Memories of Brian Flynn

Walesfan1978 · Post by **Walesfan1978** » Thu Mar 02, 2017 4:56 pm

Hi.

Wales and Wrexham fan here. I come in peace and all that (maybe this isn't the best place to let slip that my Dad's a PNE fan though...whoops)

Anyway, I'm currently working on a book about Brian Flynn for which the starting point is how last summer's Wales success at the Euros was to a large extent down to the groundwork that he put in as under 21/19/17 manager between 2005 and 2012. The book will also look at his playing career of course.

So I just wondered what memories some of the more ..er 'mature' posters on here have of watching Brian play for Burnley?

Thanks in advance.

claretblue · Post by **claretblue** » Thu Mar 02, 2017 5:06 pm

my first sighting of Flynn was at John Angus testimonial May 1973.

Great night with Burnley Millionaires team (all players sold by the Clarets) verses promoted 1st team.

The warm-up game was team of veterans v youth team over 16,000 attendance!

Finney, Mcllroy etc verses Brian Flynn and other youths.

Brian nut-megged Adamson during the game and Jimmy picked Flynn up and deposted him behind him - then got on with the match!

great memory...one of many that Brian provided as a great servant of Burnley FC!

he also played very well for Weeds Utd....but we don't ever mention them!

Burnley Ace · Post by **Burnley Ace** » Thu Mar 02, 2017 5:07 pm

I often see him in town!

ClaretTony · Post by **ClaretTony** » Thu Mar 02, 2017 5:13 pm

Working for Swansea now

South West Claret. · Post by **South West Claret.** » Thu Mar 02, 2017 5:26 pm

Never did get a job at Burnley after his playing days were over did he?

Sean Dyche's Watch · Post by **Sean Dyche's Watch** » Thu Mar 02, 2017 5:54 pm

I've only seen Brian Flynn three times - each time on the travelator in Tesco in Burnley.

andysisson · Post by **andysisson** » Thu Mar 02, 2017 5:59 pm

I live next door to Brian
Im too young to remember his playing days but can say he is one of the nicest people you will meet.

Wilsdenclaret · Post by **Wilsdenclaret** » Thu Mar 02, 2017 6:25 pm

I was the first person to ask him for his autograph so he told me................as a player made Dave Jones look positive in the forward passing department, my late dad called him the headless chicken. Nice bloke though and shorter than me which not many are

Zom Zom · Post by **Zom Zom** » Thu Mar 02, 2017 6:34 pm

Sean Dyche's Watch wrote:I've only seen Brian Flynn three times - each time on the travelator in Tesco in Burnley.

I see him on the travelator in Tesco regular too! Do you think they hired him to go up and down all day on it? Maybe thats what he does on his day off from the Liberty Stadium?

I saw him once at Gordon Rigg's in Walsden too, just before Christmas about three years ago.

Zom Zom · Post by **Zom Zom** » Thu Mar 02, 2017 6:35 pm

Wilsdenclaret wrote:I was the first person to ask him for his autograph so he told me................as a player made Dave Jones look positive in the forward passing department, my late dad called him the headless chicken. Nice bloke though and shorter than me which not many are

Is he shorter than Jeff Stelling though? That's the modern yardstick I'm told.

Wilsdenclaret · Post by **Wilsdenclaret** » Thu Mar 02, 2017 6:37 pm

Zom Zom wrote:Is he shorter than Jeff Stelling though? That's the modern yardstick I'm told.

Think Flynny 5ft 4, not sure on the Stelling

MattBFC · Post by **MattBFC** » Thu Mar 02, 2017 6:52 pm

In my student days I worked on the checkout at Asda in Burnley. I remember serving Brian on the Sunday morning the day after his Wrexham team had got a result against Gillingham (and we'd won at Scunthorpe) meaning we were promoted to what is now the championship.

Unfortunately I didn't really have the brass at that time to pay for his case of beer. Sorry Brian.

Claretforever · Post by **Claretforever** » Thu Mar 02, 2017 7:08 pm

Sean Dyche's Watch wrote:I've only seen Brian Flynn three times - each time on the travelator in Tesco in Burnley.

