I remember a few players in my time that I felt were on another level to the rest of our team.
Last year Maatsens performance against Huddersfield immediately made me think he's far too good to ever sign for us permanently.
Before that of course there was Defour.
But in my earlier years I remember Steve Davis bring something else but also Ian Wright and even David May. You could tell these were just naturally gifted players.
The one that I oddly seem to remember the most was when we signed David Johnson on loan from Forest. He looked an amazing player and one I'd never had imagined would ever play for us at the time.

Of course there's more obvious ones that set their mark as legends like Blake, Little etc but do you guys remember getting that 'oh yeah' moment about other, less obvious players?

Gary Cahill

Joey Barton v Middlesbrough in 1-1 draw at turf, can't remember year but Michael Keane equalised in last minute

Paul Cook was class.

I know you mentioned him, but Defour is the one who immediately springs to mind as a player who just looked like he was playing on another level. Rare to see players like that in claret and blue at the time and it was pretty special to watch.

Trevor Steven. Running our MF at 16yo. I said to a mate at the time, “He’s a gift from god”.
Given away for only £300k.

Defour is the obvious one from recent seasons. Bit of a joke he played for us, and wouldn't have done if it wasn't for injuries. Best player I've seen play for us and by some distance I reckon.

Two who weren't playing for us but against us - Aaron Lennon for Leeds and Darren Bent for Ipswich.

Tin man.

I remember when Adrian Heath first stepped on the pitch for us.

It was a revelation at the time - somebody who could actually pass the ball.

Hadn't seen his like since the 60's/early 70's.

Defour was class...it was a pleasure to watch him play for us unfortunately it wasn't for long enough...but he was certainly a class act.

Based on West Yorkshire Clarets conversation with Roger Eli the other day, Adrian Heath and Marlon Beresford coming into the 1992/93 side

jdrobbo wrote: ↑

Sat Jan 27, 2024 11:23 am

Based on West Yorkshire Clarets conversation with Roger Eli the other day, Adrian Heath and Marlon Beresford coming into the 1992/93 side

Adrian Heath was literally in a different league at that time.

Marlon with his shot stopping including saving penalties.

But not so good with crosses

Adrian Randall

Defour and Barton are two recent ones that spring to mind. You could tell the difference immediately.

After a while you could see Tripps was destined for better things too.

I know someone has mentioned Cahill and he was obviously class but McGreal also stood out as someone who had played at a higher level.

I remember watching Ian Wright's Garstang touch and movement on his debut, it was sensational. Tommy Hutchinson was another who stood out, that said it wasn't difficult in that era.

boyyanno wrote: ↑

Sat Jan 27, 2024 11:45 am

I know someone has mentioned Cahill and he was obviously class but McGreal also stood out as someone who had played at a higher level.

McGreal, and Sinclair too, were key players for us in the early Cotterill days and I reckon both Cahill and Duff would consider them key players in their careers from whom they learned so much.

In the lower leagues, we had plenty of talent that were way better than the league we were playing in.

But a classy player for me has more time and gets in the right position regularly.

Heath, Mitchell Thomas, John McGreal, Steve Davis all spring to mind.

Djemba Djemba at the time for us was class, the way he was just able to take the ball first time and find a man with the ball was a cut above what we had.

bfcjg wrote: ↑

Sat Jan 27, 2024 11:46 am

I remember watching Ian Wright's Garstang touch and movement on his debut, it was sensational. Tommy Hutchinson was another who stood out, that said it wasn't difficult in that era.

Predictive text, correct edit
I remember watching Ian Wright's first touch and movement on his debut, it was sensational. Tommy Hutchinson was another who stood out, that said it wasn't difficult in that era.

ClaretTony wrote: ↑

Sat Jan 27, 2024 11:47 am

McGreal, and Sinclair too, were key players for us in the early Cotterill days and I reckon both Cahill and Duff would consider them key players in their careers from whom they learned so much.

Yeah you're right about Sinclair, was he captain for a while too while we were struggling?

Just a little mention for Mitchell Thomas.

We got him at the knacker-end of his career but at 3rd tier level he was the best left back in the division despite barely being able to run.

Sadly his lack of pace was exposed when after he helped promote us to a higher level but the likes of Les Thompson, Chris Vinnicombe, etc but it was his class that shone through in the 3rd tier.

How hasn’t Robbie Blake had a proper mention ?

Magican

Yes, Defour, Barton, Ian Wright, Gary Cahill. Mitchell Thomas lots of good shouts on here...

There will never be another Phil Malley

bfcjg wrote: ↑

Sat Jan 27, 2024 12:03 pm

Predictive text, correct edit
I remember watching Ian Wright's first touch and movement on his debut, it was sensational. Tommy Hutchinson was another who stood out, that said it wasn't difficult in that era.

