Former striker to make draw

Last updated : 12 August 2005 By Tony Scholes

Paul Fletcher is better known these days for his work involving football stadia rather than playing up front, and following successful projects with Huddersfield and Bolton and a time involved with the new Wembley he is currently heading the team that will see football played at the new Ricoh Stadium for the first time next week.

But it is very much as a footballer that we remember Paul, or Fletch, or Kestrel given that he had this amazing ability to go up for headers and seemingly hang in the air.

When he arrived from Bolton for what was a record transfer he was supposed to be our saviour, set to score the goals that would keep us in the top flight. In reality it was too much to ask of a twenty year old from a lower division although his one goal did bring with it two points from a 1-0 win against Blackpool.

Over the next few years we were to see the best of Paul Fletcher, particularly during the period when he formed a devastating partnership with Frank Casper. He was close to a full international cap as surely was Frank but both had problems with injuries that ultimately I believe led to the relegation from the top flight.

He was a vital player in the side that won the 2nd Division Championship and then did so well on our return to the top division, coming just one place away from a return to European football.

Paul remained a Claret for some time after we were relegated again in 1976 and had a variety of partners and on a frosty night in Wrexham early in 1979 he scored the only goal in a 1-0 win, it proved to be his last for the Clarets.

Early the following year he moved on, a Stan Ternent signing for Blackpool where another serious injury brought his career to an end just as he was on the brink of another move.

Many today will have heard Paul at dinners, he’s an excellent speaker, just as he clearly is excellent with his work on new stadia. But make no mistake, he was an even better footballer for Burnley where he scored 86 goals in just over 350 games.

Despite the £60,000 price he proved to be a fantastic signing by Jimmy Adamson and who knows just how well we would have done had he and Frank not been injured.

He might not win any headers tomorrow but give this great Claret the reception he deserves.