I saw him about 18 months ago on the escalator in Tesco too!

had a brief chat and he was scouting for Everton he told me. Nice bloke.

J50 · Post by **J50** » Thu Mar 02, 2017 7:52 pm

When I was 11 the school won a football trophy for the first time ever (Coal Clough Juniors). We won the 7 and 5 a side leagues and second in the 11 a side (I think). The school got Flynn to come and present a little trophy to each of us in the team and I still have the newspaper cutting and photo.

I remember that I was taller than Flynn already and so the photo was taken with him in the foreground so we appeared not as tall as him

Jimbob · Post by **Jimbob** » Thu Mar 02, 2017 7:52 pm

When he was at Burnley he lived on brunshaw avenue we as excited kids used to knock on his door for his autograph Must have gone every week while he was playing for the clarets ...Btw he never ever didn't sign our school books top top guy !!

bfcjg · Post by **bfcjg** » Thu Mar 02, 2017 7:54 pm

Great player,mobile,aggresive and could a pass out. Linked defence and midfield very well. Still one of my favourite chants was singing mighty Flynn to the mighty Quinn song.

Siddo · Post by **Siddo** » Thu Mar 02, 2017 7:57 pm

Spent a few hours in his company when he first came to Burnley. I think it was mainly because Liz Oddie was in our group and he had his eyes on her. He later married her. I can remember that his friend at the time was a burnley apprentice called Ian Lewis. Ian was a good lad, and his main hobby seemed to be helping us wind up the park rangers in Thompson Park.

Brian was friendly but I never saw him to speak again after those few meetings.

Jimbob · Post by **Jimbob** » Thu Mar 02, 2017 7:58 pm

When he was manager of Wrexham last game of season you played Gil!Ingham ..We were at Scunthorpe away we needed to win and Wrexham to win we won 2-1 Wrexham won 1-0 Stan was our manager Brian Flynn I loved you for that !! We got promotion thank you

Dark Cloud · Post by **Dark Cloud** » Thu Mar 02, 2017 8:14 pm

After he finished playing (or was still dabbling part time) and before he became a manager, he had a spell working for BFC in the community and he came to the place I was working on a weekly basis. What a lovely chap! Down to Earth, great to chat to, intelligent and loads of knowledge about the game. Top bloke!

kilmalley · Post by **kilmalley** » Thu Mar 02, 2017 8:26 pm

Zom Zom wrote:I see him on the travelator in Tesco regular too! Do you think they hired him to go up and down all day on it? Maybe thats what he does on his day off from the Liberty Stadium?

I saw him once at Gordon Rigg's in Walsden too, just before Christmas about three years ago.

I once worked in Walsden in the factory that was known as "Bottoms Mill" when it was a cotton mill, long before it became a garden centre.
At that time Brian Flynn was the "whizz kid" of the league with his energy and movement in Burnley's midfield. There were subsequent "bigger" names than him in many more ways but what a warrior he was in his early playing period for the Clarets.
Never met him but always followed his football carrer and was delighted he did his bit for Wales.

minnieclaret · Post by **minnieclaret** » Thu Mar 02, 2017 8:57 pm

Football wise who can ever forget his goal against Scotland?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rpRMW-4ch2Q" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

and I can remember him facing our goal, around the pen spot, and flicking the ball over his own head, spinning and carrying it away to safety.
Leaving the guy closing him down flummoxed as to where he'd gone.
Special player. Shame he had to go to balance the books.

South West Claret. · Post by **South West Claret.** » Thu Mar 02, 2017 9:21 pm

I haven't seen that superb goal of Flynnys for ages, thanks Minnie.

Nearly forgot I also saw him in Tescos once

Bop · Post by **Bop** » Thu Mar 02, 2017 9:46 pm

Last bumped into him when he was stood outside The Turf, he was smoking a cigar that was bigger than him.

basil6345789 · Post by **basil6345789** » Thu Mar 02, 2017 10:04 pm

Have posted this one before - my wife once rescued him from a chest freezer in the original Spar shop at Pike Hill.

