ARTICLE: Casper at the double in pre-season opener

[ClaretTony]

First pre-season game in 1973 at Penzance

See link
https://www.uptheclarets.com/casper-at- ... son-opener

[ElectroClaret]

Always one of my favourite ever Clarets.
Certainly knew where the net was.
Incidentally I think it was 25 years ago in June that the wonderful Keith Newton passed away.

[ClaretTony]

Always one of my favourite ever Clarets.
Certainly knew where the net was.
Incidentally I think it was 25 years ago in June that the wonderful Keith Newton passed away.

He's 78 now is Frank but I was talking to his son Chris this week at Ashton and he said he's fine health wise. Terrific player for us wasn't he? Talk to Colin Waldron and Paul Fletcher and they will tell you how his injury was a major factor in us not progressing further. Waldron always says he was THE key player in the side.

Keith was 25 years ago, I referred to it in this article recently.

https://www.uptheclarets.com/home-start ... at-burnley

[ElectroClaret]

Cheers CT hadn't seen that article.
A few years ago I saw Frank in Todmorden market, was wondering if he still goes down there.

[tally]

Frank Casper is a true Burnley footballing legend

[mikeS]

Scored his first goal at Turf Moor in January 1964.

[ClaretTony]

Cheers CT hadn't seen that article.
A few years ago I saw Frank in Todmorden market, was wondering if he still goes down there.

I've not seen Frank in a while other than on the Turf for the U21 game at the end of last season when he was sat a few rows in front of me watching his grandson.

[Silkyskills1]

He's 78 now is Frank but I was talking to his son Chris this week at Ashton and he said he's fine health wise. Terrific player for us wasn't he? Talk to Colin Waldron and Paul Fletcher and they will tell you how his injury was a major factor in us not progressing further. Waldron always says he was THE key player in the side.

Keith was 25 years ago, I referred to it in this article recently.

https://www.uptheclarets.com/home-start ... at-burnley

Interesting comments from Colin Waldron and Paul.Fletcher regarding Frank's influence on the team. Never was it more aptly demonstrated than at Elland Rd. In 1974. A lot on here have referenced this game for 'the overhead goal' and Hunter's 'thuggery' but I can still.see myself stood behind the goal that day watching a display of leadership from Frank Casper that was reminiscent of Johann Cruyff in his heyday. Holding the ball up, bringing other players into play, crisp, accurate passes and the ball control of a man at the peak of his game. What a crying shame.

[NottsClaret]

Before my time, but for anyone bemoaning how the 'games gone soft'.. yes it undoubtedly has, but you also get to see players like Frank Casper playing into their 30s rather than ruined in their prime.

[Buxtonclaret]

Interesting comments from Colin Waldron and Paul.Fletcher regarding Frank's influence on the team. Never was it more aptly demonstrated than at Elland Rd. In 1974. A lot on here have referenced this game for 'the overhead goal' and Hunter's 'thuggery' but I can still.see myself stood behind the goal that day watching a display of leadership from Frank Casper that was reminiscent of Johann Cruyff in his heyday. Holding the ball up, bringing other players into play, crisp, accurate passes and the ball control of a man at the peak of his game. What a crying shame.

Ge did hold the ball up well.
Rode a lot of tough stuff doing it too. Not just at Leeds that day but, it was always a part of his game.
Class act, was Frank.

[ClaretTony]

Before my time, but for anyone bemoaning how the 'games gone soft'.. yes it undoubtedly has, but you also get to see players like Frank Casper playing into their 30s rather than ruined in their prime.

I couldn't agree more with you NottsClaret - Frank was basically kicked out of the game at 29 at a time when, even as a Burnley player, I was convinced he was going to get an England call.

Another Waldron quote on Casper - he was like a gazelle with cannons in both feet.

[Rumpelstiltskin]

He really was a wonderful player.

[Cirrus_Minor]

What a fantastic team. Great players and beautiful football aswell.

[longsidetrumpet]

My favourite Claret. A pity our younger fans never saw him play, apart from heading he had the lot as a forward, could play centrally, wide and as a 'No.10', a position in which he was often unplayable

[mikeS]

A young Frank after scoring the equaliser for Rotherham United in a 1-1 draw at Turf Moor in January 1964 in the 3rd round of the FA Cup.
Burnley went to Millmoor for the replay and won 3-2.
This photograph of a young Frank was in the Burnley Express in January 1964 with all his career ahead of him. Sorry its not a better quality photo.
One of my favourite Burnley players of all time.

young frank casper.JPG (879.51 KiB) Viewed 601 times

[tally]

If my memory serves me right he equalized for Rotherham with a terrific shot into the roof of the net (at the old cricket field stand end)

[CaptJohn]

My favourite Claret.........ever.
Wonderful balance and devasting shot with either foot.
His injury was the reason we didn't win the FA cup back in 74. He played at Hillsborough in the semi against the Geordies but clearly wasn't fit. Such a wonderful footballer.

[Stan Tastic]

My favourite Claret.........ever.
Wonderful balance and devasting shot with either foot.
His injury was the reason we didn't win the FA cup back in 74. He played at Hillsborough in the semi against the Geordies but clearly wasn't fit. Such a wonderful footballer.

Even in that game he would've scored but for a world-class save from McFaul.