Comments
We love you Burnley, we do ... what a night
2009-05-13 02:37:17
Just got in. Not a hope in hell of getting to sleep. Too wired. Watching it all again on Sky. What a fantastic night. Better than beating Chelsea.
I feel so so sorry for people who do not get football, who will never know what it is like to feel as the Burnley fans felt after 50 and 58 minutes of tonight's match at Reading when two of the best goals any of us will ever see went in, first from Martin Paterson, then Stevie Thompson.
It was bedlam, absolute wonderful bedlam in the away end. As it was a warm evening, I'd taken my coat off and put it on the floor. By the time the bedlam had calmed, my coat was ten seats away. Both my sons were with me and there are few greater father-son hugs than the ones which follow a goal scored right in front of you. By the time the second one went in, people were climbing over seats to hug total strangers.
So now, as if the season had not had enough to offer already, we are off to Wembley on May 25, my 52nd birthday. There is only one present I want when we meet Sheffield United - another win like tonight's.
Sheff U's manager Kevin Blackwell was in the Sky commentary box behind us and took some very loud abuse in good humour. But he goes into the play off final knowing we have beaten his team twice already this season, and our players will be full of confidence they can do it again. So much sport is about psychology. I have spent a lifetime following Burnley, and for many of those years I have gone to matches with a vague hunch we might lose. I was often right. It's why we went from top to bottom of the Football League in 25 years. These days we turn up feeling a win is likelier than a defeat.
Just one more win, and we are in the Premiership, the greatest football league in the world. It would be a fantastic achievement for a small town club.
Most of the Burnley fans stayed in the ground singing and dancing and generally having a good time for ages after the final whistle in the hope the players would come back out. Once it was clear they weren't, I went round to the main stand to take up Reading chairman Sir John Madejski's pre-match offer of a post-match drink. He was very generous in defeat, as was manager Steve Coppell when he came up later.
I also took the chance to congratulate our chairman, Barry Kilby, and his directors. Chairmen and directors get a lot of grief from fans at most clubs, and are all expected to have the kind of money Russian oligarchs throw at their clubs. Barry is a real Burnley supporter but the success we are enjoying is his and the board's as well as the manager's and the players.
One thing I sense, from the Reading reaction to our win, and the sheer volume of text messages coming in from all over the place as the game ended, is that we will be the neutral's favourite. Burnley have really caught the football world's imagination this year.
We will also have massive support of our own. The whole town will get a gigantic lift out of tonight. There is nothing, absolutely nothing, than can quite match the power of football to deliver the joy it delivered tonight, the excitement of the next eleven days, and the expectation of May 25.
Just watched another brilliant post match interview by Owen Coyle. What a manager. Off to bed.
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Musings from a sleepless nightPublish date: 2009-05-07 07:33:49
Darren Fletcher - an injustice that has to be rightedPublish date: 2009-05-06 09:52:29
Maggie's legacy not as great as she thinksPublish date: 2009-05-05 08:33:02
Here's hoping Cardiff is metaphor for CameronPublish date: 2009-05-04 09:38:30
More Mr Benn and Co pleasePublish date: 2009-05-03 10:03:00
Going Fourth with JPPublish date: 2009-05-02 18:25:41
Journalism - print first, think laterPublish date: 2009-05-02 09:10:01
In praise of two poetsPublish date: 2009-05-01 10:26:36
JP hits the road againPublish date: 2009-04-29 18:52:11
My night with Eddie IzzardPublish date: 2009-04-29 10:53:25
Explaining the 50p top tax ratePublish date: 2009-04-28 09:22:53
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
AJR
2009-05-14 01:36:12Good report!Now Burnley can be a name people know for something good, and when I say I support BFC, I shouldn't get a quizzical look and "who?"...or "well, someone has to".
Proud to be a Claret for over 30 years.
Viv
2009-05-13 15:41:16Nice one Des! That's making me smile.
Viv
2009-05-13 15:35:50Is that true about the 1996 European football Championship and Alastair wanting Germany to win over England for the sake of the election?
That's the most rational and refreshing thing I've heard said about a football game in a long time. I am inspired - all is forgiven and my faith in AC's priorities restored!
Des Currie
2009-05-13 14:52:30"I feel so so sorry for people who do not get football". Feel sorrier still for us who don't get sport at all. And think should be done in privacy only between consenting oponents.
Des Currie
wyrdtimes
2009-05-13 14:34:53Oh those poor people that don't get football.
Mr Campbell - an Englishman born and brought up in England who wanted Germany to knock England out of the 1996 European football championship because an England win would have meant a smaller majority for Labour in the general election. What a lovely guy you are.
I don't understand how you can support an English team at all. Why don't you find a Scottish club worthy of your dubious loyalties?
Viv
2009-05-13 13:34:02Please, please, please, can you write something as passionate as this about the Labour Party soon Alastair? I am one of the poor souls who "do not get football" (because I just don't think it matters THAT much). But I'm pleased that you had a good night and I do know how you're feeling - I feel like that about quite a few things, not least every time Labour win an election. It's a bit depressing leafleting for the party right now - please inspire us with your words.
gary Enefer
2009-05-13 11:25:40Dear AC
Congrats!
You and your bloggers may like to know that Stephenfry has twittered about 'the stupid changes twitter has just made''.
Em, I find your words interesting. can we follow each other on twitter? i am MYYOGA gary enefer -have three followers from this blog and these have lead to other interesting people -thank you Alastair
Frank B
2009-05-13 11:23:39Looking forward for a warm and unforgettable birthday very soon !
