Earliest BFC memories

tiger76 · Post by **tiger76** » Mon Dec 14, 2020 5:46 pm

My earliest BFC recollection was receiving a programme in the mid 80's, that said programme was of our away leg of our LC tie with Man Utd, of course we got pumped 4-0 and 3-0 in that 2-legged affair, but that programme given to me by my uncle was a glimpse into the life of Burnley football club, admittedly not the best period in our long history, but as an 8 year old i was immediately hooked, and that hook never leaves you no matter where you happen to move too in the world.

That's a relatively brief anecdote, and I'm sure some of you guys will have much more vivid recollections of your first BFC memories, both good and bad.

joey13 · Post by **joey13** » Mon Dec 14, 2020 5:48 pm

Ewood Park 1970 , absolute carnage

Dazzler · Post by **Dazzler** » Mon Dec 14, 2020 5:49 pm

1968 FA Youth Cup Final

elwaclaret · Post by **elwaclaret** » Mon Dec 14, 2020 5:51 pm

Going in the old club shop (where it is now) the long counter with everything on view behind the serving staff. It was so exciting to see so much Burnley tat in one place. Getting a scarf and programme and watching Burnley triumph 2-1 against Notts County, Sept 1978 heady stuff for a seven year old

(Edit just checked the date)

Longsider · Post by **Longsider** » Mon Dec 14, 2020 5:55 pm

1975. At home v Wolves. We got stuffed 5-1

ClaretTony · Post by **ClaretTony** » Mon Dec 14, 2020 6:00 pm

I know what my first game was (first team) but I'd been going to the reserve games before that. Not sure what my first memory was but I do remember my dad taking me to see the players after we'd won the league in 1960 which was before I'd started going.

Steve-Harpers-perm · Post by **Steve-Harpers-perm** » Mon Dec 14, 2020 6:03 pm

Beating Exeter at home in November 1985.

Erasmus · Post by **Erasmus** » Mon Dec 14, 2020 6:04 pm

My earliest memory is the win over Hamburg in the European Cup in 1961. Live on TV in black and white with Kenneth Wolstenholme commentating. Near enough sixty years ago now.

RMutt · Post by **RMutt** » Mon Dec 14, 2020 6:14 pm

Being lifted over the turnstile to get in for nothing. Short pants so freezing legs in winter. Getting told off from a policeman for sitting with my legs dangling over the wall in the paddock. Marvelling at the mystery of the half time score system.

gawthorpe_view · Post by **gawthorpe_view** » Mon Dec 14, 2020 6:17 pm

Longsider wrote: ↑
Mon Dec 14, 2020 5:55 pm
1975. At home v Wolves. We got stuffed 5-1

That was a bad day.
Freezing, dark, chucking it down.
Stuffed out of sight, Kindon ran us ragged.
Relegation beckoned.

Mondsley · Post by **Mondsley** » Mon Dec 14, 2020 6:18 pm

My first game was Chelsea 1961 4 4. First real memory Spurs at home the season after. Won 2 1. Crowd was 49000. They were letting people sit on the perimeter at the Bee Hole End.

JohnMac · Post by **JohnMac** » Mon Dec 14, 2020 6:18 pm

My first game as an 10 year old having moved here from Colchester was v Everton in February 1966. I had seen pictures of Burnley and in particular Willie Irvine and remember snippets of the title battle with Ipswich when I was younger but they were east Anglian biased.

Once I entered through those turnstiles though it was a memory never to be forgotten.

ian · Post by **ian** » Mon Dec 14, 2020 6:32 pm

A Joe Neenan save at the Cricket Field end in the Orient game. I remember that more than the goals (which I don't actually remember); I was only 10.

Steve1956 · Post by **Steve1956** » Mon Dec 14, 2020 6:36 pm

Standing in the front bit of what is now the Bob Lord stand

tim_noone · Post by **tim_noone** » Mon Dec 14, 2020 6:38 pm

Steve1956 wrote: ↑
Mon Dec 14, 2020 6:36 pm
Standing in the front bit of what is now the Bob Lord stand

The Enclosure steve.....

