Username
Password
The Longside Remembers. Wembley 1988, Burnley v Wolves
By BBC2
May 20 2009
Wembley, its been a long hard few years for the die-hard Burnley fans, but if there was any light at the end of the tunnel, well here it is for the first time since the FA Cup final 26 years ago, little Burnley would grace Wembley again. Brian Miller a player all those years ago would lead this rejuvenated band of men who donned the famous Claret and Blue out at Wembley...

 


Wembley Wembley were the famous Burnley FC and were going to wembley.

 A dream come true following the disatorous season previously ,who would have thought a year ago when Burnley's very existence was in jeopardy that one year on we would walk out at wembley .

It seemed as the whole of Burnley descended on the capital to play Wolves ,the irony of it is these founder members of the inaugural football league season 100 years ago, are now  playing in the lower league tournament in the football leagues centenary season, 81 thousand supporters who were at wembley, no corporate sponsors , no freebies for wannabes just true supporters in Claret and Blue and the Gold of Wolverhampton Wanderers.

Wolves along with Burnley were seen as the elite in Europe in the late 50s and early 60s, the Molineux club saw the same hard times as Burnley dropping from the 1st division to the 4th division in consecutive seasons between 83/84 and 85/86, Wolves crowds also deserted them as crowds dropped to below 4000. 

But just as Brian Miller turned the fortunes around for Burnley, Graham Turner did the same for Wolves. 1987/88 season saw Wolves sweep aside the league winning the Fourth Division Championship with the goalscoring feats of Steve Bull and Andy Mutch , Bull who was deemed surplus to requirements at fierce rivals West Brom, smashed the clubs goalscoring record held for 41 years by Wolves great Dennis Westcott, his half century of goals will take some beating.

So on to Wembley and the game history will forget but will always be fondly remembered in the tales of success for both Burnley and Wolves. The game itself was an equal affair as both burnley and Wolves attacked ,with the match statistics pretty even.

The breakthrough came in the 23rd minute as Robbie Dennison's precise corner found Bull on the back post to head back across goal for strike partner Andy Mutch to head low past keeper Chris Pearce who got one hand to it but failed to keep it out. Just before the goal a little ice cool arrogance by Burnley midfielder Paul Comstive as he chipped the ball over Steve Bull's head on his own by-line straight into Keeper Pearce's arms. 

The rest of the game was a blur as both teams intent on not losing ,Floyd Street was immense at the back for Wolves as were defensive pairing Steve Davis and Steve Gardner holding 53 goal machine Bull at bay.

It was Steve Gardner who's foul on Nigel Vaughan which gave Wolves the killer goal , a delightful free kick from Dennison lifted over the wall and into Pearce's near post, the goal ended Burnley's hope of taking the trophy home.

Burnley used one  sub late in the second half bringing on veteran winger Leighton James(Ashley Hoskin unfortunatly never made it of the bench on the day), but it was all in vain as Wolves held on to take the Trophy home to the Black Country ,and start a new beginning that would see Wolves amongst the top teams again.

Victory was denied Burnley as the better team won, but victory was too Burnley's from a team that  "refused to die".

A parade awaited Burnley on there return as thousands of fans lined the streets, for return of the conquering heroes.

View a Printer Friendly version of this Story.

Bookmark or share this story with:

The Longside Remembers. Wembley 1988, Burnley v Wolves
Posted by: TheLongside.co.uk (IP Logged)
Date: 20/05/2009 09:09

What do you think? You can have your say by posting below.
If you do not already have an account Click here to Register.

Re: The Longside Remembers. Wembley 1988, Burnley v Wolves
Posted by: BBC 2 (IP Logged)
Date: 20/05/2009 14:04

Just found the DVD of the game...

Re: The Longside Remembers. Wembley 1988, Burnley v Wolves
Posted by: guest (IP Logged)
Date: 20/05/2009 14:27

dont watch it, we loose,(Sm134)

Re: The Longside Remembers. Wembley 1988, Burnley v Wolves
Posted by: jj-hill82 (IP Logged)
Date: 20/05/2009 16:23

Quote:
BBC 2
Just found the DVD of the game...

i've only ever seen the 2nd half of this video, was never allowed to watch the first half, funny that aint it!!!!

Re: The Longside Remembers. Wembley 1988, Burnley v Wolves
Posted by: claretfan1882 (IP Logged)
Date: 20/05/2009 16:25

I thought it was 1989 or is my fuddled old brain playing tricks with me again?

Re: The Longside Remembers. Wembley 1988, Burnley v Wolves
Posted by: morty77 (IP Logged)
Date: 20/05/2009 16:34

I was heartbroken after that game. I do remember how quick it went though. One of the best performances that day from a claret that I have seen - Leighton James was totally unplayable for his 25 minutes or so!



Cheltenham Nap Champion 07/08
Cheltenham Nap Champion 09/10
"Have you had a good day?" "Superb since that clown Lawsy got the boot"

Re: The Longside Remembers. Wembley 1988, Burnley v Wolves
Posted by: guest (IP Logged)
Date: 20/05/2009 16:46

i cried after that,,,im hard now(Sm40)

Re: The Longside Remembers. Wembley 1988, Burnley v Wolves
Posted by: fred dibnah (IP Logged)
Date: 20/05/2009 20:47

I wasn't too despondant after the game tbh, was just glad to have been there, especially after the previous season.
What got me, after the game, were the Wolves fans - you'd have never have thought they just won the trophy judging by the lack of smiles and celebrations.

Re: The Longside Remembers. Wembley 1988, Burnley v Wolves
Posted by: jj-hill82 (IP Logged)
Date: 20/05/2009 21:13

I was at that game altho I don't remember that much of it!!! To make matters worse I had to travel home after the game with my uncle and cousin who are both wolves fans, so it's not one of my best memories!!!!

Re: The Longside Remembers. Wembley 1988, Burnley v Wolves
Posted by: Casper (IP Logged)
Date: 20/05/2009 22:10

Only decided to go the day before and drove down with my brother Pete in his clapped out old yellow Cavalier. It was leaking oil was leaving a purple fog behind it.

We picked up a couple of Clarets fans needing a lift from Charock Richard and although grateful they decided that they did not want to make the trip back with us!!!!

Dont remember too muh of the game but I just loved that feeling that we were back from the black. Got to say I found the Wolves fans on the day to be pretty sorted.

Steve Bull is a git though!

Re: The Longside Remembers. Wembley 1988, Burnley v Wolves
Posted by: BBC 2 (IP Logged)
Date: 21/05/2009 06:26

Yeah, i got on well with the Wolves fans. But like Fred said there coaches passing us on the way out of London were very solemn, where the Burnley buses were jumping.

Re: The Longside Remembers. Wembley 1988, Burnley v Wolves
Posted by: BBC 2 (IP Logged)
Date: 22/05/2009 08:35

(Sm163)

Goto Thread: PreviousNext
Goto: Forum ListMessage ListLog In

Sorry, only registered users may post in this forum.
We record all IP addresses on the Sportnetwork message boards which may be required by the authorities in case of defamatory or abusive comment. We seek to monitor the Message Boards at regular intervals. We do not associate Sportnetwork with any of the comments and do not take responsibility for any statements or opinions expressed on the Message Boards. If you have any cause for concern over any material posted here please let us know as soon as possible by e-mailing abuse@sportnetwork.net
 

Burnley Poll

What film is boss ??