry Kilby.

Good players come and go and we enjoy them for a short time, but they are just players, they have no affinity for our club even if we think they should have.

Good managers also come and go, along with the bad ones.

They mean nothing tho compared to chairmen who see their club through what BK saw us through.

More than any player, more than any manager, he’s the BEST thing that has happened to Burnley in my 55 years on the planet. But what will be his legacy? BK the man who steered the ship and put us back on course to being a top flight club once again? Or BK the man who saved many men’s lives by pushing us all to get checked for Prostate cancer?

Either way, top top man.

[boatshed bill]

I remember the day Stan signed him, thinking the club really meant business.
A fine player in our promotion season, and into the Championship.

[Steve-Harpers-perm]

Most players keep their emotions to themselves when that kind of thing happens. He could have showed some class and just sat on his hands. He didn't and that's why some can't forgive him

Pretty sad grown men holding a grudge like this for so long!

[SlidingTackle]

Apparently he was scouted by the famous scout Jack Hixon, being that he was from the NE of England. I remember an interview with Jack Hixon on Radio 5 years ago in which he was asked were there any players he scouted who he was surprised hadn't gone on to bigger things. He responded 'Steve Davis' straight away.

My mate StAlbansClaret and I saw him outside Anfield as we were looking at the Shankly Gates before the Liverpool v. Burnley FA Cup game in early 1997. He was at Luton Town at the time but he was at our game, presumably supporting us. He said hello to us.

Always thought he was a class above; analogous with watching Trevor Steven playing for us.

[box_of_frogs]

Pretty sad grown men holding a grudge like this for so long!

Probably the same ones who’ll moan at Danny Ings’ celebration today.