Two very special Turf Moor guests
Last updated : 29 April 2006 By Tony Scholes
On the pitch at half time will be a former Burnley player who left the club over eight years ago, supposedly at the end of his career, but a player who is still playing at that same level of football today.
David Eyres moved on to Preston in October 1997, signed by now Shrewsbury boss Gary Peters. The Clarets collected £70,000 for a 33 year old and considered it good business with the player close to hanging up his boots.
Over 100 league games later he signed for Oldham, he's passed 200 league games with them with more to come having just won his place back in the side. It's hard to believe that having not played league football until he was 25 he is now just one game short of the 650, and that could come later today.
On Monday he has his star studded benefit game at Boundary Park, a richly deserved benefit for a player who is still very popular with the Burnley crowd, a player who is guaranteed a superb reception on Sunday.
Although he won't be coming onto the pitch, inside forward and wing half Les Shannon will be back at the club where he made 262 league appearances. He recently celebrated his 80th birthday and, living in Bedfordshire, he watches his football at Kenilworth Road these days having previously scouted for Luton.
But he's a Claret at heart and will be welcomed, along with Eyresie in the Foundation Bar before the game.
A very special welcome to both of them – two top guests to end the season.