Elizabeth · Post by **Elizabeth** » Thu Mar 02, 2017 10:09 pm

Alf always used to call him Ronnie Corbett's half brother

Baliclaret · Post by **Baliclaret** » Fri Mar 03, 2017 11:55 am

Once worked with his wife, Liz, and was invited to join them for the weekend Wales played England at Ninian Park . Brian was in the Welsh side. Stayed at the Wales team hotel and sat amongst Brian's family at the game. Great hospitality which made it more difficult to celebrate an England 1-0 win !
Sunday morning throwing frisbies on Port Talbot beach. Yes there is one ! Can't imagine today's superstars doing that.
If you read this, Brian, I still have your Max Boyce records and you had my Bob Newhart's !

bob-the-scutter · Post by **bob-the-scutter** » Fri Mar 03, 2017 12:12 pm

andysisson wrote:I live next door to Brian
Im too young to remember his playing days but can say he is one of the nicest people you will meet.

Is he still on LP?

bob-the-scutter · Post by **bob-the-scutter** » Fri Mar 03, 2017 12:15 pm

Siddo wrote:Spent a few hours in his company when he first came to Burnley. I think it was mainly because Liz Oddie was in our group and he had his eyes on her. He later married her. I can remember that his friend at the time was a burnley apprentice called Ian Lewis. Ian was a good lad, and his main hobby seemed to be helping us wind up the park rangers in Thompson Park.

Brian was friendly but I never saw him to speak again after those few meetings.

You were one of our lot if you knew Liz & Pat Oddie!...........are you also on Soulsource by any chance?

bob-the-scutter · Post by **bob-the-scutter** » Fri Mar 03, 2017 12:34 pm

He was about 16 when he was apprentice at Burnley, living with Maisie Locker (It was in fact Dora Whitfield) I think, who had a house just off Oxford road, she was one of the ladies who housed and looked after the youngsters while they were away from home attempting to break into the world of professional football. Can`t remember who got to know him at 1st but probably one of the lasses who hung around with us teenagers in the town centre. Obviously playing for Burnley even at that age the girls were a little smitten but he was a really good lad although quiet and very easy to like and get on with, you won`t hear a bad word against him and we were all proud when he broke into the 1st team. Didn`t take long before Liz & Brian were an item and have been ever since although I`ve not seen Liz since about 1975 I have seen Brian a few times. I worked out last night the last time I saw him was at Manchester airport, mid to late 80s. I was seeing my son off to visit his mother in Luxembourg (Long story) and he spotted Joey Jones and a few more of either the Welsh or Wrexham squad. I think Brian was manager or coach at the time. I saw Brian and we had a natter and a catch up until departure time. As far as I know he still lives in the same house he`s lived in for years.

Hipper · Post by **Hipper** » Fri Mar 03, 2017 12:49 pm

In his second spell at the club under John Bond in the then Third Division, he was a big part of the exciting first part to that season. He was in a rich goal scoring vein (I think his most successful) but as a result of the injury to Kevin Reeves, it all fell to pieces.

Walesfan1978 · Post by **Walesfan1978** » Fri Mar 03, 2017 3:05 pm

Many thanks for some brilliant responses. Come them coming!

I should be meeting Brian for a little chat next week. Baliclaret - I'll ask if he's still got your Bob Newhart records.

andysisson · Post by **andysisson** » Fri Mar 03, 2017 3:42 pm

bob-the-scutter wrote:Is he still on LP?

No not anymore,
On the next estate over if you will,
He has lived their all of my life, and im 26.

Grimsby Claret · Post by **Grimsby Claret** » Fri Mar 03, 2017 4:59 pm

Singing his song in the Longside
"Come on without, come on within, you'll not see nothing like the mighty Flynn"

bob-the-scutter · Post by **bob-the-scutter** » Fri Mar 03, 2017 5:06 pm

Walesfan1978 wrote:Many thanks for some brilliant responses. Come them coming!

