Comments
Highs feel better after so many lows
2009-05-26 10:13:12
As I was saying ... there is nothing quite like football; for anticipatory anxiety, stress during the game itself (not to mention FIVE minutes of injuty time) then joy overflowing in the moment of victory and the hours which follow it.
Nor is there anything like it for prompting a warm response from others and I want to start by apologising - for not replying to all of the texts, emails, facebook messages and tweets that flowed in last night after Burnley's promotion to the Premiership.
I did try to, but there were pages and pages of them, Facebook alone going well into three figures, and I gave up after a while. Not everyone was wishing me happy birthday and saying well done Burnley. Like the tweet, clearly from one of my biggest admirers, saying he could not wait to see my face next year when Burnley get relegated and Labour lose the election. On verra, just as on verra whether all those 'six points guaranteed for us' messages from figures as varied as Piers Morgan (Arsenal), Andy Burnham (Everton) and Jack Straw (Blackburn) turn out to be a tad cocky.
Did I not say here yesterday that we would win 1-0? I wish I'd broken the habit of a lifetime and put a bet on it. But money could not buy the feelings of the 36,000 Burnley fans who were there yesterday, and the thousands who will turn out for the victory parade today.
It is partly because we have had so many lows that the highs feel so good. Founder member of the League, Champions in 1959/60, relegated from the top flight in 1976, almost relegated right out of the League in 1987. We used to be regulars at Old Trafford and Anfield and Highbury. Sudddenly Hartlepool, Chesterield and Darlington became the standard fare for Burnley fans.
And now we're back. People kept asking if it was as good as the election win in 1997. But as I record in my diaries, maybe it was the stress or the knowledge of what was to come in starting a big new job the next day, but I did not enjoy the night of victory. Last night, I enjoyed every minute.
We joined chairman Barry Kilby, manager Owen Coyle, some of the players and their families, for an impromptu celebration in a London hotel. Our goalscorer, Wade Elliott, just could not stop smiling. The event was enlivened by a group of Celtic players - their centre half Gary is brother of our captain Stevie Caldwell - who seemed to have learned all the Burnley songs in one day supporting the club.
Coyle, who really does have something a bit special about him, was looking after his 78-year-old Mum Frances. Some of the players may be waking up with sore heads, but not him. He is a lifelong teetotaler.
This evening they will be on an open topped bus taking in the applause of a town whose entire population could fit into Wembley stadium. I am really proud to have been asked by the council to MC part of the procedings. So not for the first Tuesday this year, I am heading north. I still can't quite believe we have done it.
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George Best and Martin McGuinnessPublish date: 2009-04-27 09:02:35
Cameron confused over indepdendence and impartialityPublish date: 2009-04-26 12:20:56
Guide ro Marathon running part 2Publish date: 2009-04-25 11:01:34
Good signals on coal and the OlympicsPublish date: 2009-04-24 10:45:28
Tips for the London MarathonPublish date: 2009-04-23 17:29:27
Missed the Budget, saw why it matteredPublish date: 2009-04-22 23:09:31
Football good, politics bad. AllegedlyPublish date: 2009-04-22 00:00:24
The Great Wall gets greaterPublish date: 2009-04-21 09:55:22
Two sides to police storyPublish date: 2009-04-20 11:39:54
Budgets, Balls, billionaires and Susan BoylePublish date: 2009-04-19 12:31:45
Do muscles have memories?Publish date: 2009-04-18 09:44:44
Bring back standing at footballPublish date: 2009-04-17 14:50:22
When Facebook friends fall outPublish date: 2009-04-16 12:29:16
Guardian sightings and the email and bath plug agendaPublish date: 2009-04-15 11:32:16
The spin is all in the prismPublish date: 2009-04-14 09:22:41
A setback, not a crisisPublish date: 2009-04-13 12:55:19
The real lessons from Damian McBridePublish date: 2009-04-12 10:49:47
Will English always be the dominant language?Publish date: 2009-04-11 10:02:02
On the pipes and what makes a ScotPublish date: 2009-04-10 11:06:20
John Prescott lazy? NO WAYPublish date: 2009-04-09 09:11:31
David Frost is seventyPublish date: 2009-04-08 08:48:38
The Speaker, BBC2, tonight and tomorrow 8pmPublish date: 2009-04-07 14:25:31
Obama, colds and being woken by Korean missilesPublish date: 2009-04-06 11:59:24
