Stoke and Burnley connection

[ebby]

Many older BFC fans will also be aware of the friendly connection the two towns had for many years through Michelin Tyres. I remember as an ex Michelin apprentice at both Stoke and Burnley the many associations and events that took place between the two factories. Stoke, being the main UK factory had a large relationship with Burnley, who made truck tyres and wheels. Two large trucks full of product used to arrive every evening from Stoke. One year runners from the Burnley factory even ran a relay race all the way to Stoke. The only thing that Stoke was never able to put over Burnley was in football, where out factory players were second to none out of all the UK Michelin factories. Most of these players had long and distinguished careers in the local leagues.

[CleggHall]

The biggest connection for older Clarets is Jimmy McIlroy!

[BurnleyPaul]

Also Vince Overson too.

Without getting too much into ‘six degrees of separation’ territory it is possible to link both Vince Overson and Sean Dyche too as not only do they both come from Kettering but they attended the same secondary school (Henry Gotch/Ise Community College/Kettering Science Academy).

Vince’s nephew also attended the same school when I was teaching there- one of the geography teachers was a massive Stoke fan and he actually got the nephew to get a signed photo of Vince as he was his childhood hero…

[Carwin261]

Pietersen (?) ,Bardsley ,Crouch,Elder,Walters,Vokes,the list is endless.

[claptrappers_union]

There was a bit of a rivalry during the ClaretsMad days between us an Stjoke. We had a few Stoke fans contributing at the time.

Particularly with the Ade Akibiyi and GNW partnership, they did t have much love for James O’Connor. They hated Cotterill too.

[Devils_Advocate]

I dont think Stoke fans have ever forgiven us for taking Jon Walter off them. When you think of Burnley legends such as Jimmy McIlroy, Ralph Coates, Leighton James, Paul Comstive etc then this how they regard Jon Walters, the player they call the GOAT

[claptrappers_union]

Walters was unlucky with us.

[Devils_Advocate]

Walters was unlucky with us.

Unbelievably so. If it wasnt for his bad luck with injuries I think he would have gone on to be one of our all time greatest players

[KRBFC]

Pietersen (?) ,Bardsley ,Crouch,Elder,Walters,Vokes,the list is endless.

Akinbiyi, Gifton, Wayne Thomas, Leon Cort, Andy Cooke, Iwelumo, Kightly, Michael Ricketts

[COBBLE]

Did Bernard Williams ex St Ted's play for Burnley Michelin?

[wrj20]

Surely the biggest connection between Stoke and Burnley is Tony Scholes...

Though quite why CT needs to waste his time running a small town team in the Potteries is beyond me.

[tiger76]

Wayne Biggins and Ally Pickering are another couple who connect the clubs.

[FCBurnley]

I dont think Stoke fans have ever forgiven us for taking Jon Walter off them. When you think of Burnley legends such as Jimmy McIlroy, Ralph Coates, Leighton James, Paul Comstive etc then this how they regard Jon Walters, the player they call the GOAT

Poor cast but you did catch a tiddler

[FCBurnley]

Many older BFC fans will also be aware of the friendly connection the two towns had for many years through Michelin Tyres. I remember as an ex Michelin apprentice at both Stoke and Burnley the many associations and events that took place between the two factories. Stoke, being the main UK factory had a large relationship with Burnley, who made truck tyres and wheels. Two large trucks full of product used to arrive every evening from Stoke. One year runners from the Burnley factory even ran a relay race all the way to Stoke. The only thing that Stoke was never able to put over Burnley was in football, where out factory players were second to none out of all the UK Michelin factories. Most of these players had long and distinguished careers in the local leagues.

Are you the original Michelin Man lol. Where was the factory in Burnley ?

[Buxtonclaret]

Wayne Biggins and Ally Pickering are another couple who connect the clubs.

Both ex Buxton players.

We've swapped players all through my time watching footy.
They had a bloody good deal with Jimmy Mac though.

[tiger76]

Both ex Buxton players.

We've swapped players all through my time watching footy.
They had a bloody good deal with Jimmy Mac though.

The Jimmy Mac episode was well before my time, however I'm well aware it still rankles with our veteran fans who were around to witness it.

Imagine if UTC has existed in 1963 that would have been fun, incredible that he went for only 25k isn't it, at a time when transfer fees were just starting to increase in value.

[Buxtonclaret]

The Jimmy Mac episode was well before my time, however I'm well aware it still rankles with our veteran fans who were around to witness it.

Imagine if UTC has existed in 1963 that would have been fun, incredible that he went for only 25k isn't it, at a time when transfer fees were just starting to increase in value.

It would have gone bonkers!

Incidentally, my Dad was one of those that refused to go on the Turf after Lord sold Mac.
He relented, but it was '65 until my first game in Burnley.

[tiger76]

It would have gone bonkers!

Incidentally, my Dad was one of those that refused to go on the Turf after Lord sold Mac.
He relented, but it was '65 until my first game in Burnley.

And that was in the days when bums on seats mattered greatly for a clubs revenue stream, though given how hard nosed Bob Lord apparently was I doubt he'd have bothered unduly,

[basil6345789]

Amphetamine supplies in The 60's

[EarbyClaret]

Haven't seen mentioned yet a couple of high calibre right backs Alex Elder and Lee Dixon

[Browntuba]

Are you the original Michelin Man lol. Where was the factory in Burnley ?
[/quote]

Michelin was at the end of Bancroft road, Heasandford Industrial estate off Eastern Avenue. Worked there from late eighties to its closure in 2002. Good place to work, good wages own sports club and excellent social sections, squash, snooker, football, golf.

[Aclaret]

Dave Burnley

[boatshed bill]

Nathan Collins seems to have been quickly forgotten.

[jedi_master]

Ally Pickering

[Nonayforever]

Nathan Collins seems to have been quickly forgotten.

Who ?

[Royboyclaret]

Haven't seen mentioned yet a couple of high calibre right backs Alex Elder and Lee Dixon

Alex Elder ?!?!.........330 appearances for the Clarets but none of them at right-back.

[ebby]

Did Bernard Williams ex St Ted's play for Burnley Michelin?

Yes, pretty sure he did. A few of them were also offered football contracts to play for Brisbane in Australia from memory.

[Vegas Claret]

there weren't many friendly connections between us in the 90's, Stoke away was vicious !

[Quicknick]

Dave Burnley

He's from Madeley, near Keele University. A fair bit out of Stoke. When I was in my last year as a student, I lived in the house that Dave was born in.

[Clive 1960]

Are you the original Michelin Man lol. Where was the factory in Burnley ?
[/quote

Bancroft rd .

[Clive 1960]

Are you the original Michelin Man lol. Where was the factory in Burnley ?

Michelin was at the end of Bancroft road, Heasandford Industrial estate off Eastern Avenue. Worked there from late eighties to its closure in 2002. Good place to work, good wages own sports club and excellent social sections, squash, snooker, football, golf.
[/quote]

Bloody hard graft and long hours but money was good