Adelaide Ian takes in friendly draw

Last updated : 17 July 2005 By Tony Scholes

The suspicions grew when he dared to tell us that his cricket team were going to murder us in the forthcoming Ashes series. Even out jet setting couple Rocky and Rockette drew a similar conclusion with an, “Are you not from Burnley?” comment.

Ian’s not in fact from Burnley, and never has been, although he was born in Steeton over the border in West Yorkshire but left with his parents for Australia and Adelaide when he was just eleven months old.

His dad was very much a Claret, so much so that when he was involved in a road accident it was right outside the ground. That earned him a visit in hospital from Burnley centre forward of the time Ray Pointer.

For Ian, who is coming to the end of a six week stay in Steeton, it is just a second visit and just like the last one over ten years ago, he will see the Clarets play twice.

It was nearly twice last time, he was over for Christmas 1994 and took in the Boxing Day game against Port Vale that was abandoned with the Clarets trailing 2-1 but he did follow that up with the 5-1 home win against Southend when the visitors borrowed our jade and black shirts.

Having made the trip to Cheltenham there’ll be just time for him to take in the Malaga game next week before he returns home a week tomorrow.

It was good to have him on board yesterday, and good to see a long distance Claret getting a rare opportunity to see the team play. We’ll look forward to seeing Ian again when he next visits.

G’day mate – but sorry to have to tell you but the Ashes are staying exactly where they are. As Rockette told you, “Go and burn your own bails.”