McGreal signs in

Last updated : 17 June 2004 By Tony Scholes

Following on from the appointment of a new scout and physio the team rebuilding is now very much underway and McGreal is the first of what is expected to be up to eight new players to sign in at Turf Moor before the start of the season.

He was the player Cotterill referred to almost immediately after his own appointment when he said he had already spoken to one player, talks were held on the Friday just one day after the new manager took over.

A year ago Ipswich snatched Diallo from under our noses and it is now payback time. McGreal is out of contract but Joe Royle was keen to keep him at Portman Road. But the player has decided on a move back north.

The 32-year-old defender was born in Birkenhead and started his career with his home town club Tranmere Rovers. He was a massive favourite with the Prenton Park crowd and played in over 230 games for them.

He signed for Ipswich just two days before the start of the 1999/2000 season and went straight into their opening day side. He ended his first season in Suffolk with a winning appearance at Wembley in the Division One Play Off Final as we in Burnley were already celebrating our own promotion.

He enjoyed two seasons in the Premiership and a run in the UEFA Cup before coming up against the Clarets in the 2-2 draw at Portman Road last season.

Last season he was out of the side until December but then won a regular place which only came to an end when he received a knock in the first leg of their play off against West Ham that ruled him out of the second leg.

Ipswich opened talks with him but he was the first player Steve Cotterill spoke to as Burnley manager and he has persuaded him to become our first new signing. He’ll see some familiar faces when he meets the other players, he played in the same Tranmere side as both Ian Moore and our club captain Graham Branch.

So that’s nine players now – we are not that far short of a team. I suspect there will be more news in the next two weeks before the players report back for training.


It just remains for us to wish John McGreal all the best at Turf Moor.