Memories of Brian Flynn

Walesfan1978 · Post by **Walesfan1978** » Tue Apr 25, 2017 5:17 pm

Reb wrote:Flynny was my first ever "favourite claret" and I cried when we sold him to Leeds, I told my Dad that maybe I would support Leeds instead of Burnley ( I was about 11 at the time) and he very seriously said to me "that will never be allowed to happen in this house", and I knew he meant it. I met Brian a few times over the years - the last time was sadly at my Dad's funeral 9 years ago - always such a charming, genuine man, tell him hello from Rebekah Jackson.

Can I use this story in the book Rebekah?

THEWELLERNUT70 · Post by **THEWELLERNUT70** » Tue Apr 25, 2017 5:23 pm

I once got my hand drawn picture of Brian Flynn published in Match Weekly Magazine in their Stars Gallery section (circa 1983)

ontario claret · Post by **ontario claret** » Tue Apr 25, 2017 9:19 pm

I have a question for the Wrexham fan. Why do you play in such a large stadium, and have you ever had a sellout?

ontario claret · Post by **ontario claret** » Tue Apr 25, 2017 9:19 pm

Same question for the next Port Vale fan that comes along.

Claretforever · Post by **Claretforever** » Tue Apr 25, 2017 9:52 pm

Wrexham had 13,343 v Arsenal in the 1991-92 cup game they astonishingly won.

Check this Wikipedia article out though. Apparently Wrexham brought 20,000 fans of the 35,000 crowd to the Turf for the FA Cup quarter final in 1974. We had 29,300 v Villa in the previous round. Slight exaggeration from Wrexham?!

ontario claret · Post by **ontario claret** » Tue Apr 25, 2017 10:22 pm

Didn't know that there were even 20,000 people in Wrexham. (And why do you hate Chester so much?)

ontario claret · Post by **ontario claret** » Tue Apr 25, 2017 10:23 pm

What was Turf Moor's capacity at the time? Time to edit that contribution, methinks.

gtclaret · Post by **gtclaret** » Tue Apr 25, 2017 10:24 pm

I remember talking about this young prospect to Dave Blakey in the Wagons Inn after we beat Leicester 2-0 in the League cup around 1975.In the pub with us was Frank
Caster, Mick Doc,Peter Noble and Jim Thompson.I was 18 at the time and excited to meet my hero's.

ontario claret · Post by **ontario claret** » Tue Apr 25, 2017 10:33 pm

I've actually shaken Peter Noble's hand. Haven't washed it since.

BFCmaj · Post by **BFCmaj** » Wed Apr 26, 2017 5:54 am

Back I the late 80s at the age of about 11, I went on a football course in Turf Moor gym which was run by Brian. I wasn't very tall but loved playing in the nets and Brian gave me (and everyone else involved) loads of encouragement. In the end it gave me enough confidence to have trials for the Habergham school team. I ended up getting in the B team as goalie, which was quite a feat for a 5 foot nothing skinny little nervous wreck of an 11 year old! I still have the certificate from the course signed by the man himself.

I don't even live in Burnley any more but I've seen him in Brunshaw Spar and on Burnley Tesco travellator!

ontario claret · Post by **ontario claret** » Thu Apr 27, 2017 9:52 pm

Actually, haven't had a bad or shower since. Maybe this explains my unpopularity.

tim_noone · Post by **tim_noone** » Fri Apr 28, 2017 12:20 am

Siddo wrote:Spent a few hours in his company when he first came to Burnley. I think it was mainly because Liz Oddie was in our group and he had his eyes on her. He later married her. I can remember that his friend at the time was a burnley apprentice called Ian Lewis. Ian was a good lad, and his main hobby seemed to be helping us wind up the park rangers in Thompson Park.

Brian was friendly but I never saw him to speak again after those few meetings.

Was ian lewis the lad he came up from wales with....? Used to hang about rose room

Walesfan1978 · Post by **Walesfan1978** » Fri May 12, 2017 10:28 am

Siddo wrote:Spent a few hours in his company when he first came to Burnley. I think it was mainly because Liz Oddie was in our group and he had his eyes on her. He later married her. I can remember that his friend at the time was a burnley apprentice called Ian Lewis. Ian was a good lad, and his main hobby seemed to be helping us wind up the park rangers in Thompson Park.

Brian was friendly but I never saw him to speak again after those few meetings.

Any chance you could send me an email siddo?

leon_barton@ymail.com

Walesfan1978 · Post by **Walesfan1978** » Fri May 12, 2017 10:38 am

ontario claret wrote:I have a question for the Wrexham fan. Why do you play in such a large stadium, and have you ever had a sellout?

