Respect each others views please and i have gone 30 as it is our most current era as such and obviously rules out Lord etc so should be more relevent to younger supporters and modern times.
5, Jimmy Mullen; got us out of the doldrums after the sadly upsetting shambles that was Frank Caspers last stint. Brought flair excitement and belief . Still fondly thought off.
4, Coyle,sticks in the throat and I despise and detest the man however he was the right man at the right time lucky sod but he got us up for the first time. (It's the season of goodwill where we have to remember people we no longer see or call friends)
3, Stan Ternent, stabilised the team brought
organisation and set a mimimum standard of division two (championship) football.Still fondly remembered.
2, Sean Dyche, what a manager, genious, inspirational leader. He has put the club at a level we could only dream of at times selflessly putting the infrastructure before personal gain/ambition.Will always be a legend.
1, Barry Kilby, the foundation that what we have now is built on. A passionate claret using his personal wealth and business acumen over the years to drag us and keep us out of the sh1t. Taken undeserved stick over the years but just shrugged his shoulders and got on with it. Curent directors are brilliant but if it wasn't for BK I doubt there would have been a club worth investing in or directing.
What's your choice ?

Roger Eli. My first hero

Steve Davis. Love him or loathe him, but he seemed to be ever present in one capacity or another from Division 4 all the way to the premier league

Glen Little. A real “out of your seat” footballer. A gangly, unmajestic genius, who must look back at his time here as the highlight of his career. I remember him coming off the bench against spurs in the EFL Cup, and completely changing the game. We could have done with someone with that unpredictable edge on the bench yesterday

Robbie Blake. A magician. I loved him when he was at Bradford, and was staggered when we signed him, and then re-signed him. Gave us some of our most memorable moments

Sean Dyche. Still a bit unloved, although hugely respected by many. He has room for improvement and development, of course, but he has completely revamped the club. Each week, whenever we lose or perform poorly, I still look at the state of the club now, and think, actually, we are doing pretty well

bfcjg wrote:Jimmy Mullen; got us out of the doldrums after the sadly upsetting shambles that was Frank Caspers last stint. Brought flair excitement and belief . Still fondly thought off.

What is interesting is that the players would disagree with you on both Casper and Mullen, who they do not remember fondly.

ClaretTony wrote:What is interesting is that the players would disagree with you on both Casper and Mullen, who they do not remember fondly.

Fortunately I'm not a player and their love in with Frank didn't actually cut the mustard.

Glenn Little for being the most 'take it forward and charge at the opposition' player and a brilliant footballer, to boot.

Brian Jensen for being a loyal claret and a good keeper of those times, including the magnificent penalty save at Chelsea.

Danny Ings for his brilliant performances that got us into the premiership.

Kieran Trippier ditto and for encouraging others to come to the club.

Sean Dyche for his faith and ability and loyalty.

One has to mention Owen Coyle too, before he ditched us although he remains unforgiven.

Others on a long list worthy of mention include Neil Grewcock for the Orient goal, John Francis, Andy Cooke, Wade Elliot, Mee and keane.

bfcjg wrote:Fortunately I'm not a player and their love in with Frank didn't actually cut the mustard.

Just pointing it out, the players had huge respect for Casper but very little time for Mullen.

ClaretTony wrote:Just pointing it out, the players had huge respect for Casper but very little time for Mullen.

Interesting. What do you think Mullen was able to do as manager that Casper couldn't do?

JohnDearyMe wrote:Interesting. What do you think Mullen was able to do as manager that Casper couldn't do?

Casper was trying to play football through the midfield, Mullen just went long ball direct football using the pace down the flanks. It worked. It's talking to those players now that you learn how little respect they had for him.

Back to the influences and in terms of manager all of Mullen, Ternent and Dyche have to be in there in varying degrees.

Players - Davis, Francis (always scored the key goals), Payton, Little, Blake, Caldwell, Elliott and then many of the current/recent players who have been involved in the two promotions and staying in the Premier league.

5:Jimmy Mullen
4:Trippier
3:Ben Mee
2:Sean Dyche
1:Kilby

In no order

Joey Barton - I wasn’t so keen when he signed but was arguably the best midfielder I’ve seen at Burnley Football Club, it was disappointing to see him join Rangers but when he returned for our Premier League campaign, he was fantastic again.

Ian Wright - there’s never been a buzz about a signing since, it was a remarkable capture to step in for a suspended Andy Payton. He helped us over the line with promotion.

Gerry Creaney - Remember him? Signed from the obscurity of Man City’s reserves, played 10 games, scored 8 goals but we couldn’t extend his loan period. He went back to Maine Road and was never heard of again. His contribution kept us in Nationwide League Division 2.

