The number one jersey is up for grabs

Last updated : 21 June 2003 By Tony Scholes

It was something most fans wanted, Beresford had been dropped after a series of poor performances that led to the fans turning against him whilst his replacement Michopoulos came in and after one good game against Preston gave goals away with a number of howlers.

But none of us will ever forget the Sheffield Wednesday game and there was surely not a single Burnley fan in the ground that day that expected Stan to retain either of them. He didn’t and within five days both had been released even though Beresford had been sat on a contract for a further two years.

There has been speculation ever since as to who might come in, and not just in terms of goalkeeper, but the custodian’s role has certainly brought about much debate with some of the wildest of rumours.

We’ve gone from a link with a Manchester United youngster Luke Steele right through to England (or should we say former England) keeper David Seaman. There is no doubt that the Seaman deal was never on and he has since moved from Arsenal to KKMC.

The top name in the frame has always been Grimsby’s Danny Coyne who also happens to be a good friend of Graham Branch and also of Gareth Taylor. He has said himself that he would like to come to Burnley and his has been the name on many people’s lips in the past few weeks.

But has his name been on Stan’s lips? We believe not and despite the press speculation it is thought that Coyne is far from being first choice for a move to Burnley.

More recent links are certainly more probable and certainly do not rule out a move for West Ham’s former Rochdale keeper Stephen Bywater. Despite a new offer he has turned down the opportunity to extend his stay with the Hammers and could well be keen on a move back to Lancashire.

Despite the fact that he is an England Under-21 goalkeeper he has no league career as such and at the age of 22 he has made just 10 league appearances.

The latest in the frame though is a goalkeeper who we were chasing just a few years ago when Adrian Heath was in charge. It’s Carlo Nash and at the time he was at Clitheroe during their fantastic FA Vase run.

We were very much in the running for him but he decided to move south and signed for Crystal Palace for £35,000 in August 1996. He made just league appearances in two years and was signed by Gary Megson for Stockport after he was released by Palace.

He was more or less a regular at Edgeley Park and it was during his time there that he made his first appearance against the Clarets in a 1st Division game at Turf Moor that we won 2-1 with goals from Andy Payton and former Unprofessional Graham Branch.

Shortly afterwards Joe Royle took him to Manchester City (now KKMC) for £100,000 but he has always had to share the goalkeeping duties at Maine Road. Initially it was with Nicky Weaver but last season saw Peter Schmeichel come in as number one whilst now it is David Seaman.

In total he has played in just 38 league games for KKMC including nine last season in the Premiership. The Bacup born keeper is looking for a move and still living in the area the Turf would certainly be more convenient for him.

But whoever is in goal when we kick off it won’t be either Marlon or Nik the Greek although both claim to be looking at offers from other First Division clubs. In fact with Palace being suggested as one of the clubs wanting to sign Nik he could yet start the season at Turf Moor but on the other side.

Who will be in our goals? Take your pick, but of course it could be none of those mentioned above. I think Stan will know, it is for us to find out.