Steve1956 · Post by **Steve1956** » Mon Dec 14, 2020 6:42 pm

Probably my earliest memory was when Alex Elder blazed a shot at goal might have been in the warm up or the actual game I was stood just to the left of the bee hole goal and it was heading straight for my face...so I headed it back onto the field,everyone cheered,I smiled but boy did it hurt.

claretblue · Post by **claretblue** » Mon Dec 14, 2020 6:43 pm

Erasmus wrote: ↑
Mon Dec 14, 2020 6:04 pm
My earliest memory is the win over Hamburg in the European Cup in 1961. Live on TV in black and white with Kenneth Wolstenholme commentating. Near enough sixty years ago now.

60 years ago on 18th January!

my 1st memory was the replay at Hamburg 15th March 1961

lost 4 - 1...2nd half live on TV about 4:00pm (Gordon Harris scored our goal!)

Steve1956 · Post by **Steve1956** » Mon Dec 14, 2020 6:43 pm

tim_noone wrote: ↑
Mon Dec 14, 2020 6:38 pm
The Enclosure steve.....

Capital S Tim

tim_noone · Post by **tim_noone** » Mon Dec 14, 2020 6:44 pm

Stim Noone.

Claretmisterg · Post by **Claretmisterg** » Mon Dec 14, 2020 6:47 pm

Watching the 1962 FA Cup Final on TV with my Dad. I was 6 and couldn’t get over the fact that “our Burnley” where we went to the shops were on the telly. That was it for me.

Steve1956 · Post by **Steve1956** » Mon Dec 14, 2020 6:50 pm

The programme costing 3d
And a cartoon of a referee on the back page advertising Massey's beer I think it was.

Colburn_Claret · Post by **Colburn_Claret** » Mon Dec 14, 2020 6:50 pm

No idea of the match but I was small enough to ride on my Dads shoulders.
I'd guess about 61.
More vivid memories of going back to my Nans in Hassy after the match, and going to the corner shop to get the Pink and the match reports.

Grumps · Post by **Grumps** » Mon Dec 14, 2020 6:51 pm

Stood on the terracing at the cricketfield end.. Mid 60s, think we won 4 or 5.1...but cannot remember who against.

Steve1956 · Post by **Steve1956** » Mon Dec 14, 2020 6:51 pm

Watson's of Bolton on the floodlights....well I think it was Watson's

Oshkoshclaret · Post by **Oshkoshclaret** » Mon Dec 14, 2020 6:55 pm

0-1 vs Notts County August 1979, age 7. Stood in the sunshine on the Bee Hole end. Dad complaining about the cost of going on. People dressed head to foot in denim, drinking beer from plastic cups. Our goalie made a save and dad said it was one of the best saves I'll ever see.

That's all I can remember.

ChrisG · Post by **ChrisG** » Mon Dec 14, 2020 7:18 pm

Rolling a Matchbox car down a near empty Bee Hole End, circa 87

Carnsmerry12 · Post by **Carnsmerry12** » Mon Dec 14, 2020 7:23 pm

1962 cup final. Aged 6, living in a village in Hampshire. The first day of an incredible journey for me.

durhamclaret · Post by **durhamclaret** » Mon Dec 14, 2020 7:36 pm

Not my first game, but remember the Lancs cup final v Barrow( 70s) think we won on penalties, anyone else remember that game?

cricketfieldclarets · Post by **cricketfieldclarets** » Mon Dec 14, 2020 7:59 pm

Wembley 1988. My first ever memory. Remember crying sat under the crush barriers as the police wouldn’t let me sit on them. And remember running around the stand. It’s on the official video. Got a copy off here and the other day got another copy just in case. Hopefully is the same copy I had as a kid. Not managed to check them yet.

Also remember giving my cap to one of the players at the end. Think it was deakin or Pearce.

Don’t remember the game itself.

First distinct memories of games were York 1992. Wrexham 1992. Robbie painter scoring after 16 seconds and I’d decided not to go on (was it Maidstone) and sheff Utd fa cup away and at home 1993(?)