It's not that big really. With the standing only Kop closed the capacity is around 8000. I couldn't get in for the conference play off semi against Luton a few years back. Had to watch in the pub next door. we lost 3-0 anyway...

Biggest Racecourse crowd I've been part of was 25,000. Wales 3 Spain 0 in 1985.

Not long after was the Bradford fire which meant the old wooden Mold Road stand was closed.

Biggest Wrexham crowd I've been part of was 18,000 vs West Ham, FA cup 4th round replay, 1992.

We get pretty good crowds considering we're non-league and the club has never played in the top flight. The population of the town is less than half of Burnley's population.

Personally, I don't 'hate' Chester but it's a pretty fierce rivalry - Chester is seen as the posh English neighbour. Class and nationality comes into it. It's a pretty unique rivalry.

basil6345789 · Post by **basil6345789** » Fri May 12, 2017 11:51 am

Walesfan, my wife once rescued Brian from a chest freezer in our local Spar - thought he was a kid who'd fallen in so she pulled him out. He was not happy.

Chester Perry · Post by **Chester Perry** » Fri May 12, 2017 3:22 pm

This is a nice interview talking about football in the community that Brian was involved in from Day 1 - He and the club were at the very forefront of this initiative in the country

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XVF4QhcSStk" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Walesfan1978 · Post by **Walesfan1978** » Sat May 27, 2017 12:19 pm

Siddo wrote:Spent a few hours in his company when he first came to Burnley. I think it was mainly because Liz Oddie was in our group and he had his eyes on her. He later married her. I can remember that his friend at the time was a burnley apprentice called Ian Lewis. Ian was a good lad, and his main hobby seemed to be helping us wind up the park rangers in Thompson Park.

Brian was friendly but I never saw him to speak again after those few meetings.

Siddo- can I use your line about Ian Lewis in the book please? Can I get your full name?

leon_barton@ymail.com if you'd rather email.

Thanks.

Buxtonclaret · Post by **Buxtonclaret** » Sat May 27, 2017 12:51 pm

Great thread this!
Never met Brian, but reading down its obvious how highly thought of he is.
And what a player he was for us.
Seen him many times in both his spells.
Tough player, good passing, always capable of doing something 'special'.

ClaretTony · Post by **ClaretTony** » Sat May 27, 2017 12:59 pm

Buxtonclaret wrote:Great thread this

I'm not keen on the thread title though, I see it and think the worst even though I was talking to him only this week.

Walesfan1978 · Post by **Walesfan1978** » Sat May 27, 2017 1:18 pm

ClaretTony wrote:I'm not keen on the thread title though, I see it and think the worst even though I was talking to him only this week.

ha! yeah, sorry. Maybe should have gone with something else.

claret wizard · Post by **claret wizard** » Sat May 27, 2017 6:19 pm

I saw him Tesco last week, read this thread and thought the same Tony!

claretblue · Post by **claretblue** » Sat May 27, 2017 6:42 pm

'...I see it and think the worst even though I was talking to him only this week...'

Imagine what Brian would think if he read the thread title!

Walesfan1978 · Post by **Walesfan1978** » Wed Nov 15, 2017 3:56 pm

Hi everyone. The book is available to pre-order now from the publishers website here: http://www.ashleydrake.cymru/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Or from amazon here: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Brian-Flynn-Li ... nder+brian" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Hopefully it'll be available in the club shop from the first weekend in December too.

If you see Brian in Tesco I'm sure he'd be happy to sign it for you.

Thanks again for your help with some of the info in this thread. Was really helpful.

Cheers!

The Enclosure · Post by **The Enclosure** » Wed Nov 15, 2017 4:42 pm

The down travelator in Tesco that Brian is always riding has been awaiting repair for months now.
........Brian must be devastated lol .Good luck with the book sales.

houseboy · Post by **houseboy** » Wed Nov 15, 2017 4:59 pm

Fabulous little player but my one main memory is not a good one really. Back in the 70's when we played at home to Charlton in the old 2nd division I think it was. They were winning 1-4 at half time and we pulled it back to draw 4-4 but Brian missed at sitter late on or we would have won 5-4. Fantastic player though.

Marney&Mee · Post by **Marney&Mee** » Wed Nov 15, 2017 5:11 pm

kinel, I thought he'd passed away again...

Walesfan1978 · Post by **Walesfan1978** » Thu Nov 16, 2017 12:44 pm

Marney&Mee wrote:kinel, I thought he'd passed away again...

You can have memories of someone who's still alive y'know!

JinkingJames · Post by **JinkingJames** » Thu Nov 16, 2017 4:38 pm

We were playing three and your in on Barden Rec and Brian Flynn walked over to us in his bell bottoms and platform shoes and joined in with us. Down to earth bloke.

ontario claret · Post by **ontario claret** » Sun Nov 19, 2017 7:40 pm

"Wrexham fan". I thought you were on the endangered species list.

