1959/60 Series: Burnley v Fulham

Referee: Mr. A. Holland (Barnsley)
Linesmen: Mr. H. Burns and Mr. F. W. Cooper

Crowd: 30,807

Teams

Burnley
Blacklaw, Angus, Elder, Adamson, Cummings, Miller, Meredith, Lawson, Pointer, Robson, Pilkington.
Fulham
Macedo, Cohen, Langley, Mullery, Bentley, Lowe, Key, O'Connell, Doherty, Haynes, Chamberlain.

Only two games left in the season, and this the last home game, a must win game, if ever there was one. The League table showed us in 2nd place level on points with Wolves but with one game in hand. But the win was not to be as the game finished up as a 0-0 draw. Typical of Burnley, just when we need a good performance they never seem able to do it, how many times over the years have we seen that.

As a footballing spectacle this game was a total non event, full of inconsistency and nervousness, Macedo in the Fulham goal kept us out and our defence coped admirably with anything that the Fulham attack could muster.

It was a very disappointing result for the Clarets faithful, and after the final whistle they left the Turf feeling totally dejected and thinking that any chance we had of winning the title had gone, especially as other results on the day had left us in 3rd place one point behind Wolves and Spurs respectively, and a very tough away game to come against Manchester City on the coming Monday night. Well at least it is in our hands now as the saying goes, all we need is one more win.

Programme Review

Team changes to those printed in the programme were, Lawson in for McIlroy and Doherty in for Jones.

Harry Potts Calling

As this is the final home game of the season I have decided to print most of Harry's notes from this last programme.

"My first words this week must be words of congratulations to all our players for their fine efforts in the exciting finale to this thrilling season of First Division football. Whether playing under your notice or on opponents' grounds where the support has been overwhelmingly in evidence for the other side, they have displayed the greatest interest in the club's welfare and given their all in their efforts to earn success. Now they are within sight of the satisfaction that goes with the winning of the championship, an achievement that now seems to depend upon them giving of their best in our two remaining fixtures as they have done all this season.

Here we are at the last Saturday of a Football League season and the First Division championship is still to be determined. And such are the possible permutations from this afternoon's results that we might find our game with Manchester City, at Maine Road, on Monday evening the only remaining First Division game after today, the answer to what, in any event will go down in the records as about the most closely contested title race in the history of the competition. The issue has been wide open from start to finish, no team in the top bracket ever having had freedom from other clubs breathing down their necks. And what a big share of the excitement of it all we have enjoyed, for we have been in with a chance all the way. The leadership has changed hands many times and I believe we are the only contender who has not actually occupied the top spot. If we reach it now, and we have a big chance, it will mean we keep it and establish ourselves as the CHAMPIONS. With this prospect open to us I confidently anticipate that our home game with Fulham this afternoon will attract one of our biggest League game attendance's of the season.

Finally, I want to thank all our supporters for the splendid way they have encouraged the team this season, both here and in away matches to which they could make their way. It has been most pleasing to our players who join with me in this THANK YOU.

You in turn will, I know, wish to join all at Turf Moor HQ, in noting that our own Jim McIlroy was only just behind Bill Slater, Wolves' Cup Final Captain in the voting for FOOTBALLER OF THE YEAR Trophy. We all feel that before long "Mac" will have the famous statuette to add to his many rewards for his soccer genius and the honourable manner in which he expresses it."

Next game: Manchester City v Burnley - Monday 2nd May 1960.