Turf Moor season comes to an entertaining finish

Many may have been forgiven for expecting a boring, nothing to play for game between the Clarets and Cardiff City on Saturday. However, the 10,700 that filled Turf Moor certainly got entertainment for their money.

The game itself produced six goals, and Burnley twice squandered leads. Alexander and Cole had put the Clarets 2-0 up. The Bluebirds bounced back to 2-2, before Clarke Carlisle looked to have won it. It wasn't to be though and Burnley were forced to end their home campaign with, probably a fair, 3-3 draw.

The entertainment levels soared when Darren Purse took a chunk out of Andrew Cole's leg with a high challenge. Purse left the field to amusing chants of 'you're not going to Wembley', and he was swiftly followed by Cole who in turn was pursued by two Cardiff players, two Burnley players and the Lancashire police! Owen Coyle summed it up perfectly as a scene from a Benny Hill show!

It was certainly surreal to watch, and unlike anything I have ever seen in thirteen years as a Claret! To have been a fly on the wall in that tunnel...

Andrew Cole was not happy with the challenge or Dave Jones' comments about his role in the red card:

“Nothing happened in the tunnel unfortunately, but I did go after him (Purse). I am not going to fib about it,” said Cole.

“He is a muppet. He cannot even play anyway. I am furious about it. It is one of the worst tackles I have had in my career on me. I am disgusted he said I went over the ball. Just look at my leg.”

Cole also blasted Jones after the City boss said he thought Purse’s red card was harsh and that Cole needed to ‘take a look at himself’ following the way he reacted to the incident.

“I cannot believe Dave Jones said that about it,” fumed Cole.

“I have been a professional player with a career over 18 years. I don’t need to have a look at myself, Dave Jones needs to go and have a look at himself. I cannot believe it really.”

Cole revealed he was planning to consider his future in the game at the end of the season, but believed he had been left with a score to settle.

Cole ranted: “I adore playing football so I don’t know about retirement, but if I play only two games next season I hope it is home and away to Cardiff.”

Watch the Darren Purse challenge on Andrew Cole below...

The usual crowd flowed onto the pitch at the final whistle, and it was hard not to laugh at the stewards trying to stop them getting on to the pitch, largely unsuccessfully.

So that is that, the curtain has closed on another season at Turf Moor. Looking back it has to be said that the season has not been as bad as one might think. Yes, we did fall out of contention for a play-off place, but try not to forget that we will have our best league finish in six years.

Now is time to look forward to a summer of strengthening and hopefully another promotion push next season. Let's get Palace out the way and look forward to August.

Up the Clarets!

(Picture taken from http://www.burnleyfc.com/ of Andrew Cole's injury)

Maybe we should change the away goal rule...

Following the fantastic Champions League night on Tuesday, and the not so great night on Wednesday it was time for the UEFA Cup to take centre stage on Thursday.

With no English side to follow, I was looking forward optimistically to Spanish side Getafe’s chances against strong favourites Bayern Munich.

A 1-1 draw in Germany no doubt meant Michael Laudrup’s team had every reason to be confident on home soil.

An unexpected turn of events saw Getafe reduced to ten men before ten minutes were on the clock, and from then on a great game unfolded.

Getafe led before a late equalizer took the game into extra-time. The hosts once again took the lead, and then added another, leaving the fans in dream land. They were 3-1 up against the overwhelming favourites and with just ten men.

What happens next is what leads to my main issue with how this game ended.

Bayern hit Getafe with two late goals, and extra-time ended at 3-3. What happened next, in my opinion, should have been penalties. What actually happened was Bayern advanced to the Semi-final on the away goals rule.

So here is my problem…

How is it fair on the team playing the second leg at home, to go out on away goals after extra-time?

Getafe drew 1-1 at home and 1-1 away; the issue is they did not get a chance to play an extra half hour in Germany, like Bayern did in Spain. The only suggestion I can think of is away goals count in 90 minutes but not 120. In last night’s scenario, the game should have gone to penalties.

Here is an interesting Spanish Football blog I found this week, take a look at the match highlights...

Can Truro City move football forward in Cornwall?

A constant stream of concern for City fans is something which Truro’s critics are all too eager to point out; the location is not ideal.

The City is located in the deepest south of England, cut off from the bustling Cities of London, Manchester and the like.

In the modern day game, where lifestyle and WAGs seem just as important to a footballer as a successful career, it would be a fair assumption to make that Truro may not be a player’s ideal destination.

Cornwall and Devon possess just one Football League side between them; Plymouth Argyle. The former Pilgrims' boss Ian Holloway once even remarked how hard it was to attract players due south, and that, is in the Coca Cola Championship. Aside from Argyle, there is Exeter City and Torquay United in the Conference and from there you look at Truro City, who are set to become Cornwall’s first side to venture into the Southern League.

It is therefore apparent that Cornwall and Devon is not a particular hotbed for football, especially when contrasted with places like Lancashire and London, who have top, top sides, like Cornwall has beaches.




Fans of the expensively assembled White Tigers are more than aware of the possible problems attracting players, however they also seem optimistic that, long term, it will not prevent Truro continuing their charge up the footballing pyramid.

Supporters club chairman Robin Netherton believes that City can go where other sides have failed:

“It is indeed a big point with our geographical position in the country, even Plymouth Argyle have problems attracting players to the South West. We are under no illusion that it will be easy, it won’t be, but we will endeavor to bring in top quality players to strengthen the team over the coming seasons.

“With the support and backing we are finding I believe we can break through the barrier and show other local clubs that it is possible to survive and be successful in sleepy old Cornwall. We will certainly give our all, the faith and belief is there.”

Former committee member Andrew [unknown] is more positive than most, and believes that the location could work in Truro’s favour:

“The geographic position should not hinder our progress too much, in fact it is probably opposition teams who will be more concerned of where we are. It obviously has a major bearing on the playing staff and that is the main reason for the team turning full time next season. If players are good enough they will want to come and play for us.”

With a bright future on the horizon, City also have a new generation of supporters. One of them, Tom Perry, believes that City can break the hoodoo that may be hanging over Cornish sides:

“I think that the southern placement may have an effect on some players that City may look at in a few years time, but on the other hand, players will love the club once they have been to Treyew Road. I'm sure that players and their families would love to live near the beach and beautiful countryside.”

The vibes in England’s most southerly City are good, and the future looks bright for the time being, and who knows, perhaps Truro could break the jinx on Cornish football and live their Football League dream.