Thanks to you I can now put Burnley on a map, at least a place of great emotions and dreams
And I do confess you're right about the greatest football league in the world
A Frenchman who loves your football ... and the train
Kenny Hemphill
2009-05-13 11:16:22Great result and two fantastic goals worthy of winning any game. And great to see three Scots play such a prominent role on the field, along with, obviously, Coyle in the dugout. Here's to another Scottish manager in the Premiership next season.
Couldn't help but feel sorry for Steve Coppell and the Reading fans though. They had enough possession to win comfortably, sadly someone forgot to tell them where the goal was.
Rob
2009-05-13 11:11:04Congrats to Burnley, I hope they get up to the EPL. It's a real shame Steve Coppell felt he had to resign though. Reading have lost out on a great manager there.
Ian Eastwood
2009-05-13 10:51:29Glad you made it after your bit of a panic on the French railway system.
You’re absolutely right no other sport provokes the passion and shear hysteria that football supporters feel for there team, especially a team like our beloved Clarets.
I grew up in and around Burnley and have followed the clarets as long as I can remember. As a child in the mid sixties and seventies, towards the end of there hay days. We could not afford to go to many games.
I lived in a village 3 miles outside Burnley (Harle Syke) high above Burnley, and as a group of small boys on Night games we would sit on top of a Skip looking towards the town and see the hew of the flood lights around Turf Moor and follow the games by the roars or sighs of the crowds. Which then were regularly 30.000 plus.
We moved away from Burnley down to south Cheshire 18 years ago where my son was born but I have continued to follow Burnley home and away and I have never forgotten my roots, my dad for one would never let me.
Not too many years after Tom was born his options were soon very limited on match days, football with Dad or Shopping with mum. Consequently like one of your sons has grown up a passion Burnley Fan, and until this season has seen very limited success. Is that all about to change?
As most people know Burnley is a old run down mill town with very little money and very few prospects for the people in it, and football has always been a conduit for there passion and frustrations much more than a hobby or a status symbol.
Many fans having to work many hours to pay for there passion and the clubs offer of refunds to season ticket holder if we make it to the promise land go’s a long way in paying some of that loyalty back, so well done to BFC for that.
It is said that Premiership football is worth £50 million to the football club which is good in it’s self but just as important. It is estimated to the town of Burnley it could be worth as much as £200 million in extra income generated through world wide exposure and investment. What could that do to a small town like Burnley?
In work this morning people keep looking at me and asking why I look like I have swallowed a coat hanger the ones who follow football understand for the rest they never will. They just don’t get it. It's sad they won't get that rush, jumping up and down as MPs & STs goals hit the net first like you with my son and then strangers all around, people smiling and cheering as we wait to leave the car park and all the way home.
Many times it’s been tough following Burnley but this year has been one to remember.
Keep going Burnley Dare To Dream.
Michael
2009-05-13 10:39:46ESPN have recently had a series on footballing duels - Celtic/Rangers, Barca/Real, Galatasary/Fenerbache, River Plate/Boca Juniors. Unfathomably they missed out Blackburn v Burnley.
Congratulations - I really hope they can beat the Blades sow we can have lots of Lancashire derbies next year (Wigan, Bolton, Blackburn, not to mention the Manchester and Merseyside clubs - what a great sporting region we have in the North West).
Robert
2009-05-13 09:18:11Well done to Burnley. As a Reading fan I am oviously disappointed but your team thoroughly deserved your win. I really hope you get into the Premiership - it is a lot of fun.
olli issakainen
2009-05-13 08:59:47Great goals from Pato and Thommo. I saw them on Sky News here in Finland.
David Fagan
2009-05-13 08:12:15As an Airdrie fan, just have to concur with the poster on display last night......Coyle is God. Best player we ever had now turning out to be one of the best managers you have ever had. Congratulations.
Now....just need Airdrie to deliver a similar result(s) in the play-offs.
Jean Thornton
2009-05-13 04:52:09I'm a Clarets fanatic living in Perth, Western Australia. The match was on live here at 2.45am so like you Alastair we didn't get much sleep but who the hell cares!! What brilliant goals - I just want my favourite Robbie Blake to get a couple in the Final. It's nights like these that makes all the years of heartache worthwhile. I'm at work now but will not be doing much today - going out for a celebratory curry and a few bottles of red tonight!! Up the Clarets!!!
Em
2009-05-13 03:30:30I think many who don't get football get other things which equally satisfies. It would be boring we all loved football as much as you do. I have been on cloud nine like this after sports or art events and I think I can relate.
I get about five hundred TV channels (average here) and we do get a lot of football but no Burnley since I've been checking. I'll have to live their successes vicariously through you.
Again, a heartening piece of writing, and, again, thank you for sharing. I truly appreciate it, it actually puts a smile on my face.
Em
P.S.: Is the repeated mention of your birth date a hint? Should I be shopping around right now?
Just teasing you, AC.
Wild Rover
2009-05-13 02:57:54That's Rover as in Blackburn Rovers and if you do get up, remember it is for one year only and with defeats home and away to your more illustrious neighbours.
Kevin Jones
2009-05-13 02:56:26I totally agree nothing like football for arousing real passion. I am a Liverpool fan so we are used to some amazing nights but you lot looked like you were having the night of your lives. Hope you do it. I can remember when Burnley were up there before.
Frankie
2009-05-13 02:54:58That was one hell of a night. Think the players should have come back out when the fans stayed, but I guess Owen didn;t want to break his routine or tire them out even more
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