The Martin Dobson column

SATURDAY was a good day all round for the Clarets.

We gained maximum points from the crucial Nottingham Forest fixture, skipper Robbie Blake scored his 100th goal and there was the launch of a new book, 'No Nay Never - a Burnley anthology' by Dave Thomas.

Thomas confirmed to the assembled, in the James Hargreaves Suite at Turf Moor, that 'No he isn't the famous one who ploughed up and down the flanks in the early 70's' but he did confess, in his opening remarks, to a spot of pampering on the Saturday morning.

"I went for a manicure; I like nice nails for a posh do. Not bad for £6.75. Isn't it fun living in Leeds?" he said.

Thomas is a true Burnley FC nut.

He explained: "This book is a celebration of the triumphs and the contributions of great people and great players.

"It is not a definitive history of the club, just a dip into the past; making use of the work of other authors I have come across who have featured BFC in their writing.

"Put any two Clarets in a room and ask them to produce their lists of treasured moments of favourite players, they will come up with many different ideas."

The task of researching, compiling, and interviewing must have been a huge undertaking although he openly acknowledges that the one thing that did fill him with fear and trepidation was the thought of contacting 'The Legend' - Jimmy McIlroy.

Would the great man be approachable and spare a few moments?

His worries were quickly swept away when Jim put him instantly at ease. He could not have been kinder.

Everyone has their stories and reminiscences about the club and it makes for a fascinating read.

Alistair Campbell in his foreword states: "Burnley FC has been responsible for some of the best and worst moments of my life. The long treks back from dire away games, the relegations when in a period of decline, compensated by the great players Burnley fans had the privilege to see and the great matches the older fans can remember from the days when Burnley was one of the greatest clubs in the land."

And what about some of the leading characters?

Judge for yourself. Bob Lord, for instance, was often portrayed as a dictator- Mr Burnley Football Club, who ran the club with an iron fist. To others he was a visionary.

His daughter Barbara said: "His priorities were BFC, work and home."

And on the lighter side of the game?

Sports commentator, Stuart Hall, recalls that "whenever he saw Mrs Lord, she wore a hat which resembled an upturned chamber pot."

Ralphie Coates transfer to Spurs seemed like something out of a John Le Carre spy thriller; cloak and dagger meetings huddled in the back of Spurs manager Billy Nicholson's car somewhere near the M6 motorway.

Tommy Lawton's spell at the club was also mentioned.

In 1935, Tommy's diet consisted of tripe and onions, sausage and mash and potato pie. Not at the same time, I hasten to add.

At 17-years of age, he was happy to sign professional forms for Burnley for £7 a week and a bonus of £2 for a win and a £1 for a draw.

Afterwards he would listen to his granddad analysing the game while eating a slice of his favourite bread and dripping.

"I suppose today, they'd say today it wasn't the proper diet for a growing lad but it didn't do me any harm," said Lawton.

Steve Kindon and Paul Fletcher were the after dinner entertainers on the night and their performances were nothing short of spectacular. Both also spoke about the affection they have for the club.

Kindon, as a 17-year-old, made an immediate impact against Stockport for the B team, Burnley winning 9-2, with Kindo scoring seven.

Fletcher's love affair with the club over ten years as a player continues to the day.

The celebrities, fans and guests mingled together with manager Steve Cotterill and chairman Barry Kilby in a united show of support.

The ex-players were out in force. Jimmy Mac, Waldo, Flynny, Willie Irvine, Brian O'Neil, Adam Blacklaw, Tommy Cummings.

I had the privilege of sitting next to Andy Lochhead; chatting to him long into the night. Emotionally, as the evening was drawing to a close, Andy had a tear in his eye and said: "You know what, Dobbo, it's been a fabulous night. One I'll never forget."

Coming from the big man, who was described by Dave Thomas in the book, as being 'made of indestructible muscle and had a forehead made of granite' that was something special.

Andy's commitment to BFC has never been in doubt. He once nutted himself on a post diving for a header after already scoring four that day and was carried away on a stretcher. It was later discovered the post was split from top to bottom.

But we all knew exactly what Andy was feeling. Burnley Football Club- once it's in there, it's there for ever.

"No Nay Never - A Burnley Anthology" collected by Dave Thomas £16.99. Money raised will go straight into the BFC fighting fund.