Andy Cole had a lovely touch too. Never really appreciated how good he was with the ball before he joined us. Always a great goalscorer but i was impressed by his all round play

DXS wrote: ↑

Sat Jan 27, 2024 10:44 am

Joey Barton v Middlesbrough in 1-1 draw at turf, can't remember year but Michael Keane equalised in last minute

April 2016

ClaretTony wrote: ↑

Sat Jan 27, 2024 11:47 am

McGreal, and Sinclair too, were key players for us in the early Cotterill days and I reckon both Cahill and Duff would consider them key players in their careers from whom they learned so much.

Duff mentions McGreal taught him loads at Burnley in the From the Beehole End podcast yesterday

South West Claret. wrote: ↑

Sat Jan 27, 2024 12:15 pm

There will never be another Phil Malley

Thank the Lord

boyyanno wrote: ↑

Sat Jan 27, 2024 12:09 pm

Yeah you're right about Sinclair, was he captain for a while too while we were struggling?

He took the captaincy when Robbie Blake went to Birmingham.

Chester Perry wrote: ↑

Sat Jan 27, 2024 12:41 pm

Duff mentions McGreal taught him loads at Burnley in the From the Beehole End podcast yesterday

I’ve not listened to it yet but I’m not surprised he said it.

Tony Hancock, now he was special.

Dobbo
Kindon
Trevor Steven
Steve Davis
Glen Little
Robbie Blake
Defour
Ian Wright
Andy Cole
Loads of others

A 36?? Year old Andy Cole’s movement and hold up play was unreal.

Claret Till I Die wrote: ↑

Sat Jan 27, 2024 12:43 pm

Thank the Lord

Shaggy wrote: ↑

Sat Jan 27, 2024 11:58 am

Djemba Djemba at the time for us was class, the way he was just able to take the ball first time and find a man with the ball was a cut above what we had.

Yes! Every so often people mention his name and laugh but I always tell them he was class when he played for Burnley. Really stood out.

Now someone has mentioned Dobbo which I would disagree with. Yes he became a wonderful player and certainly was class but anyone remembering his debut will think differently about first impressions.
He arrived on a free from Bolton I believe and was seen as a CF. He played in a home match against Leeds and we won 3-0 I think but he was far from impressive in a CF role. It wasn't until we tried him as an attacking midfielder that he blossomed and went onto become the great player he was. So I never had that wow moment with him.

IPAclaret wrote: ↑

Sat Jan 27, 2024 12:52 pm

Dobbo
Kindon
Trevor Steven
Steve Davis
Glen Little
Robbie Blake
Defour
Ian Wright
Andy Cole
Loads of others

Some very special names there......Not so much class, but in terms of pure, raw excitement Steve Kindon would be high on any list. Midfield players Dobson, Steven, Blake and Defour were exceptional but all of them were a distance behind the incomparable JImmy McIlroy.

As for defenders I always found Keith Newton a joy to watch. It's hard to imagine a more classy full-back pairing than John Angus and Keith Newton......Unfortunately as John retired in 1972, Keith was arriving from Everton at pretty much the same time.

Somebody mentioned Djemba-Djemba above. I remember it was a bit of an underwhelming signing as he'd become a bit ot a joke figure at United, but he was a cut above anyone else in our midfield.

How about a shout for Nathan Dyer?!

Tricky Trevor wrote: ↑

Sat Jan 27, 2024 11:02 am

Trevor Steven. Running our MF at 16yo. I said to a mate at the time, “He’s a gift from god”.
Given away for only £300k.

Everton have done extremely well out of us down the years - Steven was a gem and they had the best of my all time favourite claret Dobson

Chester Perry wrote: ↑

Sat Jan 27, 2024 1:36 pm

Everton have done extremely well out of us down the years - Steven was a gem and they had the best of my all time favourite claret Dobson

Yes and not forgetting Geoff Nulty and going back Dave Thomas.

I remember when we signed Davis back from Luton. We were dire at the time and heading back to div 4. You wouldn't think a centre half could make such a big difference to a team.

One that hasn't been mentioned was 'Rooster'.

Perhaps it is my age but the first one I remember as being talked about as being too good to stay at Burnley for long is Phil Cavanagh

Good shout for McGreal, solid as a rock.
Kevin Reeves was really good until his injury.
The goalie Nicky Walker was good, he didn't stay to long but he was class.

If you asked this question last season I would have answered Josh Cullen.

Defour , though his injury ravaged “in and out” tenure generally only worked at “ cameo “ level .

Oddly I thought Barton , not just his quality play but the way he lifted the place and you just knew he was 100% winner .

dandeclaret wrote: ↑

Sat Jan 27, 2024 12:54 pm

A 36?? Year old Andy Cole’s movement and hold up play was unreal.

Yeah and who was that game against where he chased someone down the tunnel? was it Forest?

Billy Hamilton