Four years on and things really are better

Last updated : 17 October 2002 By Tony Scholes
Barry Kilby - bought out two directors four years ago
Some of these problems have been brought on by the collapse of ITV Digital but today is the day for being thankful for just where we are today and so we are going to go back four years.

On 17th October 1998 Burnley played Notts County at home in a 2nd Division game that ended 1-1. We fell behind to a Dennis Pearce goal as early as the 8th minute and were rescued by a Rune Vindheim goal deep into stoppage time on a cold, wet and miserable day.

It is worth noting the Burnley team that day, it was: Gavin Ward, Peter Swan, Gordon Armstrong, Rune Vindheim, Matty Heywood, Brian Reid, Glen Little, Mark Robertson, Andy Cooke, Andy Payton, Paul Smith (Colin Carr-Lawton).

In the days leading up to the game the Clarets Independent Supporters' Association (CISA) had organised a petition stating that there was no confidence in the board of directors. This petition was signed by more than 5,000 Burnley fans, a staggering number. Alongside this a sit in was held after the game and despite the cold and the rain, and also despite the late equaliser, well in excess of 2,00o involved themselves in this further protest.

Teasdale's administration was on the run and just two days before the game two directors, Dr. David Iven and Bernard Rothwell, got out of the firing line and sold their shares to a local businessman by the name of Barry Kilby.

Shortly afterwards Barry Kilby joined the board and by the beginning of 1999 he was Chairman whilst Frank Teasdale has gone the way of Rothwell whilst Doc. Iven is now club President.

Yes the club is currently having financial problems but I think it is fair to say that there have been some improvements and the most important of all is our league position. Four years ago we were already in the early stages of another relegation battle (to Division Three) and were already as low as 18th with worse to come, now and despite the dodgy start we are in the top half of Division One after two seasons of almost making the play offs towards the Premiership.

But it is not just on the field, there have been massive and positive changes throughout the club. Not for one minute is it perfect, in fact it is far from that, but the improvements in certain areas of the club are immense.

There has been a lot of criticism recently, and with some justification, but when you think things don't look so good just recall four years ago when the club was on the verge of a return to Division Three and in a worse financial position than it is today.

Whatever recent mistakes have been made, and mistakes clearly have been made, then it is perhaps a good idea that we should all cast our minds back four years to the time we signed the petition and stayed behind after the game.

Things are certainly not as bad now.