IT’S been described as the game which saved Burnley FC from ‘going out of existence’.
Later this year, exactly 30 years on from the emotional day when the Clarets beat Orient 2-1 to save themselves from relegation to non-league football, a reunion dinner will take place.
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Burnley Former Players Association is now taking bookings for the ‘Orient… 30 years on charity dinner’ which will take place at Turf Moor’s James Hargreaves Executive Suite on Friday, May 5.
The evening will consist of a two course meal and footage and memories of the match will be shared of the day when more than 19,000 fans saw Burnley survive the dreaded and unthinkable drop into oblivion on May 9, 1987.
Among those attending will be players from that pivotal day, including Joe Neenan, Phil Malley, Billy Rodaway, Ashley Hoskin and the scorer of the first goal, Neil Grewcock.
Peter Leebrook is travelling to the event from his home in the USA and Phil Devaney from Switzerland.
Family members of the late Brian Miller and Arthur Bellamy, the management team on the day, have also been invited, along with wizard of the wing Leighton James.
Veronica Simpson, from the players’ association, said: “Everyone who was there that day knows how important it was for us to retain league status.
“Most fans believe the club would have gone out of existence without winning that match.
“I believe the win was as important in our history as the promotions to the Premier League.
“The dinner will also be a chance to celebrate how far we’ve come in that time with the club riding high at the moment.”
Those attending will be given the opportunity to contribute to two charities, the Barry Kilby Prostate Appeal and the Burnley Former Players Association.
That disease claimed the life of the scorer of the winning goal Ian Britton, last year.
The 61-year-old died after a battle with prostate cancer over a prolonged period and he gave his support to former chairman Kilby’s appeal which has seen hundreds of men from the area screened for the disease.
A gold table for 10 for the dinner, including five bottles of wine is £500.
Prices for smaller parties can be arranged.
Contact Veronica Simpson at v.simpson@burnleyfc.com for further information or to book your places on a first-come, first-served basis.
Those who wish to donate auction and raffle prizes can also do so by the same method.
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