Has there ever been a better time to be a Claret ?

RalphCoatesComb · Post by **RalphCoatesComb** » Fri Jan 20, 2017 9:18 am

Financially sound

Playing in the best League in the World

An excellent chance of remaining in the best League in the World

The best Manager that we've had in two generations (at least)

We are down to the last 32 in the FA Cup

The training facilities have never been better

A squad of players "proud" to wear the shirt

A Board who have steered us through the murky waters of the lower divisions and managed the books properly

Rovers are on the edge of OBLIVION

No moaning fans (well, you can't have everything

)

Saxoman · Post by **Saxoman** » Fri Jan 20, 2017 9:21 am

I'm sure there has been. Actually played football in the 70s didn't yer?

Buxtonclaret · Post by **Buxtonclaret** » Fri Jan 20, 2017 9:25 am

Reckon there's a good few posting on here who recall us winning the league title.
But know what you mean, Ralphy.
It's bloody marvellous seeing us back sticking v's at the big boys again.
More remarkable given the stupid amounts of money now involved and, the way everything seems to be geared up towards them nowadays.

We've done it without an 'Uncle Jack' too.

LoveCurryPies · Post by **LoveCurryPies** » Fri Jan 20, 2017 9:30 am

You forgot we are down to the last 32 in the FA Cup. Suspect the training facilities have never been better.

CrispyClaret · Post by **CrispyClaret** » Fri Jan 20, 2017 9:33 am

I've always enjoyed being a Claret, nearly 50 years since my first live game.
Yes there has been some bad times down those years but you had to see that to really appreciate where we are now. Just looking at old league tables doesn't convey what it was like.
If I had a time machine I would love to see our 2 First Division Championship seasons, but I am not bothered about missing some of the prior and intervening seasons.
If the wheels come off and we dropped back down the leagues, there will still be pleasures to enjoy on the way.

TVC15 · Post by **TVC15** » Fri Jan 20, 2017 9:35 am

When you see our record throughout the 60s it feels like those were amazing times to be a Burnley fan and the players we had then (relative to the era) must have been the best in our history - I mean we didn't just scrape a 1-0 backs to the wall against a United side with some of the best players to grace a football field - we murdered them didn't we ?!!

However since the mid to late 60s you have to say that the situation we are in now has got to be the next best in our history - and for those of us less than 50 the best in our lifetimes.

Many of us have done a bloody tough apprenticeship in the 80s and 90s !!!

ClaretTony · Post by **ClaretTony** » Fri Jan 20, 2017 9:36 am

Buxtonclaret wrote:Reckon there's a good few posting on here who recall us winning the league title.

There are - and, if like me, loving every minute of what we are doing now. I never thought I'd see the day when we would go into the top league alone, let alone go in there and have wins against Man U, Man C and Liverpool. And I certainly never thought I'd see us in the top half of that league, not even for a week.

vinrogue · Post by **vinrogue** » Fri Jan 20, 2017 9:38 am

I for one take enormous pride in our clubs current achievements it is almost unbelievable and Roy of the Rovers stuff, but I was also a proud supporter of our club in the bad times, my granddad taught me to recite the 1914 FA Cup winning half back line when I was about 3 or 4 growing up in the 1960's. That pride of being a Burnley supporter, will live with me always no matter what. UTC

IndigoLake · Post by **IndigoLake** » Fri Jan 20, 2017 9:40 am

There hasn't been a better time while I've been alive. Really enjoying it.

Buxtonclaret · Post by **Buxtonclaret** » Fri Jan 20, 2017 9:49 am

ClaretTony wrote:There are - and, if like me, loving every minute of what we are doing now. I never thought I'd see the day when we would go into the top league alone, let alone go in there and have wins against Man U, Man C and Liverpool. And I certainly never thought I'd see us in the top half of that league, not even for a week.

Me neither. Thought those days had gone forever.
Watching us from the mid 60s, we were still a footy force, but it didn't last long.
We came back, and I still maintain we were only two, maybe three players short, of a title winning side again with that 70s side.
To come back from those awful 80s to where we are now has been a brilliant journey.
Painful at times.
But worth it.

Longside4evr · Post by **Longside4evr** » Fri Jan 20, 2017 9:57 am

There has but I never so them when we was in Europe flying the flag must have been incredible. But things where slightly on more of an even keel then than it is now with financial clout.
And that what makes this even more extraordinary,there as always been that gap with the big City clubs and us but now its enormous and for us to be sailing up the best league in the world beating the most wealthiest teams in this league just makes it all the more astonishing
The infrastructure right through to management players, board, and the tea room lady. I wouldn't change a thing its just shear amazing and long may it continue going from strength to strength

RalphCoatesComb · Post by **RalphCoatesComb** » Fri Jan 20, 2017 9:57 am

LoveCurryPies wrote:You forgot we are down to the last 32 in the FA Cup. Suspect the training facilities have never been better.

