Cummings and Goings with Stephen Cummings

I NEVER thought I would find myself writing this, but I was genuinely glad to hear Gary Hickson's voice on Saturday afternoon.

There I was, about to set off for Turf Moor in rainfall so heavy even the local ducks were seen paddling for cover, when Radio Lancashire's unique sports show host let it be known that the game was off.

The news came as a double edged sword. On the one hand the players may have benefited from a break, having played four games in 12 days. On the other, those on duty at Nottingham Forest in midweek would doubtless have relished the opportunity to purge the memory of Wednesday's nightmare.

Not too much should be read into last week's 5-0 thumping. In the first half the Clarets matched their hosts. And had Graham Branch equalised just before Forest got their second, Burnley would have gone in level at the interval and who knows what may have happened then?

Still, football history is littered with ifs and buts. Making its debut on Wednesday was the Clarets' second away strip. For those who have not seen it, the shirt is yellow with black sleeves -- picture Arsenal's away kit and you're not far off.

Very nice too -- but why do we need it?

At the end of last season Burnley's fans were invited to choose one away strip from a selection of three put forward by the club's kit manufacturer. The argument went along the lines that as Burnley supporters would be wearing the kit, Burnley supporters should decide which one they preferred.

And, credit where it's due, this was a positive move from the club.

So why, just three months into the season, has a new kit been introduced? After all there is no danger of clashing colours on our travels. If we cannot play in claret, we will play in blue. Could it be connected with the fact that Christmas is rapidly approaching?

On a more positive note, congratulations are to be extended to the club and Burnley Council who have worked together to rename as Harry Potts Way the section of Brunshaw Road occupied by the club.

Formal recognition of Burnley's greatest ever manager is long overdue. This will be a lasting and fitting tribute to the last man to take the Clarets to the championship and into Europe.

And, as with the Jimmy McIlroy stand, the move shows that though the club is ever more forward looking, it is not afraid to look back and honour its great past.