Walesfan1978 · Post by **Walesfan1978** » Wed Jan 24, 2018 1:09 pm

anyone read the book yet?

willing to listen to any (constructive) criticism! (I can take it .... I think)

Thanks to everyone who replied for your help. Would have struggled with certain sections of the book without input from this messageboard.

Sutton-Claret · Post by **Sutton-Claret** » Wed Jan 24, 2018 3:05 pm

Thanks for the reminder - I've just ordered it on Amazon

Rodleydave · Post by **Rodleydave** » Wed Jan 24, 2018 3:13 pm

Good read and a good addition to any Burnley FC bookshelf.

bob-the-scutter · Post by **bob-the-scutter** » Wed Jan 24, 2018 4:38 pm

Walesfan1978 wrote:anyone read the book yet?

willing to listen to any (constructive) criticism! (I can take it .... I think)

Thanks to everyone who replied for your help. Would have struggled with certain sections of the book without input from this messageboard.

Great reminder. I'll get it ordered and let you know.
Did siddo get back to you. I can contact him for you if not .
Laney.

Siddo · Post by **Siddo** » Wed Jan 24, 2018 4:43 pm

bob-the-scutter wrote:Great reminder. I'll get it ordered and let you know.
Did siddo get back to you. I can contact him for you if not .
Laney.

Sorted it at the time Bob.

bob-the-scutter · Post by **bob-the-scutter** » Wed Jan 24, 2018 5:01 pm

Cheers mate. Just ordered it from Amazon.
Soon to be available in all good charity shops.

Walesfan1978 · Post by **Walesfan1978** » Thu Jan 25, 2018 1:36 pm

Rodleydave wrote:Good read and a good addition to any Burnley FC bookshelf.

Many thanks Dave.

Walesfan1978 · Post by **Walesfan1978** » Thu Jan 25, 2018 1:38 pm

If you don't want to wait until it's available in charity shops you can buy it online here: http://www.ashleydrake.cymru/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

And here: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Brian-Flynn-Li ... tle+wonder" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

I think (hope) it's available at the club shop too.

3putt · Post by **3putt** » Thu Jan 25, 2018 5:33 pm

bfcjg wrote:Great player,mobile,aggresive and could a pass out. Linked defence and midfield very well. Still one of my favourite chants was singing mighty Flynn to the mighty Quinn song.

The days when we had some good songs!

bob-the-scutter · Post by **bob-the-scutter** » Thu Jan 25, 2018 6:18 pm

Arrived less than 12 hours after I ordered it.

Already well into it. A very good read!

Walesfan1978 · Post by **Walesfan1978** » Fri Jan 26, 2018 12:20 pm

bob-the-scutter wrote:Arrived less than 12 hours after I ordered it.
Already well into it. A very good read!

Thanks! Hope you continue to enjoy it.

Brian should be doing a signing session in Burnley when we can find a suitable date. Will let you know more when I know more.

houseboy · Post by **houseboy** » Fri Jan 26, 2018 12:54 pm

Claretforever wrote:Wrexham had 13,343 v Arsenal in the 1991-92 cup game they astonishingly won.

Check this Wikipedia article out though. Apparently Wrexham brought 20,000 fans of the 35,000 crowd to the Turf for the FA Cup quarter final in 1974. We had 29,300 v Villa in the previous round. Slight exaggeration from Wrexham?!

That was the game before our ridiculous defeat in the semis by Malcolm Macdonald. I say Macdonald because we played them off the park and he scored twice in two breakaways. They were deservedly beaten 3-0 in the final by Liverpool in one of the most one-sided finals in years after 'Supermac' said 'Wembley will be my stage, watch me go'. It wasn't and he didn't. Scousers said we would have been better opponents.

I doubt the accuracy of the Wikipedia figures though. I'm pretty sure Wrexham didn't have over half the crowd. Remember that Wikipedia is posted and edited by 'contributors', many with a vested interest in the subject. As you so rightly point out the figures from previous games and the fact that we were a First Division club at the time don't hold up. We did, however, mysteriously send back tickets for the semi v Newcastle/Macdonald. That has always baffled me and we were somewhat criticised for it at the time. We were hopelessly outnumbered by the barcodes. The odd thing is some years later we took 40k to Wembley for a 3rd division play-off v Stockport and a similar number for the Sherpa final v Wolves. That semi-final 'lack of support' will remain a mystery forever I suppose.

