ARTICLE: A special Turf Moor night to remember

[ClaretTony]

It was a Monday night in 1973 and look what happened

See link
https://www.uptheclarets.com/a-special- ... o-remember

[Stan Tastic]

Am I right in thinking a draw would've been enough to send us up CT?

[ClaretTony]

Am I right in thinking a draw would've been enough to send us up CT?

Yes, with the win at Huddersfield on the Saturday we only needed a draw given that Sunderland were the only other team who could pass us.

[Stan Tastic]

Yes, with the win at Huddersfield on the Saturday we only needed a draw given that Sunderland were the only other team who could pass us.

For some reason I was convinced on the night we needed the win and hadn't really thought about it since.

I only realised when looking at the league table in the article. Such a strange thing to find out after 48 years.

[Silkyskills1]

Some dates and games are just etched in the memory and this is definitely one of them. I'd started going on the Turf during the 58-59 season(not every game) and as I've mentioned before was blessed to have witnessed a wonderful era in the years following. I wasn't allowed to go to Maine Rd. in 1960 and despite being thrilled by Jimmy Mc and that team so many times had also never cheered that final accomplishment of winning a trophy. Knocked out of the FA Cup by Blackburn in the 6 th round, semi final defeats, cup final defeat, league Cup semi final.defeat, and European adventures that ended disappointingly.
But this was real, you could feel it, almost touch it that night.
I do remember the first goal which seemed to take an age to go in but I'd forgotten that the 2nd goal was so late in the game. Promotion to the first division after a very inauspicious start back in August at home to Carlisle Utd; others that season were winning the FA Cup and the first division title and qualifying for European football but this was our time, certainly my time and all of us that saw that game and that team knew we had some very good players that wouldn't let us down in a higher division.
As CT says though there was still plenty more left to savour; over the next 12 days we had four games to earn us the title and on a personal level I had a 21st in a week's time to 'survive'. Anyway, Oxford next on Good Friday and already booked on a coach from my home town in the Rossendale Valley. Great times.

[Quicknick]

I think this game has to rank as my biggest occasion on the Turf.

[Tribesmen]

Hummmm all i can remember is the players going around the pitch at full time and the pitch was very muddy and it may have been raining .

Hey can't remember much i must say now a few things more when i came to the Preston game but that has to wait .

[jmu1]

Have been looking forward to this article. Parents unable to go so first time trusted to use public transport from Clayton-le-Moors for a night match. Can still picture the first goal from usual spot on the bee hole end
Great description of a memorable evening

[durhamclaret]

I think this game has to rank as my biggest occasion on the Turf.

Same here, the atmosphere was incredible.

[Quicknick]

Same here, the atmosphere was incredible.

It certainly was, Stephen. I took Dixie with me. Sadly, he died about four years ago.

[durhamclaret]

[quote=durhamclaret post_id=<a href="tel:1543232">1543232</a> time=<a href="tel:1618582739">1618582739</a> user_id=482]
Same here, the atmosphere was incredible.

It certainly was, Stephen. I took Dixie with me. Sadly, he died about four years ago.
[/quote]
Sad to hear that Nick

[clansman]

HMU
You were probably on the same bus as me. Lots of Rishton clarets on the 152 that night!! And what a night and what a season. Just happened that 1973 was to be my best ever year. Burnley champs and brilliant. Rishton won worsley cup at Enfield. A levels done and passed and off to London in November to join Civil Service and lots of fun in between with butter at 14 p a pint!!!

[clansman]

Bitter not butter, but that was cheap as well!!

[Cirrus_Minor]

Fantastic night, still one of the best I remember as a Burnley supporter.

[Silkyskills1]

Bitter not butter, but that was cheap as well!!

I was a student in London 1970-73 and could get a pint in our Union bar for about 11/12p. Went into Central London in May 71 and to 'The White Bear'? in Piccadilly to begin the evening and we were shocked that a pint of Whitehead cost 19p. It didn't seem to bother us so much as the night wore on.

[Buxtonclaret]

When I checked the gate next day, couldn't help wondering how many 'Chairman' turnstiles were operating that night!

[elwaclaret]

Not surprised to hear that about Brian and the champagne, he’s been gone a few years now but I can still picture him in his little claret and blue Bene hat grinning for ear to ear. Wowoo

[ClaretTony]

Not surprised to hear that about Brian and the champagne, he’s been gone a few years now but I can still picture him in his little claret and blue Bene hat grinning for ear to ear. Wowoo

He’s been gone over thirteen and a half years now. He’d have been 73 now.

[elwaclaret]

He’s been gone over thirteen and a half years now. He’d have been 73 now.

I remember those away days to the back ends of nowhere with a great deal of fondness. Brian with his plastic bag to keep his programmes pristine whatever the weather. Standing on the ash at Halifax and the sleepers at Crewe... Maidstone United and the little Chinese girl trying to serve a coach-load of broad Burnley accents Asking for “chipbutties” y’know “chips on Warburtons” ... fun times, but hopefully never to be repeated.

[ClaretTony]

I remember those away days to the back ends of nowhere with a great deal of fondness. Brian with his plastic bag to keep his programmes pristine whatever the weather. Standing on the ash at Halifax and the sleepers at Crewe... Maidstone United and the little Chinese girl trying to serve a coach-load of broad Burnley accents Asking for “chipbutties” y’know “chips on Warburtons” ... fun times, but hopefully never to be repeated.

I started going to games with Brian when we were in the old first division and we carried on going as we slid all the way to the bottom. I just wish he'd been around to see us get back.

[joey13]

I remember going to the match , 13 at the time , but for the life of me I can’t remember who took me and of the 4 possibles who could have none of them are here for me to ask ,Mum,Dad, and 2 brothers , and that’s just made me so sad

[durhamclaret]

I remember going to the match , 13 at the time , but for the life of me I can’t remember who took me and of the 4 possibles who could have none of them are here for me to ask ,Mum,Dad, and 2 brothers , and that’s just made me so sad

That is sad joey, my thoughts are with you.

[rayzer]

Bloody hell Joey, that's heartbreaking.

[joey13]

That is sad joey, my thoughts are with you.

Don’t know why but it just hit me more than usual

[todclaret]

Another game that my dad took me to as a 9 year old. Stood at the front of the Beehole, behind the goal.
I remember Fletcher lobbing the keeper for the first goal and cat calls from the Beehole as people asked Jim Montgomery if he had any Cup Final tickets. He was to go on and write himself in to FA Cup folklore.
And the crowd seemed huge, don't think that my young eyes had ever seen so many people in one place at the same time