IN the latest in a new series in the Lancashire Telegraph former Claret ROGER ELI picks his five-a-side team from his time at Turf Moor

MARLON BERESFORD

Goalkeeper who made over 350 appearances for the Clarets across two spells at Turf Moor. The Lincoln-born stopper joined the club in 1992 from Sheffield Wednesday for the princely sum of £100,000 to solve a problem position for Burnley, who were beginning life in Division Three.

Beresford soon became a crowd favourite at Turf Moor, developing a reputation for saving penalties, but he left the club in 1998, joining Middlesbrough for £450,000 in a shock move.

His time in the north east didn't work out and he returned on loan in 2002 before joining permanently for the following season.

STEVE DAVIS

A Clarets stalwart who finished four short of 400 appearances for the club as a centre back. Initially joined on loan from Southampton to play alongside his namesake before that move became permanent in the summer of 1991, replacing his namesake who had left the club a month earlier to join Barnsley.

Davis was an accomplished ball player for a central defender in this era and became a key member of the Clarets defence as they rose through the leagues, winning promotion from Division Four in his first season at the club.

DAVID EYRES

Liverpudlian Eyres signed from Blackpool in July 1993 and spent four years at Burnley, scoring 55 goals in 214 appearances. At the end of his first season winger Eyres scored the Clarets first goal in the play-off final against Stockport County at Wembley, establishing his reputation at Turf Moor.

Proved his fitness by playing for Oldham until his 43rd year and clocked up an incredible 783 career games as a professional, a figure made all the more remarkable by the fact he didn't make his league debut until he was 25.

ROGER ELI

A cult hero at Turf Moor, Eli was born in Bradford but became an honourary Claret during his time at the club.

Began his career with the club in defence and midfield before making an impact further forward, netting 17 goals in league and cup as Burnley escaped the bottom tier in 91/92.

JOHN FRANCIS

Scored 46 goals for Burnley across two spells at Turf Moor but none are more fondly remembered, or more important, than the last minute winner at York City on Tuesday, April 28, 1992, that finally ended the Clarets seven-year stay in Division Four.

Francis had a habit of scoring big goals and having initially left the club after promotion he was back for the 93/94 season, scoring twice in the play-off semi-final second leg at Plymouth to book the Clarets a date at Wembley.

ROGER Eli explains how he chose his team

HAVING suggested that Clarets' cult hero Eli puts himself in this five-a-side team, that leaves him with four roles to fill, but it doesn't make it any easier for the Yorkshire-born adopted Burnley ace.

"It’s a difficult one. I’d have Marlon Beresford in goal," he begins.

"Steve Davis at the back, the second Steve Davis. He’s a fantastic player.

"I’d have David Eyres in, he’s going to cover a lot of ground in a five-a-side team."

With Eli now told to play himself that leaves a battle for one spot between two players, although Eli could play both and leave himself out.

"There’s so many fantastic players, it will be a massive bench, I’d have about 30 players on it," the 51-year-old said.

"It’s between John Deary and John Francis for the last spot. I’m going to go with John Francis, he scored that goal against York in 1992.

"I played a lot of games up front with John and he’d make a bad ball into a good ball with his sheer pace and strength, which is some quality to have."