No Nay Never volume two book launch

BBC2, Burnleybeerandchips, BfcukBev, theultimatewarrior, ManHug, Fred Dibnah, Marvington, aka_adi, and Becky's Mum were all present, The longside table were missing Cheshire Exile, who unfortunately had a prior engagement, all who were present send him our heart felt thanks, for providing us with the opportunity to wine and dine with some of Burnley's greatest ever players!

The evening started at the Longside's regular meeting place "The Burnley League" where beer is cheaper than most and it has TV's a plenty. It was like a reservoir dogs when we arrived for the England game, with all the men wearing suits, and it wasn't even a court day.

The banter in the Burnley League was fierce, with Manhug's Bradford companions missing all their teams three goals because they did the unthinkable! they left the match early, the match finished Accrington Stanley 2 Bradford 3, with Bradford's goals coming on the 80th, 88th, and 90th Minute,they missed the lot, just the start the night needed. I just love taking the rise out of other teams.

On to the Book Launch then, Dave Thomas the Claret fanatic and one of Burnley's premier writers put together a night which will live long in my memory.

The night where the food was fantastic, theultimatewarrior making sure ManHug ate what was put in front of him, quality banter, in ManHug's words "Don't eat Lamb", but he tried and mmmmmm tried a little more, much to the amusement of Fred Dibnah, TUW,BBC and myself.I am waiting for ManHugs experimenting with food part two in the coming weeks.

After the food it was like a scene from Takashi's Castle with every one clamouring to collect autographs and talk to the likes of Eric Pollard & Jarvis both stars from the screen with Emmerdale, Martin Dobson, Frank Casper, Ray Pointer, Jimmy Robson, Roger Eli, Super Johnny Francis, Steve Kindon, Ian Brennan, Ian Britton and of couse The greatest Claret there has ever been Jimmy McIlroy.

Another famous name, to slip under the celebrity guest list was none other than Spandau Ballet front man Tony Hadley, of better known as BfcukBevs fella, never seen a bloke go so red, as the now named "Tony".

All the tables were full with over 250 clarets fans making this a night to remember, With Books sold on the night, I haven't had chance to read it yet, but on a quick flick through looks fantastic (Watch this space for a complete Book review).

As normal with Burnley football club events, Carl Sanderson was on hand for any eventuality with a calmness and professional attitude, Burnley football club events are becoming renowned for, also present was Anthony Fairclough who was welcomed back to the club on the microphone by none other than B-O-G-G-O-F yep Geoff Brown, in his unique style, he even managed to plug his Mortgage advert what annoys everyone who listens to 2BR on a regular basis, another who was on hand was Chris Gibson, but thankfully he wasn't dressed in lederhosen TFFT.

After collecting autographs, Jeff Brown welcomed star turn Steve Kindon onto the stage, and I now understand why they called him the wardrobe? he wouldn't look out of place in the front row of England rugby union side.

This was the first time I had seen Kindon as an after dinner speaker, and he was fantastic, his mickey taking held no bounds, and with his story on the Celtic game which all of us had heard so much about, was just great, the big man has an aura that submerges you in his voice and effortlessly draws you a picture.

Kindon's effortless ability to hold an audience, was none more so when he told of his return to Burnley in 1977, and the contract talks with Bob Lord, the anecdote with the gold pen, left us all with a shiver down our spines.

Jeff Brown, came on for the auction late on, and the articles on offer were just fantastic, none more so than the signed photo of Bob Kelly, a Claret stalwart who played over 300 games for the Clarets between 1913 and 1925, unbelievable how this article got handed to raise money for the youth set up, just goes to show how much the youth set up means to so many people.

Jay Rodriguez gave up his match winning ball against Fulham, the first of his Burnley career which sold for £500, his shirts went too, one to a young Man Utd fan, but on winning it he let slip he follows the reds, this until he had to pass Steve Kindon, the young lad soon became a claret! but would you argue with the man who could fill a lift on his own?

The winner of this night was Burnley Football Club, because with fans like those who paid through their noses for items, and those who selflessly sponsored the night with no thought of glory for themselves.

But most of all it was a glorious success for Burnley fanatic Dave Thomas who put his pen where his heart is, and created a masterpiece for Claret fans young and old to read and enjoy.

On a personal note, a big big thank you goes to someone who couldn't be there, and that Thank You is from all on Table 7.