Added

ElectroClaret · Post by **ElectroClaret** » Fri Jan 20, 2017 10:09 am

Haven't seen many of those "I'd rather be in the Championship" posts lately.

Great times. UTC

ablueclaret · Post by **ablueclaret** » Fri Jan 20, 2017 10:22 am

Of course from a pragmatic point of view we are in an excellent position but in pure footballing terms there have been many times since the 50's when it has been better to watch Burnley.
Indeed it's always more exciting to watch a side like the one Trevor Steven played in when we were in Division 1 where we attacked remorselessly with intent.
The way we play now really doesn't compare with much of the 60's when we had control of games and frightened the opposition.
Yes it is a huge achievement but at times it's pretty ordinary football to watch.
All teams need stand out players and ours are all in defence that tells us a lot about us as a footballing force.

Blackrod · Post by **Blackrod** » Fri Jan 20, 2017 10:23 am

Good times and if we stay up it will be a great achievement with the enormous financial gaps in the Premier League alone. To have witnessed that 60s side must have been the best time to be a fan. To have witnessed that to the Orient game and back to now will be an experience most fans of other clubs will never have.

SalisburyClaret · Post by **SalisburyClaret** » Fri Jan 20, 2017 10:34 am

Our achievements are on a par with the loaves and fishes. It is genuinely amazing.

Some will moan, Turf Moor will be quieter than it should be at times and the media will focus on Giroud starting to train again or some Mourinho comment.

But for everyone who was at Mansfield (or wherever) on a cold wet week night or turns up at each game through thick and thin, these are the best days of the last 50 years

RalphCoatesComb · Post by **RalphCoatesComb** » Fri Jan 20, 2017 10:35 am

ablueclaret wrote:Of course from a pragmatic point of view we are in an excellent position but in pure footballing terms there have been many times since the 50's when it has been better to watch Burnley.
Indeed it's always more exciting to watch a side like the one Trevor Steven played in when we were in Division 1 where we attacked remorselessly with intent.
The way we play now really doesn't compare with much of the 60's when we had control of games and frightened the opposition.
Yes it is a huge achievement but at times it's pretty ordinary football to watch.
All teams need stand out players and ours are all in defence that tells us a lot about us as a footballing force.

And, your last visit t'Turf was when?!

If you re-read my post, it does not mention silky smooth, Dobo-esque passing or bursting the net each week à la Pointer, Lochhead, Robson et al.

Sean Dyche has a squad and he has got us to where we are today by squeezing every drop of effort and skill from that squad. Yes, he does need to bring one or two but, within the framework of the Club (especially Budget) he has worked wonders.

Now let me enjoy this moment in time, before the likes of Putin and Co Trump all over it

Colburn_Claret · Post by **Colburn_Claret** » Fri Jan 20, 2017 10:41 am

If you don't have any bad times how do you know when you're having a good time.
The pain at times was agony, but sat here today all worth it. An incredible journey steered by some incredible people, and shared with some incredible fans.
UTC

NRC · Post by **NRC** » Fri Jan 20, 2017 10:47 am

My first game was February 1975 vs Sheffield Utd. We won 2-1 but it was all down hill after that.

So in my terms, yes its the best for the circumstances of the overall financial competition as well as football competition, and our infrastructure, but we're here on baited breath on the field.

The football has been more exciting at times pro-rata, but the team in the early 60s and the times prior to the wages cap being lifted, when towns like us could be as competitive as big city teams must have been amazing.

But thats not an era i belong to, so I'll take the steady footing Dyche has given us, with some help from the owners, and relish how much we are clearly punching above our weight in today's circumstances.

TVC15 · Post by **TVC15** » Fri Jan 20, 2017 10:58 am

Each to their own opinions but personally I struggle with a concept that playing lovely flowing attacking football in the lower leagues and losing more often than winning is more enjoyable than playing shall we call a more "direct" style.

Trevor Steven was a great player - but we have had plenty of exciting players since.

In a made up world where Burnley fans were in charge and could choose the style of play but we had to operate within the same financial structure then we would not have Sean Dyche as our manager and we would not be in the Premier League. How do I know that ? Because we tried that under Howe (and others) and were nowhere near.

We have scored plenty of goals under Dyche in the Championship and finished top of a very hard league for the first time in many years. I`m pretty sure for most fans we enjoyed that and did not walk off the games thinking "I wish we`d have won that game with more ticka tacka passes or flying wingers".

