Bally's back to get us and he's relieved

Last updated : 08 May 2004 By Tony Scholes

Bally returned to the North East and accepted the call from Howard Wilkinson to join the coaching staff at the Stadium of Light and given his relationship with the supporters on Wearside it was no surprise to see him take the job.

But whether the Mackems like it or not Bally is also a Claret and he admitted this week when talking to their local paper that he had been concerned that it could have been a game that both teams needed to win.

Bally said: "Sunderland is the club with the biggest place in my heart but Burnley is a close second. They were a great club to play for and the supporters are superb - what I liked most about them, and it has always been the same at Sunderland, was their passion and love for the club.

"I was worried for a long time about the possibility Sunday's game might still have some big issues riding on it. I had nightmares because I convinced myself we would have to go there needing three points to go up and Burnley would need the points to stay up.

"It was awful, but thankfully that's not going to be the case.”

Now though he is looking forward to it being a good afternoon’s football and said he would like an entertaining high scoring draw.

"With Stan leaving after Sunday, he will want a big send-off. We still need a point to make sure of third - which we want because then it guarantees we are at home for the second leg of the play-off semi-final. I suppose the best result would be a 5-5 draw,” he added.

"Loads of goals and excitement for both sets of fans, we get the point we need and Stan goes out on a cracking game everyone will remember. We will see what happens."

And on his return to the Turf: "I am looking forward to seeing a lot of old faces and renewing acquaintances. It will be good to see the supporters again because I had two fantastic years there.

"If someone had said to me when I started playing football my career would end with two years at Burnley, finishing seventh in the First Division in those seasons, working for a great manager and club, I would have taken that.”