Read an article from the Gaurdian today on the above and it got me wondering about our own club. "What is the longest time a person has been at a club? This could be as a player then coach, not just in one position". On the Gaurdian thread it includes people who have left and returned to the club. See link for more details.

https://amp.theguardian.com/football/20 ... -knowledge

Who is ours?

I miss edit

Brian Miller stacked up a lot of years in a number of roles.

George Bray worked for Burnley FC as player, trainer & kit manager in every decade from the 1930s to the 1990s and I can’t imagine that being beaten.

Jim Thompson who passed away recently was employed by Burnley for over 60 years in various roles.

Arthur Bellamy was with Burnley from 1958 until 1972 then from 1979 until retiring in 2007.

I read an article a while ago about a bloke who had been manager of Albion Sports (a Bradford team in the NE counties league) for over 40 years. He was replaced by John Francis - yes that John Francis. (Edit - 34 years)

Brent Peters has managed Bacup Borough for 24 years.

I think I’m right in saying there was a chap called Billy Dougall who had an involvement with the clarets, firstly as a player in the 20s, then as a coach, assistant manager and physiotherapist right through to the mid 60s. Anybody remember him? What a tremendous servant. I bet he had some stories.

lewishamclaret wrote: ↑

Wed Oct 20, 2021 4:31 pm

I think I’m right in saying there was a chap called Billy Dougall who had an involvement with the clarets, firstly as a player in the 20s, then as a coach, assistant manager and physiotherapist right through to the mid 60s. Anybody remember him? What a tremendous servant. I bet he had some stories.

Billy wasn't here right through that period but was only away a short time. You missed out the fact that he was the manager before Harry Potts too. He lived near us and his daughter (Ella I think) and my mum were good friends. Sadly, he had his leg amputated not too long before he passed away in 1966.

There is someone on this message board (poster name Dougall) who knew Billy far better than I could ever have done.

ClaretTony wrote: ↑

Wed Oct 20, 2021 4:43 pm

Billy wasn't here right through that period but was only away a short time. You missed out the fact that he was the manager before Harry Potts too. He lived near us and his daughter (Ella I think) and my mum were good friends. Sadly, he had his left amputated and passed away in 1966.

There is someone on this message board (poster name Dougall) who knew Billy far better than I could ever have done.

I expect anyone would struggle without their entire left side

Thanks- I’ve always been a little intrigued about Billy Dougall tbh as he was in and around the club for such a long time, except for one for two short periods as you say as well as WWII of course. From Scotland originally I believe and born in the late 1800s. Must have witnessed both of our championship winning sides (though of course not involved with us until mid 20s). I’m surprised he isn’t more of a celebrated/ known figure in our history tbh, though I guess he was mainly a behind the scenes man.

Two names spring to mind, albeit having read the above; obviously not the longest. Jimmy Holland and Joyce Pickles (think she was called Joyce) seemed to be at Turf Moor for many years.

Albert Maddox must be up there.

lewishamclaret wrote: ↑

Wed Oct 20, 2021 4:55 pm

Thanks- I’ve always been a little intrigued about Billy Dougall tbh as he was in and around the club for such a long time, except for one for two short periods as you say as well as WWII of course. From Scotland originally I believe and born in the late 1800s. Must have witnessed both of our championship winning sides (though of course not involved with us until mid 20s). I’m surprised he isn’t more of a celebrated/ known figure in our history tbh, though I guess he was mainly a behind the scenes man.

Couple of articles I've written on him

1st one entitled "Billy Dougall was the jewel in our crown"
https://www.uptheclarets.com/billy-doug ... -our-crown

The other, from the managers section has the line: "Many supporters of today will not even know the name of Billy Dougall, but they should, they really should."
https://www.uptheclarets.com/billy-doug ... nuary-1958

And I mentioned my old friend George Bray further up the thread. This was written on what would have been his 100th birthday, he was born on the 11th day of the 11th month 1918.
https://www.uptheclarets.com/remembering-george-bray

Such a shame people don't know about Billy & George, both of whom were major influences at Burnley Football Club.