When a call matters more than protocolPublish date: 2009-04-05 11:33:42
Green Cities Champions LeaguePublish date: 2009-04-04 10:19:53
Could Cameron have delivered the G20 deal?Publish date: 2009-04-03 10:11:59
Of Benn and BonoPublish date: 2009-04-02 08:21:16
Memo to Sarko - allez vite a LondresPublish date: 2009-04-01 08:46:17
Happy April Fool's DayPublish date: 2009-04-01 01:44:05
Eurostar, Le Monde and a thought for the G20 sherpasPublish date: 2009-03-31 09:17:22
Why Kevin Rudd made an impactPublish date: 2009-03-30 10:24:41
Pre-G20 hype matters less than post-G20 processPublish date: 2009-03-29 13:17:28
The Damned UnitedPublish date: 2009-03-28 10:37:04
A hobby horse, a plug and a bit of sportPublish date: 2009-03-27 10:22:23
Cloughie - he had a lot to be big-headed aboutPublish date: 2009-03-26 09:38:36
A sad sight of the old fearing the youngPublish date: 2009-03-25 17:03:07
Post-modern, post-structural, or bullshit?Publish date: 2009-03-25 08:18:02
Learning the right lessons from ObamaPublish date: 2009-03-24 08:53:15
Lazy Dave needs to keep an eye on lazy KenPublish date: 2009-03-23 11:16:14
Farewell favourite restaurant, hello hometownPublish date: 2009-03-22 08:18:09
Dave, Danny and have the Tories really changed?Publish date: 2009-03-21 08:55:13
Life beyond Dover ...Publish date: 2009-03-20 10:11:21
My friends in The New Statesman - Fergie, Fiona, Tony, Sarah, Kevin, 'Dacre,' and a great GB idea for the G20Publish date: 2009-03-18 10:38:22
Iraq, Iran, GB, Obama and diplomatic chessPublish date: 2009-03-17 10:07:13
The Age of StupidPublish date: 2009-03-16 08:27:13
Is all change good?Publish date: 2009-03-15 10:00:06
The pressure of being a post-modern sex godPublish date: 2009-03-14 10:00:55
Cameron still hasn't sealed the deal with businessPublish date: 2009-03-13 09:21:49
Stand up for social workersPublish date: 2009-03-12 08:31:17
Surely Malcolm Tucker could have told Armando Ianucci ... You can't spin a spinnerPublish date: 2009-03-11 10:58:25
Start of a new approach from Labour?Publish date: 2009-03-10 09:54:12
A peace process still strongPublish date: 2009-03-09 08:21:05
Day of destiny for the real footballer of the yearPublish date: 2009-03-08 09:21:06
Private advice to Peggy Mitchell - the leaked note in fullPublish date: 2009-03-07 08:17:21
Boris, the Tories and the tummy-tickling poodle pressPublish date: 2009-03-06 09:49:37
A day in the life of the self-obsessed TV reporterPublish date: 2009-03-05 07:55:47
GB - good speech, well deliveredPublish date: 2009-03-04 19:31:05
Notes on the environment, a role in EastEndersPublish date: 2009-03-04 10:58:56
She may be my 'wife' but it is time to rebut!Publish date: 2009-03-03 10:52:59
Some speeches matter more than othersPublish date: 2009-03-02 12:04:45
Mental health and the Carling Cup FinalPublish date: 2009-03-01 09:08:17
Inside the chocolate factoryPublish date: 2009-02-28 10:23:59
GB on the G20, JP on Jeremy KylePublish date: 2009-02-27 09:14:36
Charity and the credit crunch, please give generously!Publish date: 2009-02-26 08:55:12
Why oh why are the Tories not home and dry?Publish date: 2009-02-24 09:44:59
Me, Dermot and ten top songsPublish date: 2009-02-23 10:02:19
Names round-upPublish date: 2009-02-22 08:43:39
What's in a name?Publish date: 2009-02-21 09:58:14
Editing the New StatesmanPublish date: 2009-02-20 11:42:36
Salute Peter M’s proper use of the F wordPublish date: 2009-02-19 09:58:58
Labour's communications challenge for the NHSPublish date: 2009-02-18 10:34:39
In praise of KeighleyPublish date: 2009-02-17 14:33:57
A night at the EmiratesPublish date: 2009-02-17 00:06:51
When marriage is testedPublish date: 2009-02-16 13:36:35
Spare me the myths and the whiningPublish date: 2009-02-15 13:29:50
Dave Cameron - is that all there is?Publish date: 2009-02-14 11:11:55
Boris Johnson: F is for ...Publish date: 2009-02-13 07:55:10
The Cameron vacuumPublish date: 2009-02-12 14:48:33
Lincoln, Obama, Blair and the 24 hour media culturePublish date: 2009-02-11 10:28:47
Eighteen interviews later ...Publish date: 2009-02-10 19:24:45
Time to talk about Time to Change on NewsnightPublish date: 2009-02-09 22:47:49
So that’s what they mean by online community?Publish date: 2009-02-08 12:12:51
First blogPublish date: 2009-02-05 15:23:57
mikey
2009-05-26 23:19:28Hi Uncle Ali......my dad is a complete idiot....he watched the match on live text !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! but we're both happy you won.......
Rita
2009-05-26 18:30:34Hey you- watch what you sayabout the Spires and Chesterfield!! Congrats on the win- no prizes 4 guessing the best birthday pres!
