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| Alan West leaves for Luton |
West, aged just 21, had been unable to win a place in the Burnley side that romped to promotion in the 1972/73 season. With the likes of Martin Dobson, Geoff Nulty and Doug Collins becoming fixtures in the side, he made just two substitute appearances all season and that prompted him to seek a move.
It looked as though he'd got it too when Sunderland agreed to pay £70,000 for him, this after Manchester United had failed with a bid of £35,000 for the midfielder.
Burnley announced his transfer to Sunderland but then the Wearside club sent him back claiming he had a minor back injury. Adamson said West was one of the six fittest players at the club and had been in the medical room only three times in over two and a half years. He described the injury, which had shown up on an X-ray as a two per cent injury.
But he was to get his move, and on Tuesday 16th October 1973 talks started with Luton who were keen to sign him. Two days later and the deal was done with Burnley actually receiving a transfer fee of £100,000 from Luton for his services.
Luton boss Harry Haslam said: "There's nothing wrong with the lad. We've been interested in West for a long time and we're delighted to have got our man at last."
Adamson said: "Alan wanted first team football and I was not able to guarantee it. He is a midfield player and we are particularly well off in this position. The whole deal has been completed amicably and we certainly wish Alan all the best in his career with his new club."
In making the move, West became the fifth player that Burnley had sold for £100,000 or more, following on from Willie Morgan, Ralph Coates, Steve Kindon and Dave Thomas.
If West was leaving, then one player was very definitely staying with Terry Pashley signing his first professional contract the day after his 17th birthday just days earlier. He had already made a first team debut in the 7-0 Texaco Cup win against East Fife, coming on as a substitute.
He'd been called up for England youth and was rated as a great prospect by the Burnley coaching staff.