BenWickes wrote: ↑

Wed Oct 20, 2021 5:01 pm

Two names spring to mind, albeit having read the above; obviously not the longest. Jimmy Holland and Joyce Pickles (think she was called Joyce) seemed to be at Turf Moor for many years.

Jimmy Holland would have done about 25 years I reckon but Joyce was only there for about three years.

Bfc wrote: ↑

Wed Oct 20, 2021 5:04 pm

Albert Maddox must be up there.

Albert was there a good while over two spells. He returned for his second spell after Bob Bradshaw passed away. They were two people I had a lot of time for. Albert could be grumpy but was always good with me, Bob was a gentleman.

ClaretTony wrote: ↑

Wed Oct 20, 2021 5:07 pm

Jimmy Holland would have done about 25 years I reckon but Joyce was only there for about three years.

It's a while back now but if it was around 87 no wonder it seemed like Joyce was with us longer.

ClaretTony wrote: ↑

Wed Oct 20, 2021 5:07 pm

Jimmy Holland would have done about 25 years I reckon but Joyce was only there for about three years.

Surely Joyce was at the club for longer than three years?

This article suggests she was at the club during the 70s, 80s and 90s

https://www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/n ... kles-dies/

BenWickes wrote: ↑

Wed Oct 20, 2021 5:10 pm

It's a while back now but if it was around 87 no wonder it seemed like Joyce was with us longer.

Joyce replaced Jim Thomson (the ex-player) in 1987 but left before Frank Casper in 1991 to set up Glory Years with him. She did come back a few years ago to help out but was at Wigan RL for some considerable time. Another one I liked was Joyce, sad that she passed away suddenly. I think the last time I saw her we were discussing lotty (CumbrianClaret) passing away which was October 2016.

Red Fox Rocks Socks wrote: ↑

Wed Oct 20, 2021 4:48 pm

I expect anyone would struggle without their entire left side

Sean Dyche's Watch wrote: ↑

Wed Oct 20, 2021 5:13 pm

Surely Joyce was at the club for longer than three years?

This article suggests she was at the club during the 70s, 80s and 90s

https://www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/n ... kles-dies/

I am definitely unaware of her working at the club until 1987. She might well have dealt with the club prior to that but that's the only time I knew she worked at the club. I suspect that article is incorrect. It is definitely incorrect with the job, she was the marketing manager.

ClaretTony wrote: ↑

Wed Oct 20, 2021 5:13 pm

Joyce replaced Jim Thomson (the ex-player) in 1987 but left before Frank Casper in 1991 to set up Glory Years with him. She did come back a few years ago to help out but was at Wigan RL for some considerable time. Another one I liked was Joyce, sad that she passed away suddenly. I think the last time I saw her we were discussing lotty (CumbrianClaret) passing away which was October 2016.

That explains why it felt longer if she arrived in 87. Lovely lady was Joyce. Had many dealings with her, particularly in the late 80's.

BenWickes wrote: ↑

Wed Oct 20, 2021 5:17 pm

That explains why it felt longer if she arrived in 87. Lovely lady was Joyce. Had many dealings with her, particularly in the late 80's.

She was. They replaced her with another woman called Cynthia who was a complete waste of space. Joyce & Frank (Casper) set up on Albert Street but for a good number of years were based in the old FootyMad buiding on Network 65.

Hi Dougall- any relation to the great aforementioned Billy, or did you know him well (if you don’t mind me asking)? I’m sure there’s a book of interesting stories if you did.

How many years service has Andy Farrell at Burnley FC ?

BigRedrose wrote: ↑

Wed Oct 20, 2021 6:46 pm

How many years service has Andy Farrell at Burnley FC ?