You do hear of fans at the likes of West Ham, Man Utd and Newcastle who bang on about Bobby Moore, Best and Charlton and Kevin Keegan teams and come out with statements that they were prefer their teams to play great flowing football and be less successful than direct football under Allardyce or Van Gaal. It's the "West Ham way"......the "United way" etc

That`s all well and good until your team playing this attacking flowing football get relegated like West Ham and Newcastle did - all of a sudden they just want a manager who can guarantee them promotion back to the Premier League and the style goes out of the window.

The old adage that "some people are never happy" is pretty common across football fans.

dsr · Post by **dsr** » Fri Jan 20, 2017 11:13 am

ablueclaret wrote:Indeed it's always more exciting to watch a side like the one Trevor Steven played in when we were in Division 1 where we attacked remorselessly with intent.

The only side Trevor Steven played for in division 1 was Everton. He played a season for us in division 2, but we got relegated - I don't remember that especially fondly.

Best time in my lifetime, possibly, though I was alive during the Fairs Cup run of 66-67; but not taking a lot of interest. 1973-74 was probably better, too.

JarrowClaret · Post by **JarrowClaret** » Fri Jan 20, 2017 11:26 am

I first watched the Clarets in the Orient game season from that to this is quite astonishing. I have had many conversations over the years about how Burnley used to be a top Club and would never be able to be again. I used to agree an all never thought I would see my Club in the top Division. How much ******** did I used to talk, we are in the top Division and what's more this season we are fairly competitive. Yes there are weaknesses and areas to improve there always are, if you think you have nothing to improve that's when complacency sets in. This is certainly my best time as a Burnley fan although I enjoyed the hard times as well. I just enjoy following Burnley doesn't matter in what Division to be honest nice it's in the division we are though.

JarrowClaret · Post by **JarrowClaret** » Fri Jan 20, 2017 11:34 am

I don't buy this crap about our style of Football either we are direct and mix it up more than most I guess. I have seen more good ATTACKING football under Dyche in the last few seasons than I ever did under our previous Managers with the exception of Coyle maybe. We do it right with our resources and Squad as it is over time this will develop and change but a start point for any team is a solid defence. We aren't as strong going forward but that will come, I remember Dyches first promotion some of the Football played was scintilating.

Saxoman · Post by **Saxoman** » Fri Jan 20, 2017 11:45 am

JarrowClaret wrote:I don't buy this crap about our style of Football either we are direct and mix it up more than most I guess. I have seen more good ATTACKING football under Dyche in the last few seasons than I ever did under our previous Managers with the exception of Coyle maybe. We do it right with our resources and Squad as it is over time this will develop and change but a start point for any team is a solid defence. We aren't as strong going forward but that will come, I remember Dyches first promotion some of the Football played was scintilating.

One of the great mysteries coyles success at Burnley..?

jurek · Post by **jurek** » Fri Jan 20, 2017 12:17 pm

Probably not been a better time in recent history but
the team we had in the early 60's were justifiably regarded as one of the best teams
in the top division at the time.
We had some amazing players then and overall were probably a better team and played better football
than we have/do now. Certainly exciting to watch.

But I suppose much has changed since those days and like others I never expected us to
get back up to the top division and compete as well.

andyh · Post by **andyh** » Fri Jan 20, 2017 12:20 pm

I started watching Burnley just in time for Waldron, Casper, Dobson, James et al. I remember football focus around 1974 having an aside along the lines of "Mrs X has asked us to comment on how well Burnley are doing after their promotion" my memory is a bit flakey but I think we were around 4th or 5th and it was well into the season.

Up to now that was the high water mark of me following the clarets.

However we are damn close to there right now. I know what happened to that team. Two seasons later we were relegated and I thought we would never return. I feel as long as Dyche stays we won't just slide back down into the mire. We have some serious financial clout behind us and some astute financial management.

We struck lucky just at the right time and the money we are getting that the likes of Wolves, Leeds, Forest etc.are not will naturally pull us away from them if invested wisely. Even with rich benefactors it is unlikely they will be pumping £100M a year into a club.

Silkyskills1 · Post by **Silkyskills1** » Fri Jan 20, 2017 12:58 pm

I've followed the Clarets since my first game in Nov. 58 and obviously witnessed some wonderful players and great games. In hindsight I still believe that I was 'spoiled' being able to see what was on offer during those halcyon days. I expected us to win against the likes of Spurs, Man Utd.,Everton etc. Nothing lasts forever,though and there must be many on here who experienced the worst ever feeling(football wise) on that Monday evening at the beginning of May 1987 after losing to Crewe Alex. The journey home and the next few days were grim. We survived and grew to be where we are now so especially for the likes of my son and daughter the answer to the OP has to be a resounding yes. For me the satisfaction is seeing that their long 'apprenticeship' wasn't in vain.