Here’s a pic from 88. Under said barriers.

tim_noone · Post by **tim_noone** » Mon Dec 14, 2020 8:07 pm

Ray Deakin or Ian Britton....its on the Local video not the official Andy Gray one.it was a big occasion to say you were only 3 n a bit....

FeedTheArf · Post by **FeedTheArf** » Mon Dec 14, 2020 8:13 pm

A game in the 94/95 season with my dad (a normally very placid man) and thinking he was going to have a heart attack as I’d never heard him shout that loud as Ted McMinn was bombing down the wing, “Go on Burnley!!!!”

Steve1956 · Post by **Steve1956** » Mon Dec 14, 2020 8:13 pm

cricketfieldclarets wrote: ↑
Mon Dec 14, 2020 7:59 pm
Wembley 1988. My first ever memory. Remember crying sat under the crush barriers as the police wouldn’t let me sit on them. And remember running around the stand. It’s on the official video. Got a copy off here and the other day got another copy just in case. Hopefully is the same copy I had as a kid. Not managed to check them yet.

Also remember giving my cap to one of the players at the end. Think it was deakin or Pearce.

Don’t remember the game itself.

First distinct memories of games were York 1992. Wrexham 1992. Robbie painter scoring after 16 seconds and I’d decided not to go on (was it Maidstone) and sheff Utd fa cup away and at home 1993(?)

Here’s a pic from 88. Under said barriers.

Is that your nanny stood to your right?

Inchy · Post by **Inchy** » Mon Dec 14, 2020 8:14 pm

First ever memory was walking up to the BLS in the early 90s and being amazed by the amount of people about

Also remember at an open day (the one where Adrian Randall juggled the ball around the pitch) losing my dad because I followed a short fat bloke who looked just like him. I told a steward and ended up in he chairman’s room waiting to be collected by my dad. Up until a few years ago I still saw the BigDave look a like at the turf but not seen him for a while. Someone must know the year of this based on the Ady Randell bit.

Also remember being at an away game and the players were trying to ping balls into the net during the warm up. Liam Robinson pinged one which flew miles wide and was going straight for my face. My dad put his hand up and saved me but broke his wrist In the process hahaha. Sums up Liam Robinson

Too many memories going to away games with Burnley Supporters Club. My dad brought me and my brother up on his own since I was a baby so money was tight. He always said every summer “we can either go on holiday abroad or I can take you to as many away games as possible” we always went for the away games. I had several ‘Dental appointments’ on Tuesday afternoons. The teachers must have wondered what were wrong with my teeth! Nothing! We were on a coach to Bournemouth to watch Burnley.

Its memories like this that I cherish and will always be grateful that my dad made me a claret

dougcollins · Post by **dougcollins** » Mon Dec 14, 2020 8:39 pm

Getting beat by Arsenal, no surprises there then. TM 1969. George Graham was playing for Arsenal.

Rowls · Post by **Rowls** » Mon Dec 14, 2020 8:46 pm

The pitch and stadium revealing itself when walking out from the gangway beneath the seats.

The stand was the Len Weston Stand at Edgar Street, Hereford.

It all looked immense back then.

Devils_Advocate · Post by **Devils_Advocate** » Mon Dec 14, 2020 8:48 pm

First memory for me was a group of us on our street all getting the yellow poco away strip '82. I'm sure we all got a different players name on the back and I wanted Steven but being the youngest had to take what I was given

Rowls · Post by **Rowls** » Mon Dec 14, 2020 8:53 pm

Inchy wrote: ↑
Mon Dec 14, 2020 8:14 pm
Also remember being at an away game and the players were trying to ping balls into the net during the warm up. Liam Robinson pinged one which flew miles wide and was going straight for my face. My dad put his hand up and saved me but broke his wrist In the process hahaha. Sums up Liam Robinson

Wasn't Bradford was it Inchy?

I remember something like that happening at Bradford but I was in the adjacent stand watching the Burnley fans. Can't remember if we'd had to go in the home end or there were two stands set aside for us that day.

