Former Claret Fenton passes away

Last updated : 26 September 2013 By Tony Scholes

The young Fenton first joined Burnley as a youngster from his native North East in 1956 and went on to make a first team debut just past his 20th Birthday in October 1960 against Cardiff at Ninian Park in the League Cup.

Such was the quality of player at Burnley at the time that it didn't kick off a glittering Turf Moor career. He made three further League Cup appearances that season and also played in six league games.

There were five further league games in 1961/62, the last of which was at Bolton in April 1962 and that proved to be his last game for the club.

Fenton was transferred to West Brom in November that year for what was then a sizeable £15,000 and he later went on to play for both Birmingham and Brentford before calling time on his career at the age of 29 in the summer of 1970. He'd played just 105 league games.

He immediately joined Notts County as a coach and in 1975 became manager when Jimmy Sirrel, who himself died five years ago yesterday, moved to Sheffield United. However, he lost the job when Sirrel opted to return in 1977.

He left Notts County but didn't go far; just across the River Trent to Nottingham Forest where he eventually became number two to Brian Clough. Sadly his career in football came to a sad end with the irregular payments over the transfer of Teddy Sheringham.

My early recollection of Fenton was of a decent inside forward who wasn't going to break into the Burnley team because of the players ahead of him. Like many of that era he was forced to move on to get games.

Clarets Mad are saddened by news of his death yesterday and would wish to pass on our condolences to his wife Pat, and to the Fenton family and their friends.