I should be meeting Brian for a little chat next week. Baliclaret - I'll ask if he's still got your Bob Newhart records.

Tell him Laney says hi to both him and Lizzie!

roamingclaret · Post by **roamingclaret** » Fri Mar 03, 2017 5:52 pm

Grimsby Claret wrote:Singing his song in the Longside
"Come on without, come on within, you'll not see nothing like the mighty Flynn"

Yes, I well remember that.
Also, in 1976, as a 22 year old, I was going through a bad patch & suffering from some kind of stress related depression. My father, concerned for me, rang my Uncle & asked if he'd pick me up on his way to the Turf to see us play Sheff.Utd. During the match, Brian hit a grest 25 yard shot into the top corner. Unbelievably, 10 mins.later he did the same again & we won 3-1.
Those 2 goals cheered me up no end & played a big part in my rapid recovery thereafter.
I've often felt like thanking Brian as, for me, they are probably the 2 most important goals in 53 years of following the Clarets.
UTC & The Mighty Flynn!

Reb · Post by **Reb** » Fri Mar 03, 2017 6:38 pm

Flynny was my first ever "favourite claret" and I cried when we sold him to Leeds, I told my Dad that maybe I would support Leeds instead of Burnley ( I was about 11 at the time) and he very seriously said to me "that will never be allowed to happen in this house", and I knew he meant it. I met Brian a few times over the years - the last time was sadly at my Dad's funeral 9 years ago - always such a charming, genuine man, tell him hello from Rebekah Jackson.

BFC Gold · Post by **BFC Gold** » Fri Mar 03, 2017 6:53 pm

roamingclaret wrote:Yes, I well remember that.
Also, in 1976, as a 22 year old, I was going through a bad patch & suffering from some kind of stress related depression. My father, concerned for me, rang my Uncle & asked if he'd pick me up on his way to the Turf to see us play Sheff.Utd. During the match, Brian hit a grest 25 yard shot into the top corner. Unbelievably, 10 mins.later he did the same again & we won 3-1.
Those 2 goals cheered me up no end & played a big part in my rapid recovery thereafter.
I've often felt like thanking Brian as, for me, they are probably the 2 most important goals in 53 years of following the Clarets.
UTC & The Mighty Flynn!

I remember the game very well as it was played in the snow with an orange ball. Quite a depressing season all round actually, which ultimately resulted in our relegation and 33 year exile from the top division.
I met Brian only the once when my friend was on a footballing course at Turf Moor in the mid 80s, when he was his boss. He came across as a superb bloke who seemed to treat everyone with great respect no matter who they were, a really genuine and decent guy and one of my personal heroes growing up in the 70s.

Quickenthetempo · Post by **Quickenthetempo** » Fri Mar 03, 2017 7:00 pm

I never seen him play but what receptions he has got on his return as opposition manager.

Claret&Green · Post by **Claret&Green** » Fri Mar 03, 2017 7:20 pm

Can't remember the year, but I seem to recall seeing him out jump Joe Jordan to a header.

Siddo · Post by **Siddo** » Fri Mar 03, 2017 7:47 pm

bob-the-scutter wrote:You were one of our lot if you knew Liz & Pat Oddie!...........are you also on Soulsource by any chance?

Well worked out. SGL I presume?

How good were those days? The start of the northern soul scene, all those magnificent records that Tony Jebb played at the Rare Soul Night on Tuesday nights, Kev McCaffrey always telling us wild tales, stopping at the Hasty Tasty as we walked home with Hopper, Fuse and Aki.

Did Brian, Liz and her mate Pat go down the first few nights?

bob-the-scutter · Post by **bob-the-scutter** » Fri Mar 03, 2017 7:56 pm

Yep the start of the NS scene in Burnley more or less. And I think all of us went down the Rose Room at least on a Weds night (under 18s) Where a few of us used to get to play some of our sounds later on....Howard Willis? What happened to him?

Anyway, lets not hog the thread B!