Think we won 0-1 which was a rarity away from home but the memory cheats.

sixtiesclaret · Post by **sixtiesclaret** » Mon Dec 14, 2020 8:54 pm

Early 1960s first home match of the season stood on what is now the cricketfield stand lost 3-1 to everton all i can remember is ray pointer got our goal magical atmosphere for a young lad.

Fenwick · Post by **Fenwick** » Mon Dec 14, 2020 8:56 pm

cricketfieldclarets wrote: ↑
Mon Dec 14, 2020 7:59 pm
Wembley 1988. My first ever memory. Remember crying sat under the crush barriers as the police wouldn’t let me sit on them. And remember running around the stand. It’s on the official video. Got a copy off here and the other day got another copy just in case. Hopefully is the same copy I had as a kid. Not managed to check them yet.

Also remember giving my cap to one of the players at the end. Think it was deakin or Pearce.

Don’t remember the game itself.

First distinct memories of games were York 1992. Wrexham 1992. Robbie painter scoring after 16 seconds and I’d decided not to go on (was it Maidstone) and sheff Utd fa cup away and at home 1993(?)

Here’s a pic from 88. Under said barriers.

I think this photo sums up the whole awful / wonderful experience. Glad it didn't scar you for life !

Rowls · Post by **Rowls** » Mon Dec 14, 2020 8:57 pm

Rowls wrote: ↑
Mon Dec 14, 2020 8:53 pm
Wasn't Bradford was it Inchy?

I remember something like that happening at Bradford but I was in the adjacent stand watching the Burnley fans. Can't remember if we'd had to go in the home end or there were two stands set aside for us that day.

Think we won 0-1 which was a rarity away from home but the memory cheats.

If I've remembered the score correctly it would be 16th October 1993 according to the nice historic results feature on this site.

Adrian Heath scored our goal.

BFCmaj · Post by **BFCmaj** » Mon Dec 14, 2020 9:05 pm

Standing on the Beehole End with my dad in the late 70s. No idea of the opponent but remember the noise from the Longside and playing with my scarf by wrapping it around the crush barriers. My younger brother didn’t want to cone on the game, instead he opted to go to the circus.

Silkyskills1 · Post by **Silkyskills1** » Mon Dec 14, 2020 9:12 pm

Colburn_Claret wrote: ↑
Mon Dec 14, 2020 6:50 pm
No idea of the match but I was small enough to ride on my Dads shoulders.
I'd guess about 61.
More vivid memories of going back to my Nans in Hassy after the match, and going to the corner shop to get the Pink and the match reports.

That sounds like Driver's on Bury Rd. in Haslingden. I was dispatched there most Saturday evenings about 6.20 for the 'Sports' by my dad and brothers but was then invariably the last one to read it. Wonderful era.

bfcjg · Post by **bfcjg** » Mon Dec 14, 2020 9:16 pm

Late sixties, holding my dads hand amazed at the noise,colour,smell of the smoke,the singing, the crowds the focus of the day the fantastic team in Claret and blue. I was hooked from that moment.

edlass · Post by **edlass** » Mon Dec 14, 2020 9:28 pm

I remember being scared by the announcement before matches. It was loud and frightening and I don't know why. It would say something about keeping all gangways and emergency exits clear.

That and watching birds flying around the new long side construction whilst my dad nudged me because I had missed something. First game 1-1 draw with Wycombe in 95.

expoultryboy · Post by **expoultryboy** » Mon Dec 14, 2020 9:38 pm

Eintracht Frankfurt and being transfixed by the floodlights .

cricketfieldclarets · Post by **cricketfieldclarets** » Mon Dec 14, 2020 9:54 pm

Inchy wrote: ↑
Mon Dec 14, 2020 8:14 pm
First ever memory was walking up to the BLS in the early 90s and being amazed by the amount of people about

Also remember at an open day (the one where Adrian Randall juggled the ball around the pitch) losing my dad because I followed a short fat bloke who looked just like him. I told a steward and ended up in he chairman’s room waiting to be collected by my dad. Up until a few years ago I still saw the BigDave look a like at the turf but not seen him for a while. Someone must know the year of this based on the Ady Randell bit.