Graham Alexander - Spending £200,000 for a player in his mid-30s was a bit of a surprise given how brassic we were at the time, considering he turned us down nearly a decade before... and the fact he was a Preston legend who wasn’t that fussed about keeping him around anyway. He played in all 60-odd games in one season and scored important goals and gained over 1000 professional apps while at Burnley, your not going to see many influential players than Grezza.

Andy Payton - Made his dream move to Burnley as a fan and was a predatory goalscorer. Helped us avoid relegation, helped us win promotion and maybe if we had a bit more luck he could’ve played in the top flight with us...

1) Barry Kilby. Everything good we have now started when he came on board.
2) Sean Dyche. 3 PL seasons and counting. Thank you
3) Owen Coyle. For showing us that the impossible was possible.
4) Mike Garlick. For current stewardship.
5). Mike Duff. For being there the whole journey.

Dyche obvs no 1

Players

Robbie Blake
Glen Little
Steve Davis
Tripper
Danny Ings

Gerry Creaney - Remember him? Signed from the obscurity of Man City’s reserves, played 10 games, scored 8 goals but we couldn’t extend his loan period. He went back to Maine Road and was never heard of again. His contribution kept us in Nationwide League Division 2.

Never forget him hanging on to his shorts at home v Carlisle after half an hour. He had to go to the dugout for water. He used to like a Friday night out in altrincham. At that time City had a massive squad and a few months after taking over Joe Royle said he kept coming across players he didn't even know were on the books. He described some as institutionalised central league players. They were happy pulling a decent wage just to play in the reserves rather getting abused by the Maine Road crowd.

Liam Robinson
Joe Neenan
Nick Pickering
Martin Buchan
Paul Stewart

All make me appreciate just how good we are now !

Peter Noble
Billy Hamilton
Glen Little
Wade Elliot
Tom Heaton

From the current crop, Scott Arfield, Sam Vokes Ben Mee and Tom Heaton deserve a mention.
Sean Dyche obviously.
Jimmy Mullen definitely.
Steve Davis central to two promotions from the doldrums.
Glen Little crucial.

Blatherwick, then graham alexander, and joey barton, tin man, and tom heaton.

ClaretTony wrote:Just pointing it out, the players had huge respect for Casper but very little time for Mullen.

I find it strange and thought Mullen was popular with the players. I was at Caspers last game in charge Scarborough away we were losing it hammered it down and the abuse Frank was getting was upsetying as he was my childhood hero. If the players respected him they certainly let him down especially as they won was it six on the bounce with Mullen.

Was the lack of respect for Mullen due to his drinking?

Herts Clarets wrote:Was the lack of respect for Mullen due to his drinking?

I think Frank liked a snifter or three.
I am surprised that the players didn't like him, however I take Tonys word for it. Whats your five Herts ?

Mullen..God bless him
Kilby
Coyle..Tw*t
Dyche
Defour

Alan Stevenson - great keeper
Billy Ingham - Ideal when there was only one sub, could play well anywhere
Colin Waldron - great defender and superb header at Maine Road.
Peter Noble - just because he was brilliant
and for some reason Warren Joyce, loved the way he arrived in the box on to a through ball then put it wide

Leisure for me. Helped me out for donkeys years. Thank you.

Excluding managers.

Elliot
Blake
Grezza
Vokes
Barton

All fairly recent but played big parts in the rise of our club. Wether it’s with leadership and know how or linking up with other players to bring the team together. Or being a complete wizard (Blake)

On the field.... Steve Davis, Andy Payton, Michael Duff, Robbie Blake and Ben Mee

Off the field.... Stan Ternent, Barry Kilby, Mike Garlick, Owen Coyle and Sean Dyche..

Jimmy Mullen
Barry Kilby
Stan Ternent
Owen Coyle... much as it pains me to admit it
Sean Dyche

Wile E Coyote wrote:Blatherwick, then graham alexander, and joey barton, tin man, and tom heaton.

Odd first one

In moving the team forwards over the past three decades it's a pretty difficult job so I've picked five players who were influential in taking us into the Championship and around the early noughties.

Graham Alexander
Robbie Blake
Kevin Ball
Andy Payton
Super Glen

Off the field progress under Jimmy Mullen was impressive when you look back. Barry Kilby has been immense in slowly and carefully taking us forward. The Stan Ternent period was 'fun' with Wrighty, Gazza, and games where you could end up losing 6-5. Also worthy of mentions were Cotterill, Howe and Coyle for their efforts in moving us forward. And for the past five years the guy we all owe our thanks to is Sean Dyche, proudest man in Proudsville and the man of our time. It's been an amazing 30 years that's taken us to Wembley, from the 4th division to the Premiere League, a packed Turf Moor every week and the pleasure of watching our team play some of the best players in the world. 32 points and 7th in the League- what a Christmas present. UTC

Eagles, helped give everyone that belief.

Blake, magician.

Alexander, pivotal.

Mee, hero.

Dyche, sublime.

Merry Christmas!

