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Unsworth 'sacrifice' to stay with Burnley

10:42am Thursday 15th May 2008

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BURNLEY manager Owen Coyle has revealed experienced defender David Unsworth would be making a "big financial sacrifice" if he puts pen to paper on a new deal.

The former Everton stopper, who joined the Clarets last August as a free agent, has been offered a one-year contract extension, but in a player-coach capacity.

The training ground work is bound to appeal to Unsworth, who is working towards his UEFA A licence at Scotland's Largs facility this summer.

And he has made no secret of his desire to end his playing career with Burnley.

However, at 34 years old, he still feels he has plenty to offer on the pitch. And having made 28 league and cup starts, that could be a figure he is looking to replicate before his career transfers to a more behind-the-scenes role.

"I think David Unsworth did very well for us in the games he has played," said Coyle.

"I had a lengthy chat with him. I hold him in very high esteem, and I probably see a bit of myself in him.

"He still feels he has got something to offer on the playing front, but I think he maybe won't get as many games.

"It's up to him to prove me wrong."

He added: "It would be a big financial sacrifice on his part and (if he accepts), it's probably testimony to the man he is."

Unsworth, who is expected to inform Coyle of his decision by the end of the week, said earlier in the season: "I said to the gaffer in January that, at this stage of my career, I don't want to be moving around.

"I feel there are still a couple of seasons left in me, without a doubt.

"I've really enjoyed this season, so hopefully we'll sit down and sort something out."

On the coaching front, he added: "I started my badges last season and then they run every summer for a couple of years until you're fully qualified. I've done my UEFA B, so I'm working towards my A licence.

"I'm on the long, arduous journey down the coaching courses, but it's enjoyable.

"We have always been told to do your coaching courses while you are still playing, and since I've done it I wish I had started it earlier."

At the time, he was unsure whether an opening would become available to him at the club.

Now that it has, Unsworth is posed with a dilemma as to whether the prospects for his long-term career outweigh his immediate playing ambitions.

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Your Say YourLancashire Telegraph

claret, says...
11:25am Thu 15 May 08

FORGET ABOUT UNSWORTH - YOUNG JAY IS HARDLY RUSHING TO PET PEN TO PAPER EITHER!!!

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Ben Reilly, says...
11:39am Thu 15 May 08

He'd be sacrificing his dignity if he re-signed for a bottom half club with no ambition like Burnley.

John Harley saw the light - like rats leaving a sinking ship!

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Lancaster Al', Lancaster says...
11:42am Thu 15 May 08

I hope that Unsworth does stay with the clarets next season, as I feel his experience would be excellent if Coyle can bring in some new and younger players. I am a little concerned that we have not, as yet, had any responses from the other out of contract players, especially Rodriguez. It would seem that the offers they have been given are not very good and the respective players are holding out to see what else comes their way??? I would not be surprised to see other local teams, namely PNE, come in for the likes of Rodriguez, as they did recently for our other young lads. I also have to say that I am not, as yet, confident that Coyle can attract the quality of player to Turf Moor which will turn our season into a promotion fight, as opposed to a relegation dogfight. I am one of the fans who has already renewed my season ticket and hope to be rewarded with some decent additions to our little squad, but I am not hopeful of that... We are always going to compete against bigger clubs and wont ever get more fans through the turnstiles, unless we have something to offer them, in the form of a team with ambition, quality and class... We are not and I fear, wont be that team, next season. I truly hope I am wrong and time will tell however, I will still be there next season... Will you?????

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Get Real, says...
1:32pm Thu 15 May 08

Ben Reilly wrote:
He'd be sacrificing his dignity if he re-signed for a bottom half club with no ambition like Burnley.

