I dread to think what the scoreline would have been with Pickering playing. Their right winger was a confident lad but Beck absolutely out played him.

At what point does he have a look at Buckley, who has looked fairly dominant in cup and youth games this season. Whilst the two defensive midfielders are useful in protecting our defence, they offer nothing creatively. I think Buckley as a sub at PNE last week might have kick started an attacking threat. Our predicted line up tomorrow will help us at the back but how cautious do we need to be offensively?

I went to this game. A night match as I recall. I was aged nine. My dad barracked Nobby Stiles several times for some reason. That's all I can remember.

Just got back from this. Very little to write home about. No standout performers on the night and absolutely no sign of the next big thing unfortunately.

Tell us more about the NY Cosmos one of you don't mind. Sounds interesting!

Reminds me of Glen Hoddle in this respect. The difference being that Hoddle, unlike Rooney was actually a magnificent coach but his man management was poor and he gave his players plenty of sharp reminders that he was technically a superior player to them (which he generally was to be fair)

Same for me. Literally every few seconds

Find sky sports plus, mine is channel 412. Press red button your remote control and look at the options

I would snap their hand off for a draw. A couple of shrewd signings and I think we could be competitive in this league, but a draw definitely signifies that we could be heading in the right direction as a club.

Fantastic stuff. Funny to see Rush and Molby still around when they are associated with a different era than the premier league. Watching this makes me realise how much the passion, drive, excitement and aggression of those times has been replaced by the sterile, chess-like, strategic and frankly boring approach to today's game. Another world entirely.

Good to see Buckley laying down a marker for a starting place. Weak opposition but he has controlled the game and is my man of the match. On his day he can offer a more Whartonesque style than Travis or Trondstadt.

I must say I'm not missing Hedges or Dolan from this team, weak opposition notwithstanding. Siggy and Weimann have it all to play for...

Until Luton overtake us with a resounding goal difference tomorrow.

Threw my hoover away.... It was just gathering dust...

Everything about the way he plays football reminds me so much of Bobby Charlton. He takes up the same positions, moves with the same elegance, has the same drop of the shoulder and sprinkles beautiful passes around. What a magnificent talent!

Sincere condolences SC. A beautifully written post. I think it's wonderful that you, as Burnley supporter can post this on here and receive such heart felt sympathy from fellow posters. It speaks volumes as to the decency and generosity of spirit of both yourself and the BRFCS community.

I went to this match. It was shown on ITV's 'The Big Match' the following afternoon. I've never seen it crop up on Youtube, other than very brief highlights, but I remember that it was the lead match on TV. It would be interesting if anyone has a copy of it on video, although 1980 was quite early in the home video format. In fact we didn't get a video until 1986 and that was only because my parents were away for the Royal Wedding of Andrew and Fergie and wanted to watch it when they got back. It seems fairly conclusive that Branagan scored it from the old footage. I like how Garns didn't attempt to set the record straight and still claims the goal 44 years later. I once accused him of being a serial cheat (in an affectionate way)at a Blues Bar event some years ago, and this backs me up.

He's gone from Gordon after the accident to Gordon before it

If Broughton thinks a 23 year old from an inferior league, having recently graduated from college football is likely to be an upgrade on (for example) Harry Leonard and is worth dragging halfway across the world then I would question his credentials to be the Director Of Football at our club. Having assured us that a newly installed system would prevent another deadline day catastrophe, only for this to be seen to be patently untrue, then I again question his credentials to perform his role. I can only conclude that the man is a complete moron. What other explanation can there be.

Apologies if it has been mentioned earlier on this thread but apparently Buckley played tonight.

I don't know if you know a little more than you are prepared to post on this issue Tomphil, and fair play if that's the case, but your post chimes exactly with something I was told on my way out of the Jack Walker Upper after today's game. The chap talking to me is a former long time employee of the club, and his story is identical to yours and was told to him by a club contact. In fact I have been for a meal with family tonight and recounted what I heard, only to arrive home just now and read your assertion. Food for thought indeed!

True, but us deciding to play without anyone in the left back position didn't help either.

Yes, me. Wondering how to get it

I bet you enjoyed your mate Simon's last minute goal 😉

We went 5 at the back for the last 15 minutes there with Pickering at centre half. Surely Hill back there and Brittain to the right would be better?