The Road to Wembley 1988

Burnley start their journey to Wembley back in October 1987 ,an away trip to Tranmere Rovers on the 27th and a 2 - 1 victory in front of just 1,801 supporters.

John Bond's signing Neil Grewcock and a goal from George Oghani were enough to secure victory for the Claret's, the Tranmere line up had former Claret trialist Ian Muir and goalkeeper Billy O'Rourke(RIP)in their line up.

Rochdale was next up for the Clarets a home tie in the preliminary round (the Burnley Programme still had last years trophy name"The Freight Rover Trophy"), Goals from Ian Britton, Lonee David Reeves and Stuart"Super"Hooper gave Burnley a 3-1 victory, in front of 2.677 at Turf Moor, Rochdale's team included former Claret Peter Hampton (released at the end of 86/87 season)

In the first round proper , Chester City were visitors to Turf Moor George Oghani scoring in the 80th Minute a 1 - 0 scoreline enough to see the clarets through.3.436 were at the game.

Burnley travelled to Martin Dodson's Bury in the 2nd round , Bury's team included Terry Pashley, Jamie Hoyland, Liam Robinson, Alan Taylor who would all wear the Claret and Blue of Burnley at some time or another, the Shakers assistant Manager at the time is Frank Casper who's time at Burnley is still to come to an end. The Claret faithful were full of song during this winters night with torrentional rain and gale force winds making the beautiful game obsolete, The fans were singing and stamping there feet on the old Gigg lane stand, with was fortunate to still be standing after a magnanimous show of support, 4,672 was the attendance that night , who knows how many were clarets ,Paul Comstive with the goal courtesy of a penalty.

The Northern area semi-final was a night former Manchester United Goalkeeper Paddy Roache would like to forget ,a missed penalty in the shoot out after a drab 0 - 0 draw was enough to give the Clarets a stunning 5 - 3 victory in the shootout, after extra time could not separate the battling roses. The successful penalties for Burnley were converted by Deakin, Britton, Comstive, Oghani and local born youngster Ashley Hoskin. 10,466 were present at the game ,the Clarets faithful were starting to believe.

Preston were next, and a tricky tie it was with Preston  a league above.

The first game was a none event , a no score draw at Turf Moor , which gave all the omens to Preston and that plastic pitch every one hated. But as Brian Miller pointed out at the time " We have played 3 third division sides in this competition and we haven't conceded a goal against any of them" The teams were Bury, Chester City and now Preston North End. Brian's son David played in both ties against his father ,Two other players who had their parts were Tony"Elvis" Ellis and Walters son Warren Joyce both who had a future in the claret shirt , but as yet were totally unaware.

The second leg ,Preston were out and out favorites, a division above, plastic pitch, against a team who very nearly went out of the whole league a season earlier. But throw those form books away, for the Clarets gave a unbelievable performance in the plastic toy town Deepdale pitch, and walked the game 3-1 goals from Oghani,Hoskin and a late Comstive goal gave the Clarets a taste of the big time 26 years after there last venture to the twin towers.  

"Oghani,we're going to wembley" was the Cheerful taunt as the traveling Clarets celebrated their victory which would live long in the memory (Longside poster Fulledgelad went and still remembers fondly the Clarets victory at Deepdale)

Wolves who were to meet us at the twin towers drew 1-1 with Swansea and beat Bristol City 3-1 in there southern section preliminaries, then hammering Brentford 4-0,Peterborough 4-0,sneaking past Torquay 1-0 in their southern section semi final, before seeing off Notts County 3-2 on aggregate.