John Harley saw the light - like rats leaving a sinking ship!
You mean right down in the bottom half. Right near the bottom three. Next to COVENTRY .
And you wonder why everyone laughs at you lot. Little club no fans, no money and soon no Bentley and no Hughes.
Ha Ha Ha

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The Professor, University of Oxford says...
2:32pm Thu 15 May 08

During my ongoing research into the behaviour of football supporters and the subsequent effects of this behaviour upon their dependants and immediate family, I was recommended to study the supporters of Burnley Football Club. I was amazed at the level of ferocity and unbridled anger shown by this sector of the footballing community. The major cause of this anger is undoubtedly an obvious inferiority complex displayed by these supporters. This is definitely an inferiority to the more prestigious and successful local club, Blackburn Rovers whose prestige within footballing circles has obviously created an inbuilt anger which cannot be released by the Burnley supporter. The more famous rivalries within football play each other on a regular basis to provide a release but in the case of the Burnley supporter, several years may pass without the opportunity for their team to face their near neighbour and thus provide the occasion to dispose of their pent up frustrations.
How can this matter be resolved? – Therapy for several thousand persons is out of the question therefore the matter is in the hands of the supporters themselves. The Burnley supporters need to develop an insular support strategy which basically means that all their footballing passions and emotions are channelled in a positive manner towards the team that they support. A positive attitude to the manager and his squad without the tendency to criticise would be beneficial to their emotional state. Any anger and resentment shown to more affluent and prestigious clubs should be avoided at all costs. If this insular passion is transferred to the players in vocal form during matches, then positive scorelines could well be encouraged and a more successful outcome to the forthcoming season may be the result.
The time has come to forget other clubs and concentrate on your own team – the outcome is in your hands.

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The thinker, says...
3:12pm Thu 15 May 08

How refreshing and amusing to read the comments made by the Professor at Oxford. It made a change from the usual pathetic and spiteful comments made by the bunch of morons who regularly write to your paper. As a Burnley supporter though I cannot help thinking there is a lot of truth in what he says.

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Big Dave, Accy says...
3:23pm Thu 15 May 08

The comment from me;land of claret proves that The Professor has hit the nail right on the head - if ever there was a demonstration of the pent up anger discussed - this was it - Spot on Professor.

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Floody Hell, England thank goodness says...
7:19pm Thu 15 May 08

I wonder what Owen Coyle thinks about the dreadful events in Manchester last night, whilst the Scottish fans and politicians blame Manchester police and council, the blame lies with the SCOTTISH yobs who came to the North West. They should know how to behave.

Lets hope the Burnley fans show the Scottish how to behave in our three "friendlies" up there

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facethefacts, says...
8:08pm Thu 15 May 08

The Clarets Mad website is carrying a report that Unsworth has turned down the Burnley offer, likewise Andrew Cole who was offered a "pay as you play deal".
That's what happens when you appoint a property developer to the Board.
GROUND DEVELOPMENT before TEAM DEVELOPMENT and BALANCE SHEET before the TEAM SHEET.
I fully expect young Jay to tell Coyle where to stick his offer as well!!
Division One here we come. So much for a summer spending spree it is the same old bargain basement stuff once more.

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Omar Shariff (remember me), Hollywood says...
8:58pm Thu 15 May 08

Get rid get shut and move on

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bluenwhite, says...
10:44pm Thu 15 May 08

Get Real wrote:
Ben Reilly wrote: He'd be sacrificing his dignity if he re-signed for a bottom half club with no ambition like Burnley. John Harley saw the light - like rats leaving a sinking ship!
You mean right down in the bottom half. Right near the bottom three. Next to COVENTRY . And you wonder why everyone laughs at you lot. Little club no fans, no money and soon no Bentley and no Hughes. Ha Ha Ha
And even after all that still better then you , with more fans, more money and better players.
read it and weep. get real my a**e
he he he he he he he hee

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Get Real, says...
11:06pm Thu 15 May 08

Just got back from the miners have you. SADDO.

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claret, says...
8:00am Fri 16 May 08

THIS STORY WAS RELEASED TO THE LET IN THE FULL KNOWLEDGE THAT UNSWORTH AND COLE WILL NOT BE REJOINING THE CLARETS - AS ALREADY REPORTED ON OTHER SITES.

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Andy Cole, Laughing at the contract offer from Burnley - It was hilarious! says...
8:35am Fri 16 May 08

I only joined you muppets for a bet.

Dwight Yorke owes me a fiver!