Also remember being at an away game and the players were trying to ping balls into the net during the warm up. Liam Robinson pinged one which flew miles wide and was going straight for my face. My dad put his hand up and saved me but broke his wrist In the process hahaha. Sums up Liam Robinson

Too many memories going to away games with Burnley Supporters Club. My dad brought me and my brother up on his own since I was a baby so money was tight. He always said every summer “we can either go on holiday abroad or I can take you to as many away games as possible” we always went for the away games. I had several ‘Dental appointments’ on Tuesday afternoons. The teachers must have wondered what were wrong with my teeth! Nothing! We were on a coach to Bournemouth to watch Burnley.

Its memories like this that I cherish and will always be grateful that my dad made me a claret

That’s a great post. And can relate to it.

I was in class at school with claret Tony’s nephew. And I remember him leaving early on a Tuesday once to go to Shrewsbury and I was gutted I didn’t go. But remember around the same time bumping into my uncle in town one Saturday and he was at the bank getting some money before going to Mansfield away. And he took me. Those spontaneous trips don’t happen any more with all ticket etc.

As for the short bloke who looked like your dad. I don’t know your dad. But for some reason for the lookalike I’ve a got a bloke in mind I used to see every home game without fail. Short fella. Had A proper power March on him. Black hair. Balding. Perhaps long at the back and a tash. Not see him for years but then saw him at a game this last year and he hadn’t changed. May not be the same fella. But based on your description could well be. Used to always March up Harry Potts way.

Burnley1989 · Post by **Burnley1989** » Mon Dec 14, 2020 9:57 pm

Sitting in the cricket field with my Dad and his mates, think my dad was banned at the time as I always remember his season ticket had someone else’s name on the picture card.

I remember the free tickets from soccer school and the last game on the longside, I remember the away games around that time more as I’d go to most. I’d been to around 40-50 grounds by the time I was 10/11

cricketfieldclarets · Post by **cricketfieldclarets** » Mon Dec 14, 2020 9:58 pm

Fenwick wrote: ↑
Mon Dec 14, 2020 8:56 pm
I think this photo sums up the whole awful / wonderful experience. Glad it didn't scar you for life !

Absolutely. We were awful but the memories weren’t.

The next trip to Wembley was a bit more memorable.

claptrappers_union · Post by **claptrappers_union** » Mon Dec 14, 2020 10:05 pm

The earliest, earliest memory is being at my Grandmas and my dad shouting ‘Come on you Clarets!’ down the phone.

‘Carrots?’ I must’ve only been 6 or something - maybe he’d been to the Orient game, I might’ve been younger?

Then my mum and dad took me to to the last home match of a season circa 1988-90, we sat in Bob Lord Stand, I can’t remember the match or anything, other than people running on the pitch at the end - but the main reason I remember going is because we took the camcorder with us. I wonder if we still have the footage somewhere?

My third memory is stood in the Bee Hole End looking at the back-pocket on someone’s bum... I also saw someone from my class when we were leaving. I remember the flood lights and it was quite cold... I reckon that was around 1990. Didn’t enjoy it though.

Then in 1992/93 I was having tea and my Dad was getting ready to go to the Turf. I asked if I could go (because it meant I could stay up later).

1993/94 we had a season ticket.

cricketfieldclarets · Post by **cricketfieldclarets** » Mon Dec 14, 2020 10:09 pm

I also remember playing Ajax. How could I forget that. It seemed huge. Pretty sure the keeper had a pink kit on. Was it van der sar? We were in the beehole. Rarely went there but also did for an under 21 game against Latvia where Ian Pearce got booed. And I may be wrong about date and opposition but certain I went in on a Friday night in November in an fa cup game against Walsall.

Went on the cfs for England schoolboys too. That must have been early 90s.

By 93 most of the memories are pretty much there. Loved the players. Used to go to the soccer schools and they even came to visit me when I was in hospital for three months.

Tuff like that makes you stay a claret.