Dark Cloud · Post by **Dark Cloud** » Fri Jan 26, 2018 3:53 pm

houseboy wrote:That was the game before our ridiculous defeat in the semis by Malcolm Macdonald. I say Macdonald because we played them off the park and he scored twice in two breakaways. They were deservedly beaten 3-0 in the final by Liverpool in one of the most one-sided finals in years after 'Supermac' said 'Wembley will be my stage, watch me go'. It wasn't and he didn't. Scousers said we would have been better opponents.

I doubt the accuracy of the Wikipedia figures though. I'm pretty sure Wrexham didn't have over half the crowd. Remember that Wikipedia is posted and edited by 'contributors', many with a vested interest in the subject. As you so rightly point out the figures from previous games and the fact that we were a First Division club at the time don't hold up. We did, however, mysteriously send back tickets for the semi v Newcastle/Macdonald. That has always baffled me and we were somewhat criticised for it at the time. We were hopelessly outnumbered by the barcodes. The odd thing is some years later we took 40k to Wembley for a 3rd division play-off v Stockport and a similar number for the Sherpa final v Wolves. That semi-final 'lack of support' will remain a mystery forever I suppose.

The Geordies even sang "you couldn't sell your tickets" at us at the semi (and at later games) which was a tad embarrassing. I believe we sold around 18,000 for the semi, but as said we were hopelessly outnumbered and I even remember seeing it in the press (with pictures and interviews) that Geordies who were denied tickets at Newcastle came to Burnley and bought them freely at the ticket office before we sent a chunk back. I often wonder if many people felt the semi was a formality and were just expecting to be going to the cup final so gave the semi a miss.
As for the Wrexham quarter final, I agree. The official crowd is given as about 38,000 and yes, there were a lot of Wrexham there, but no way over half the attendance. The Longside was absolutely jammed (all Burnley) and no fencing then, so ALL the way along and the Wrexham fans took up residence at the back of the Bee Hole, but the Bee Hole was by no means all Wrexham as we were stood on there for much of the game, including for Casper's goal.

ElectroClaret · Post by **ElectroClaret** » Fri Jan 26, 2018 4:12 pm

I remember his testimonial when Jack Butterfield tried to trip him up a few times.

And JB was the ref!

CaptJohn · Post by **CaptJohn** » Sat Jan 27, 2018 6:34 am

I'll give you a little story.
Something like 20 years ago my son went to a birthday party at Chester's ground on Bumpers Lane, Chester. Part of the activities was a game of 7 a side on the pitch. Who should be in charge but a certain Mr Flynn. My son was wearing whatever the latest Burnley shirt was in them days. During the game Flynny came over to my son and had a natter. Asked my son if he supported the Clarets. When my son said yes Flynny lifted up his tracksuit top to reveal a Burnley shirt and smiled.

I always felt that Flynny was a true Claret.

andysisson · Post by **andysisson** » Sat Jan 27, 2018 10:45 am

Just bought it
Looking forward to to reading it.

Walesfan1978 · Post by **Walesfan1978** » Sat Jan 27, 2018 4:00 pm

andysisson wrote:Just bought it
Looking forward to to reading it.

Thanks! I'm sure Brian would be happy to sign it for you too. Say hi to Brian and Liz from me next time you see them.

CaptJohn · Post by **CaptJohn** » Sat Jan 27, 2018 5:26 pm

You'll never believe this but I had a chat to him this morning and told him about this thread. I met him on a coach whilst we were being transferred from the Terminal at Frankfurt Airport to the Manchester bound Lufthansa flight. He'd been in Frankfurt to watch last nights match against Munchinggladrags which Eintracht won 2-0. He wouldn't say who he was looking at but you can bet your bottom dollar Swansea are considering someone on view in that match.
Flynny if you read this, it was a nice maneuver to get ahead of me at passport control in Manchester

Walesfan1978 · Post by **Walesfan1978** » Mon Jan 29, 2018 1:05 pm

CaptJohn wrote:You'll never believe this but I had a chat to him this morning and told him about this thread. I met him on a coach whilst we were being transferred from the Terminal at Frankfurt Airport to the Manchester bound Lufthansa flight. He'd been in Frankfurt to watch last nights match against Munchinggladrags which Eintracht won 2-0. He wouldn't say who he was looking at but you can bet your bottom dollar Swansea are considering someone on view in that match.
Flynny if you read this, it was a nice maneuver to get ahead of me at passport control in Manchester

He spends so much time flying in and out of Manchester airport that he knows what he'd doing there!

Walesfan1978 · Post by **Walesfan1978** » Mon Feb 12, 2018 2:00 pm

Brian's going to be at the club shop for a signing session on Thursday 22nd February: https://www.facebook.com/StDavidsPress/ ... =3&theater" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;