Is it my imagination or did Cameron have an Obama moment in Milton Keynes today?!!!! There were some very appetising little soundbites in there
'from the powerful to the powerless'
'from the political elite to the man on the street'
'people power in a post-beauracratic age'
delivered in a way that seemed to connect. Jack Straw was not the best man to put in to bat after that performance. Is there anybody there?!!!! Rita :-(
gary Enefer
2009-05-26 18:28:27Congratulations to you and your club Alastair. It is this moment you can enjoy and don't worry about the spoilers - they are suffering and can only show it this way.Well doen to the wellwishers,fans andmagnanimous neutrals
Burnley may lose Owen Coyle if he wants the Celtic job. I think Alan Curbishley would keep you up.
best wishes,back to politics until August?
gary enefer
Theresa
2009-05-26 18:23:30Congrats on burnley promotion Alastair. I"m trying to cheer my 13 year old son up because Celtic lost the league.But listen we are happy to see such celebrations for Burnly as everybody loves to see the underdog have his day. Best wishes, Theresa.
Alan Quinn
2009-05-26 17:56:26Well done to the Clarets, enjoy your day in the sun. Next May Burnley need 40 points and Labour needs 40%.
Ian Eastwood
2009-05-26 15:16:15A fantastic day at Wembley Yesterday and a well deserved victory. My thanks go to all the staff and players at the club, but the biggest of all to Owen Coyle for turning a promising team into what they have become this season, a team of winners.
With every game as the season progressed, win or lose they have emerged better and stronger through his leadership.
Maybe a lesson for the Labour party here. O.C. for PM. Maybe not.
Congratulation to all involved with the club. To see them back on top after all this time in the wilderness is a great feeling for me and all the family. They came from Canada and as far as Australia just to experience the wonderful occasion.
A word too for the Sheffield United fans those who were gracious in defeat. As we sat having a meal near Euston station before travelling back to Crewe, many were coming up and shaking our hands wishing us all the best.
Omar I think you’re getting your values mixed up. It’s not nor should it be about wealth. Football is many different things to many different people. A bit like politics and the fundamental differences between the parties and there underlying beliefs.
Gary
2009-05-26 14:26:24Happy days - Up The Clarets
olli issakainen
2009-05-26 13:19:34Burnley are back! I saw AC on Sky News at Wembley commenting not on football but on - surprise surprise - MPs´ expenses.
www.chiclondres.com
2009-05-26 12:56:58Alastair on his career change, his old demons and his fear of dentists: read the INTERVIEW on http://www.chiclondres.com/article.php?eid=3944⟨=en:
Simon
2009-05-26 12:28:10Very pleased for you. At least that's six points that Tottenham can be assured of next season!
Michael
2009-05-26 12:27:59What do you mean Omar? Smaller clubs such as Hull and Stoke have managed to hold their own, as have Wigan and Fulham. Burnley now join fellow former original members of the League in the top division next year - Villa, Blakburn, Bolton, Everton, Stoke and Wolves. The delightful thing abour Burnley's progress is not just the quality of their play, but the memories they bring of football as it used to be. Wonderful that a such a small club can do well in the modern era..
Alex
2009-05-26 12:24:18Congratulations. 12 months ago Hull and Stoke were given little chance of staying up but they did. As for next season, both Sun'lun' and Hull already look relegation prospects, if such is possible 12 months ahead. Ahead of its football club Burnley seems to me to be firmly associated with the BNP. This is a comment you have had before I am guessing? Do Burnley's BNP supporters also support the Club? And if so with what result?
Jimmy
2009-05-26 12:09:09Congratulations on Burnley's promotion well deserved ,I just hope the hang over is not as bad....
omar
2009-05-26 11:53:46Think its a shame teams such as Burnley will be in the premiership next year. They devalue what is a top rate premium league. Can anyone see Burnley winning a game in the premier league?
Pam Nash
2009-05-26 11:51:35Congratulations to Burnley - I'm most amused, but not surprised, at Morgan's cockiness; the way the Arses play some matches, my Granny could beat them and she's dead.......6 points to them is by no means assured!
Helen
2009-05-26 11:16:12I too was at Wembley yesterday cheering us on and have to admit to shedding more than a few tears of joy at the final whistle. Burnley have never been a top flight club in my lifetime, so it's still not quite sunk in that we will be in the premier league next season. What a season it has been.
Simon Leonard
2009-05-26 10:39:00As a lifelong Newcastle supporter (relegated) and a long term resident of Shrewsbury (lost the play off), your happiness sickens me.
Only kidding, congratulations and all that. Have you got any spare players you could send to Tyneside?
TonyC
2009-05-26 10:38:22I'm really pleased Burnley went up. A proper club, with proper supporters. I think you might surprise a few people next year. A good manager and Turf Moor isn't the most welcoming of grounds - in a good way - so I think your home form will be excellent. A bit like Stoke. Ehjoy it. For supporters of clubs outside the Big Four these moments of glory don't happen often. When people ask me why I support Brentford I always say it is because I'm a glory hunter...but I it is more fun when the glory is hard to find.
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