I agree with all posters i will add another one TED McMINN

Grewcock
Britton
Mullen
Ternent
Dyche

And plenty, plenty more.

1 Brian Miller 1987 honestly think only Brian’s Love for the club got us through that.

2 Ian Britton. THE GOAL that mattered more than any other.

3 Barry Kilby came in at the right time when we needed a steadying influence at the top or we were going back to the dark dark days.

4 Stan Ternant established us at an higher level.

5 Sean Dyche I now believe nobody else in the modern game could do what he’s done with our club.

David Eyres and Mike Conroy - the players that made me fall in love with Burnley FC.

Marlon Beresford - we've had better keepers but this guy made me want to to become a goalkeeper.

Barry Kilby - we owe everything to this guy.

Sean Dyche

5. Dave Burnley
4. Michael Duff
3.Stan Ternent
2.Barry Kilby
1. Sean Dyche

Off the pitch,
5: Jimmy Mullen - Flawed Genius.
4: Francis Stanley Ternent - Spiky Genius.
3: Owen Columba Coyle - Slippery Genius.
2: Barry Kilby - Genial Genius.
1: Sean Dyche - The(definitive article)Genius.

On the pitch, no longer playing.

5: Glen Little - Gangly Genius.
4: Robbie Blake - Mercurial Genius.
3: Andy Payton - Padiham Genius.
2: David Eyres - Late Blossoming Genius.
1: Wade Elliot - More than the sum of his parts Genius.

On the Pitch, still playing.

5: Andre Gray - Golden Boot Genius.
4: David Jones - Underrated(by some) Genius.
3: Ash Barnes - Dark Arts Genius.
2: Steven Defour - Peerless Genius.
1: Sam Vokes - Baby-faced Genius.

Vegas Claret wrote:Liam Robinson
Joe Neenan
Nick Pickering
Martin Buchan
Paul Stewart

All make me appreciate just how good we are now !

You had to love Liam Robinson`s endeavour and his cheeky grin. From there to Ian Moore to Martin Paterson to Andre Gray to Nakhi Wells.

p.s. reading your list, the memory of Paul Atkinson leapt into my mind. Enough to send a shiver down anyone`s mind!!!!

Not a single mention of the one player who was the absolute catalyst for our turn around, the one player who after years of spineless, gutless, pathetic performances, grabbed our Club by the scruff of its neck, lifted it off it's arse and pointed it in the right direction.

John Deary.

Some great shouts already on this thread but one name who needs to be on for me is Brendan Flood.
We have had a fabulous board over the years but needed the gambling instinct of Flood to get us to the promised land the first time.
We were hanging in there bottom half championship at the time losing 4m a season.
A big turning point in the clubs fortunes.

Fretters wrote:Odd first one

yes, chucked that one in for comic value.

The Pitch has helped too....

bfcjg wrote: I am surprised that the players didn't like him, however I take Tonys word for it.

I probably wouldn't take his word for it.

I don't think a set of players have 'no time' or 'respect' for the manager when they become Champions of a league and then sing his name because of it.

Maybe Jimmy could sue?

claptrappers_union wrote:In no order

Joey Barton - I wasn’t so keen when he signed but was arguably the best midfielder I’ve seen at Burnley Football Club, it was disappointing to see him join Rangers but when he returned for our Premier League campaign, he was fantastic .

I agree he was fantastic in our championship winning side, however last season he didn't reach the same heights. Actually results in the Premier league before he rejoined the club and since he left the club were/are much improved.

Five players.
Glenn Little. A little magic to brighten some dull times.
Steve Davis. Solid dependable great defender but opted to destroy his cult status.
Danny Ings. Goals win games plus the winner where and when it counted.
David Eyres. Joy to watch crucial goals always have his best.
Tom Heaton. Best ever Burnley keeper got us up kept us up. An inspiration.

If it (the last 30 years) includes the Orient game then Neil Grewcock must be in there alongside Ian Britton.

Also for influence Michael Kightly got us over the line with some crucial goals in Dyche's first promotion season.

Diesel wrote:Not a single mention of the one player who was the absolute catalyst for our turn around, the one player who after years of spineless, gutless, pathetic performances, grabbed our Club by the scruff of its neck, lifted it off it's arse and pointed it in the right direction.

John Deary.

Well put

Is John Deary's middle name really Steele or has someone amended the wikipedia article?

Caernarfon_Claret wrote:If it (the last 30 years) includes the Orient game then Neil Grewcock must be in there alongside Ian Britton.

I think Grewcock was my first hero.

addisclaret wrote:Alan Stevenson - great keeper
Billy Ingham - Ideal when there was only one sub, could play well anywhere
Colin Waldron - great defender and superb header at Maine Road.
Peter Noble - just because he was brilliant
and for some reason Warren Joyce, loved the way he arrived in the box on to a through ball then put it wide

Love the list but other than Joyce not one of those has been a Claret in the last 30 yrs.