Joined in 1987 and left in 1994. Rejoined around 2007.

Pash became youth team coach in 1991/92 and is still here.

ClaretTony wrote: ↑

Wed Oct 20, 2021 5:09 pm

Albert was there a good while over two spells. He returned for his second spell after Bob Bradshaw passed away. They were two people I had a lot of time for. Albert could be grumpy but was always good with me, Bob was a gentleman.

Bob was at the club 24 years ( 1962-86 )

BillyHamilton9 wrote: ↑

Wed Oct 20, 2021 7:26 pm

Bob was at the club 24 years ( 1962-86 )

Didn’t realise Bob was there as long as that. He must have become Albert’s assistant when Albert replaced Henry Smith as secretary. I’m assuming that 1986 was when Bob passed away. Such a nice bloke was Bob.

lewishamclaret wrote: ↑

Wed Oct 20, 2021 6:17 pm

Hi Dougall- any relation to the great aforementioned Billy, or did you know him well (if you don’t mind me asking)? I’m sure there’s a book of interesting stories if you did.

Yep. He was my Grandad.
He died when I was 10, so I didn’t get the stories from him first-hand, but there were lots of them!!
As Claret Tony could tell you - Jimmy Mac couldn’t speak highly enough of him.

Dougall wrote: ↑

Wed Oct 20, 2021 7:51 pm

Yep. He was my Grandad.
He died when I was 10, so I didn’t get the stories from him first-hand, but there were lots of them!!
As Claret Tony could tell you - Jimmy Mac couldn’t speak highly enough of him.

Jimmy Mac waxed lyrical about him, and not forgetting his right hand man Ray Bennion.

I can only remember him with the white coat he wore as physio but apart from Jimmy Mac, I know how much he was thought of by Harry Potts.

Everyone involved with our club plays their part, some more than others. It’s such a shame that some are too easily forgotten when their names should be up in lights.

Lovely stories chaps. Thanks. Really enjoy these sorts of threads

CT, there was a gentleman I think called Hargreaves, who was assistant to Albert Maddox, before Bob Bradshaw.

Kevin long is gunning for the title

Jack Pearce the current Bognor manager has been at that club since 1970. He brought in Robbie Blake as first team coach a couple of years ago but still retains overall control.

He's also now the chairman of the National League.

Bfc wrote: ↑

Thu Oct 21, 2021 8:38 am

CT, there was a gentleman I think called Hargreaves, who was assistant to Albert Maddox, before Bob Bradshaw.

That's not a name I know to be honest in terms of working at the club in the 1960s but if Bob was there from 1962, as confirmed further up the thread, I'd assumed he stepped into Albert's shoes when Albert replaced Henry Smith.

How long was Dr Ivan associated with the club? I'm sure he was the club doctor initially eventually becoming club President.

Sleeping Cat wrote: ↑

Thu Oct 21, 2021 11:35 am

How long was Dr Ivan associated with the club? I'm sure he was the club doctor initially eventually becoming club President.

Good shout that one Sleeping Cat. I think he was one of the club doctors from not long after the end of WWII with Dr. Kerr and I'm sure he was a director from the 1960s at least. He passed away at the end of 2007 when, although no longer active, was still the club president.

Dr Ivan was at Burnley 61 years in one role or another

Logged in to like the topic/OP - interesting, informative, and always worth recognising service of this kind, whether it be headline making or in the wings!

Away from us, Roly Howard, of Marine FC was once apparently the longest serving manager in the record books. 30 years or more.
Not sure if he had any other job with them.

Dr Iven, Dr Ker (odd spelling but true)

Tony Parkes was at Blackburn for over 30 years I think until Mark Hughes came along and got rid of him

longsidetrumpet wrote: ↑

Fri Oct 22, 2021 10:02 am

Dr Iven, Dr Ker (odd spelling but true)

When I wrote it initially I wrote Ker but thought it didn't look right even though I thought it was.