Quantcast

Clarets History

By Tom Pickup
June 26 2006

Burnley were founded in 1882 as one of the founder members of the football league, and since then they have won every major trophy except the League Cup. Their pre-war honours included a second division title in the 1897-1898 season and the F.A. Cup in 1914.

After the war they went on to conquer the first division with an unbeaten run of thirty games, a record that has only been beaten recently by Arsenal. Then came the Second World War and the prospect of second division football, until they were promoted back to the top flight and following that was their first Wembley cup final, against Charlton, which they lost 1-0.

By the 1950’s Burnley had adopted the famous claret and blue, and these colours took them through to the title once again it the 1959-1960 season (see picture above). In 1962 they returned once again unsuccessfully from Wembley, this time Tottenham Hotspur were the victors 3-1 in the FA Cup final.

Then in 1960 The Clarets went into Europe, beating Reims, the French champions, but then going out to Hamburg. But it 1965-1966 Burnley were in the Inter- Cities Fairs Cup, or the UEFA Cup, as it is now known. They defeated Stuttgart and Lausanne of Germany and Switzerland respectably. The Clarets went on with their cup giant killing against Naples before losing to Eintracht Frankfurt at the Turf Moor replay.

By 1983/84 Burnley were at the bottom of the fourth division and facing automatic relegation to the Vauxhall conference, two years they were rock bottom, resulting in the infamous 'Orient Game' (1986/87). The Clarets went in having to win to stay up, they eventually won 2-1 to sent Lincoln City down to the Vauxhall Conference.

In 1988 Burnley went to the Sherpa Van Trophy Final, they lost the game 2-0 to Wolverhampton Wanderers, but now the Clarets were on the up.

In 1992 The Clarets became the second team to win all four divisions, going straight through to the new first division via-Wembley playoffs, they lasted only one season but in 1999-2000, the millennium season they were back under the management of Stan Ternent and chairman Barry Kilby.

After some impressive league and cup runs and investment in the board. Burnley have secured their place in the Championship and investment in players and the stadium from new board member Barry Flood should ensure further success.

Well, after some great cup games this season (2009) it  turned out to be the best season for many a long year.

After winning a nail-biting play off final against Sheffield Utd, Burnley football club are once again in the top flight, The Premiership.

View a Printer Friendly version of this Story.

Bookmark or share this story with:

 

StreamFootball - Burnley