Crunch time v Pompey - and a date with Mac
IN many ways a crucial game in Burnley's season, Saturday's home clash with Portsmouth in the end may not matter.
It all depends, come March 1, whether Pompey fold or not - only if it's "not" will points gained by teams in matches against them still count.
Having already lost at Fratton Park, Burnley have less to lose than most in terms of points, a maximum three being at stake, and I can feel for the Portsmouth fans who could see their club go under.
The same could have happened - albeit for a lot less money - to Burnley if it had all gone wrong in the Orient game, but there are crucial differences.
Back in 1986-87 the club didn't have a brass farthing to spend and it was a team of journeyman pros, raw youngsters and a crucial bit of experience from Ray Deakin, Neil Grewcock, Ian Britton, Billy Rodaway and the then fading grandeur of the great Leighton James that just about kept Burnley in it.
Portsmouth on the other hand must surely mark a watershed in how clubs are run, having spent a lot of Premiership cash and with some very average looking players on wage deals that make the mind boggle if they prove to be anywhere near accurate.
One of the more "interesting" ideas bandied about in recent weeks was that all the other Premiership clubs should chip in 10 million to help them out of the hole they're in. But surely, if Burnley, living within their means at the moment, had a spare 10 million they could have bought another player or two to help in the relegation fight?
I can see why a team going out of business would be bad for the Premier League's image, but would bailing out a team that had spent excessively just be the green light for any to spend away regardless of the consequences, knowing they would be bailed out?
- TODMORDEN born author Dave Thomas and Burnley's biggest legend Jimmy McIlroy will be close at hand for an evening with the great man at Littleborough Cricket Club next month.
Thursday, March 25, gives fans the chance to hear the great man and his biographer talk about his remarkable career and the new books which are being written to celebrate his life.
The Thomas-penned Jimmy Mac: Prince Of Inside Forwards is an excellent read and Jimmy will be on hand to sign copies and answer questions from fans. Books and memorabilia will be available on the night.
Tickets are very reasonably priced at 10 including some supper and are available from Littleborough CC or by contacting Glenn Kershaw on 07932 212302, or emailing jimmymac@littleboroughcc.com for more details.
The event, for Jimmy's testimonial year, has been organised by the club and Dave Thomas. Dave and Jimmy, having published the full biography, are also working on a luxurious looking scrapbook packed with memorabilia and images from throughout the career of the man acknowledged as Burnley's best ever (only Bob Kelly, from the pre-war era, would run him close).
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Weather for Halifax
Saturday 11 February 2012
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: -1 C to 0 C
Wind Speed: 8 mph
Wind direction: South west
Tomorrow
Cloudy
Temperature: 3 C to 5 C
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