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Andy Cole, says...
11:34am Fri 16 May 08

Andy Cole wrote:
I only joined you muppets for a bet.

Dwight Yorke owes me a fiver!
I wanted to play for one sh1te club and one good one in East Lancs. I did the sh1te one a few years ago and now I've done the good one as well. I have noticed that people don't laugh at Burnley quite as much as they do at Blackburn. All of Lancashire laugh at Blackburn.

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Andrew Cole, says...
11:44am Fri 16 May 08

The best club I have played for in East Lancashire is Burnley, at the other end of the M65 is $hit, Ba$tard land.

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Andy Cole, Having a laugh at Burnley, with Dave, John and Jay. says...
11:46am Fri 16 May 08

Andy Cole wrote:
Andy Cole wrote: I only joined you muppets for a bet. Dwight Yorke owes me a fiver!
I wanted to play for one sh1te club and one good one in East Lancs. I did the sh1te one a few years ago and now I've done the good one as well. I have noticed that people don't laugh at Burnley quite as much as they do at Blackburn. All of Lancashire laugh at Blackburn.
Funny that, I actually played in The Premiership with Blackburn. And won a cup.

Not like at Burnley when I had to play in front of less than 10,000 people!

People don't really laugh at Rovers as they are doing well in the best league in the world on limited resources!

The few ones that have actually heard of Burnley all have a good chuckle at the fact that no-one wants to sign for them! Even old man Unsworth tell 'em to swivle!

Anyway, must dash, I'm off to sign for a proper club with ambition that won't be in a relegation battle next season!

Report this post »

Andy Cole, Having a laugh at Burnley, with Dave, John and Jay. says...
11:49am Fri 16 May 08

Andy Cole wrote:
Andy Cole wrote: I only joined you muppets for a bet. Dwight Yorke owes me a fiver!
I wanted to play for one sh1te club and one good one in East Lancs. I did the sh1te one a few years ago and now I've done the good one as well. I have noticed that people don't laugh at Burnley quite as much as they do at Blackburn. All of Lancashire laugh at Blackburn.
Funny that, I actually played in The Premiership with Blackburn. And won a cup.

Not like at Burnley when I had to play in front of less than 10,000 people!

People don't really laugh at Rovers as they are doing well in the best league in the world on limited resources!

The few ones that have actually heard of Burnley all have a good chuckle at the fact that no-one wants to sign for them! Even old man Unsworth tell 'em to swivle!

Anyway, must dash, I'm off to sign for a proper club with ambition that won't be in a relegation battle next season!

Report this post »

Straight Talker, Rossendale says...
12:21pm Fri 16 May 08

Well, the tone of this story appears to be "cut-backs".

Why would he be facing a financial whatever? Are the club offering him less than his current deal?

Also, if the manager sees him as a "quality player", then why the hell is the manager not pulling out the stops to offer him more and keep him on board?

Personally, I think Unsworth is a quality player, but he does lack a bit of pace - however, this is made up for in other aspects of his game.

My true belief is that the club have no money.

Message to the board: I like a kick about now and again.
I am not the best footballer.
I am the wrong side of 30.
I wouldn't mind a few extra quid to turn out in front of a crowd - even though the numbers are dwindling.
You can have my number if you want - I seem to tick all the boxes that Burnley look for in a player!

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Paul Gascoigne, Sat by my phone says...
5:41pm Fri 16 May 08

I love footy I do, I'll play for anyone I will. I've got me own boots and can bring a ball as well if yous like.

Give us a ring Owen.

(I know some lads as have got some nets as well if you needs us to bring them too)

Burnley is way more massive than that shower down the road. They really ticked me off when they doubled the Toon this season.

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J.P, burnley..WE ARE LOYAL says...
10:17am Sat 17 May 08

unsworth,cole,harley
...no to new down graded contracts!!!RELEGATI
ON LOOMS...floods buys wife new ring courtesy of burnleys loyal fans...

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D For Dingle!, Cleavage-r says...
12:57am Tue 20 May 08

If you want some players with top flight experience, you may want to consider, the entire squad from Scotland's top league is available - courtesy of Gretna!

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