LoveCurryPies · Post by **LoveCurryPies** » Fri Jan 20, 2017 1:02 pm

Sometime in the future, there may (sadly) be time when we all remember these days with fondness. Make sure you enjoy it now....more faith and less negativity. At the moment, anything is possible!

Saxoman · Post by **Saxoman** » Fri Jan 20, 2017 1:03 pm

Silkyskills1 wrote:I've followed the Clarets since my first game in Nov. 58 and obviously witnessed some wonderful players and great games. In hindsight I still believe that I was 'spoiled' being able to see what was on offer during those halcyon days. I expected us to win against the likes of Spurs, Man Utd.,Everton etc. Nothing lasts forever,though and there must be many on here who experienced the worst ever feeling(football wise) on that Monday evening at the beginning of May 1987 after losing to Crewe Alex. The journey home and the next few days were grim. We survived and grew to be where we are now so especially for the likes of my son and daughter the answer to the OP has to be a resounding yes. For me the satisfaction is seeing that their long 'apprenticeship' wasn't in vain.

I think you mean no.

TVC15 · Post by **TVC15** » Fri Jan 20, 2017 1:13 pm

P-iss off Saxo - this board and this thread really is nothing to do with B@stard fans - go reminisce on your own board.

Going back to the thread for lots of fans this will be the best of times - up to now.

The message board and our fans are largely positive - there are some fans who will never be happy or expect more.

Just imagine if we would have had a message board in the late 80s and 90s - hells teeth !

FCBurnley · Post by **FCBurnley** » Fri Jan 20, 2017 1:25 pm

Beating Hanburg at Turf Moor in The European Cup Quarter Final was probably the pinnacle. Todays position is amazing and one that only a small handful of clubs would not envy. Great days

Saxoman · Post by **Saxoman** » Fri Jan 20, 2017 1:27 pm

TVC15 wrote:P-iss off Saxo - this board and this thread really is nothing to do with B@stard fans - go reminisce on your own board.

!

During the night I made another effort to rejoin brfcc without success. You're stuck with me.

TVC15 · Post by **TVC15** » Fri Jan 20, 2017 1:29 pm

Saxoman wrote:During the night I made another effort to rejoin brfcc without success. You're stuck with me.

As a player ?

I'm surprised you didn't get a contract - are you Heather Mills ?

Sidney1st · Post by **Sidney1st** » Fri Jan 20, 2017 1:30 pm

This keeps going off when you try and join Brfcc I've heard.

: saxo.png (169.81 KiB) Viewed 3702 times

JarrowClaret · Post by **JarrowClaret** » Fri Jan 20, 2017 1:35 pm

Saxo

I guess the Coyle thing is down to couple of things firstly a whole lot of Luck and I can't explain it but some things just fit. I think we have similar with JB he just fits with us at the moment and maybe wouldn't fit so well elsewhere as has been proved in Glasgow.

RalphCoatesComb · Post by **RalphCoatesComb** » Sat Jan 21, 2017 1:23 pm

LoveCurryPies wrote:Sometime in the future, there may (sadly) be time when we all remember these days with fondness. Make sure you enjoy it now....more faith and less negativity. At the moment, anything is possible!

Well said. Make the most of "NOW" !

JohnMac · Post by **JohnMac** » Sat Jan 21, 2017 1:39 pm

When I started going on a shade over 50 years ago we were served up some delights by some brilliant players and ventured into Europe. With a tad more luck we could have even won a bit of Silverware in the FA and League cups.

In recent times what the Club has achieved against the odds and the way they have gone about it is nothing short of a miracle.

Finishing as Runners Up was incredible then actually winning the Championship has been the pinnacle of my time, something I honestly thought beyond us.

As others have alluded to, beating Man Utd, Man City, Liverpool, Everton and several of the London clubs is just the icing on the cake.

Proud to be a Claret!

RalphCoatesComb · Post by **RalphCoatesComb** » Tue Jan 31, 2017 10:41 pm

Never been a better time in my lifetime.

We are Premier League and deserve to be so !

boiledclaret · Post by **boiledclaret** » Tue Jan 31, 2017 10:47 pm

Best team in my lifetime as well. These last 4 seasons have been the best that I've seen of us. 9th, for tonight at least, and a home game away from the QF's of the cup were we haven't conceded a goal yet, dreamland stuff.

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