From Orient to the Emirates

The Plucky Rise of Burnle FC

Tim Quelch

• Publisher: Pitch Publishing Ltd
• eBook ISBN:
  9781785313714
• Year: 2017

This is the story of Burnley Football Club's remarkable recovery from the brink of oblivion, made without the help of ultra-rich benefactors. It concerns the fall and rise of a small-town club, once renowned for its advanced playing style, tactical and coaching innovations, and flourishing youth policy. From Orient to the Emirates tells how this former leading club was brought to its knees during the mid-1980s by adverse economic circumstances and imprudent management, how it narrowly escaped relegation to the Vauxhall Conference in 1987—and with it probable liquidation—to once again become a force at the top of English football. The story is largely told in the words of those who took part in this incredible 30-year journey—the directors, managers, players, support staff, and supporters. It is an uplifting account of success achieved very much against the odds, founded on indomitable spirit, canny planning and, above all, hard graft. As Burnley's brilliant manager, Sean Dyche, puts it: "Maximum effort is the minimum requirement."

Table of contents

• Cover Page
• Title Page
• Copyright Page
• Contents
• Thanks
• Foreword
• Prologue
• 1976 – 1986: On the road to oblivion
• 9 May 1987: Supping at the last chance saloon
• 29 May 1988: Wembley Way
• 1988 – 1991: ‘Claret Blues’
• 1992 – 1994: ‘Jimmy Mullen’s claret and blue army’
• 1995 – 1998: ‘Burnley were back’
• 1999 – 2003: Payton’s Place
• 2004 – 2007: Beating the retreat
• 2008 – 2009: Capital punishment
• 2010 – 2013: ‘What goes down’
• 2014 – 2017: ‘Eyes on the prize’
• Epilogue: ‘The medium is the message
• References
• Photographs