For me, one of the most natural forwards in my era watching Burnley (started in 91-92). Very clever player, both on and off the ball.

I remember him scoring against Hull on the last day in front of a crowd-filled Longside.

I also remember his fantastic chipped goal at the Cricket Field End for PNE, in a week where we lost three games at home, 0-5 (Gillingham), 0-6 (Man City) and 0-1 (PNE).

Any favourite moments? Memories? Thoughts?

J

King Kurt.

I hated him at Preston though.

Before my time but he got to wear some excellent shirts.

One of those players who you thought had it to play a level or so up had he maximised his ability. Sounded like a problematic character with a bit of a drinking issue.

Giving him a tip in Coral's in the town centre and being given a £5 out of a fair wedge when it won to buy a pint with.

Scoring at Crewe in whatever the Sherpa Van was called then, it was when we had golden goal rule, he scored and headed straight to the tunnel.

Lots of talent.

Not the most simple of characters.

We should have signed his brother Lee.
I saw Kirk play at the Goldstone in Brighton

Goal at Ashton Gate which gave us the most outrageous smash and grab win!

I remember him ringing the Radio Lancs football phone in after a match,complaining about his £750 a week wage. Apparently it didn't stretch far enough in The Railway at Barlick.

Remember it took him a few games to bag his first goal after what was quite a big money transfer for us.

Often seen wondering round Panama Joes on his own.

claretonthecoast1882 wrote: ↑

Mon Aug 14, 2023 11:22 am

Giving him a tip in Coral's in the town centre and being given a £5 out of a fair wedge when it won to buy a pint with.

Scoring at Crewe in whatever the Sherpa Van was called then, it was when we had golden goal rule, he scored and headed straight to the tunnel.

Remember listening to this on Radio Lancs!

He was a fabulous player for the level we were at. I agree with the comment further up, for sure he could have played in Division One (as it was) but lots of stories about a lack of professionalism have come out in the years since, or not taking it seriously enough should I say.

Great finisher though, I loved King Kurt - he was the best striker I had seen for Burnley until we signed Payton.

Very good player indeed.

Steve-Harpers-perm wrote: ↑

Mon Aug 14, 2023 11:58 am

Remember it took him a few games to bag his first goal after what was quite a big money transfer for us.

Often seen wondering round Panama Joes on his own.

He'd also gone on a long goal drought at Brighton before we signed him.

I know a lad who car shared with him at pne he would go straight from a lock in at the pub to training. He loved a good old slurp perhaps too much some player though perhaps a prem striker without the drinking.

He showed he had it in him to play at a higher level when he scored twice for PNE against Arsenal in the cup. Arsenal came back to win 4-2.

He came to a fund-raising event at St Thomas' CE School Barrowford. There was a penalty-taking competition. The goals were tine and the keeper was very good at saving penalties, in fact no-one had scored any of their five shots. I asked Kurt if he would show us how it was done, and he said,"no problem". Despite wearing club jacket, trousers and leather shoes and taking just one step each time, he scored all five. The keeper couldn't do a thing about it, and rushed out to shake Kurt's hand.

That was when I realised just how good a professional footballer really is!

Was there not a story about him falling asleep in his soup somewhere?

Red Fox Rocks Socks wrote: ↑

Mon Aug 14, 2023 1:07 pm

Was there not a story about him falling asleep in his soup somewhere?

He wet himself as well at the event, it was though cock-a-leaky soup.

He was a very talented striker.

I once was waiting in the Sparrowhawk hotel in Fence for a work colleagues leaving bash. I was there very early so was stood at the bar and Kurt came next to me on his own, so I had a chat about Burnley, etc. In less than half an hour he smoked two cigarettes and downed three pints. I left him at the bar once my workmates turned up. I couldn't believe how someone with so much potential would jeopardise his career. He clearly had a drink problem which was a shame.

Kurt was back in the Preston area last year, coaching at Longridge Town.

Fretters wrote: ↑

Mon Aug 14, 2023 12:27 pm

He showed he had it in him to play at a higher level when he scored twice for PNE against Arsenal in the cup. Arsenal came back to win 4-2.

I might be wrong, but I think Eyres and Parky were in that side. Michael Jackson too. Eyres was red carded. Too soon for Grezza?

jdrobbo wrote: ↑

Mon Aug 14, 2023 6:37 pm

I might be wrong, but I think Eyres and Parky were in that side. Michael Jackson too. Eyres was red carded. Too soon for Grezza?

Spot on, on all fronts. Was Moyes's first season, I think, and he was putting a very decent team together for the third tier. Gregan and Macken played that night too.

Jackson was a very decent player

jdrobbo wrote: ↑

Mon Aug 14, 2023 11:03 am

For me, one of the most natural forwards in my era watching Burnley (started in 91-92). Very clever player, both on and off the ball.

I remember him scoring against Hull on the last day in front of a crowd-filled Longside.

I also remember his fantastic chipped goal at the Cricket Field End for PNE, in a week where we lost three games at home, 0-5 (Gillingham), 0-6 (Man City) and 0-1 (PNE).

Any favourite moments? Memories? Thoughts?

J

IMG_9269.jpegIMG_9268.jpegIMG_9267.jpeg

Am I imagining it, or did Eyres hit the bar with a penalty for us in that 1-0 defeat? Seem to recall being relieved at the time we kept it to 1 given the Bob Taylor and Shaun Goater shows in the previous few days

ChrisG wrote: ↑

Tue Aug 15, 2023 9:07 am

Am I imagining it, or did Eyres hit the bar with a penalty for us in that 1-0 defeat? Seem to recall being relieved at the time we kept it to 1 given the Bob Taylor and Shaun Goater shows in the previous few days

The Preston game saw debuts for Tom Cowan & Paul Cook and though Andy Payton hit the post we didn't get a penalty in that game.

ChrisG wrote: ↑

Tue Aug 15, 2023 9:07 am

Am I imagining it, or did Eyres hit the bar with a penalty for us in that 1-0 defeat? Seem to recall being relieved at the time we kept it to 1 given the Bob Taylor and Shaun Goater shows in the previous few days

Eyres was sold by Waddle in the previous season.

Fretters wrote: ↑

Tue Aug 15, 2023 5:40 pm

Eyres was sold by Waddle in the previous season.

Aye he was, looks like he actually played for PNE in the game mentioned above. It must have been an earlier game I am thinking of

ChrisG wrote: ↑

Tue Aug 15, 2023 7:37 pm

Aye he was, looks like he actually played for PNE in the game mentioned above. It must have been an earlier game I am thinking of

I think the game you're thinking of might have actually been the Waddle season, just before he left us.

Fretters wrote: ↑

Tue Aug 15, 2023 8:01 pm

I think the game you're thinking of might have actually been the Waddle season, just before he left us.

You are quite right. Eyres missed a penalty in the 1-1 home draw with PNE in the 1997/8 Waddle season. Andy Cooke equalised late on after Nogan had given Preston the lead.

sjb wrote: ↑

Tue Aug 15, 2023 8:50 pm

You are quite right. Eyres missed a penalty in the 1-1 home draw with PNE in the 1997/8 Waddle season. Andy Cooke equalised late on after Nogan had given Preston the lead.

That's the one. Didn't realise Nogan had been there that long