Martin (or Dobbo as he is better known), and I find it much easier referring to him as Dobbo than Martin, took up his role in September 2008.
That was over 24 years after he'd played his last game for us at the end of his second spell at Burnley. There always seemed some inevitability that he'd return at some stage and many thought, in the late 1980s and early 1990s that he would become manager.
It was, belatedly, just after the start of the season that saw us go to Wembley when he finally stepped back inside and his appointment was greeted with delight by fans, certainly those who remember him wearing the claret and blue with such destinction, captaining the Burnley team to promotions in 1973 and 1982 as well as becoming our last, to date, full England international in 1974.
Since returning he's headed the youth department and continued the restructuring and rebuilding alongside such as Terry Pashley and VInce Overson.
Over the last three years I've got to know Dobbo very well and the relationship between youth development and Clarets Mad, one which was already excellent, has gone from strength to strength. I'll miss him and I'm sure many others at Turf Moor, including the young players, will too.
When he came back in 2008 he said: "I am absolutely overjoyed to be back at Burnley. I think everyone knows what my feelings for this club are and I consider it a great honour."
He'll always remain a Burnley FC legend and on behalf of Clarets Mad I'd like to send my best wishes to Dobbo and his wife Carole for their support of Clarets Mad over the last three years.