Bfc · Post by **Bfc** » Fri Mar 03, 2017 8:01 pm

I've known Brian very well from the days when he joined Burnley. I went to watch us play at Wrexham when Brian was their manager and had taken my Clarets Collection book to see if I could get a couple of our ex players in the Wrexham team to sign it. An hour before kick off Brian stood outside the players entrance and spoke when he saw me. I mentioned having the book and wanted the ex Clarets to sign it, so I asked where would be the best to see them after the game. No problem come with me and he took me straight into their dressing room. All the team were there, preparing for the game. I was introduced to them and he asked the ex players to sign my book.
Brian is a gentleman and also one of the most genuine people anyone could wish to meet.

Diesel · Post by **Diesel** » Fri Mar 03, 2017 8:24 pm

Little 'Jack Russell' of a player, 7-8/9 every week in the players ratings.

Should have managed us back 'then'..

Siddo · Post by **Siddo** » Fri Mar 03, 2017 8:27 pm

bob-the-scutter wrote:Yep the start of the NS scene in Burnley more or less. And I think all of us went down the Rose Room at least on a Weds night (under 18s) Where a few of us used to get to play some of our sounds later on....Howard Willis? What happened to him?

Anyway, lets not hog the thread B!

Don't know where Howard is now. He moved away from Burnley, but not before I bought most of his collection. His lad used to work at Carpet Market on Accy Road.
UTC

k90bfc · Post by **k90bfc** » Fri Mar 03, 2017 8:32 pm

Jimmy Adamson once said,he was in the team to play Arsenal at Highbury,the Referee thought he was the Mascot!Great Player,Great Bloke,thought one day,he would be our Manager.

Duffer_ · Post by **Duffer_** » Fri Mar 03, 2017 9:23 pm

Only saw him for us second time around but I have really enjoyed reading everyone's stories about him. He sounds like a lovely fella. Proud to have him associated with our club.

UTC!

HatfieldClaret · Post by **HatfieldClaret** » Sat Mar 04, 2017 7:10 am

Reb wrote:Flynny was my first ever "favourite claret" and I cried when we sold him to Leeds, I told my Dad that maybe I would support Leeds instead of Burnley ( I was about 11 at the time) and he very seriously said to me "that will never be allowed to happen in this house", and I knew he meant it. I met Brian a few times over the years - the last time was sadly at my Dad's funeral 9 years ago - always such a charming, genuine man, tell him hello from Rebekah Jackson.

Reb, I don't suppose you had a relative that went to Giggleswick ? Me and a lad called Jackson hitched to Burnley in 75/76, via his elder brothers to get the match tickets.

roamingclaret · Post by **roamingclaret** » Sat Mar 04, 2017 1:40 pm

BFC Gold wrote:I remember the game very well as it was played in the snow with an orange ball. Quite a depressing season all round actually, which ultimately resulted in our relegation and 33 year exile from the top division.
I met Brian only the once when my friend was on a footballing course at Turf Moor in the mid 80s, when he was his boss. He came across as a superb bloke who seemed to treat everyone with great respect no matter who they were, a really genuine and decent guy and one of my personal heroes growing up in the 70s.

Glad you remember the match...not surprised I was depressed if we were down at the bottom

Walesfan1978 · Post by **Walesfan1978** » Wed Mar 08, 2017 12:53 am

Met Brian yesterday. Great bloke. Some brilliant stories... and not all about being paid to stand on the tesco travelator

Laney and Rebekah - he knew exactly who you were straight away and says hello back.

3putt · Post by **3putt** » Wed Mar 08, 2017 8:42 am

Wilsdenclaret wrote:I was the first person to ask him for his autograph so he told me................as a player made Dave Jones look positive in the forward passing department, my late dad called him the headless chicken. Nice bloke though and shorter than me which not many are

Must have been a different Brian Flynn.

He was an extremely good player and not at all negative as your post suggests. 0ne of Burnley's top players in the early/mid 70's. As others have said, good enough to have 7,000 or 8,000 longsiders bellowing out the "mighty Flynn" song on every home game. Not many players experience that, certainly not the negative "headless chicken" type players.

Happy days