Burnley FC - This is our Turf

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Season 1 - 2012/2013
Chapter 01: Howe Leaves Burnley
Chapter 02: Ex-Burnley Ace takes Clarets Hot Seat
Chapter 03: Meet the Squad
Chapter 04: Key Players
Chapter 05: Ins & Outs
Chapter 06: Pre-Season
Chapter 07: August 2012/2013
Chapter 08: Injury News - Jason Shackell
Chapter 09: September 2012/2013
Chapter 10: September Awards
Chapter 11: October 2012/2013
Chapter 12: Contract rebel McCann Turns Down Lastest Offer
Chapter 13: Burnleys Injury Problems Continue
Chapter 14: November 2012/2013
Chapter 15: Burnley Handed Tough FA Cup Draw
Chapter 16: December 2012/2013
Chapter 17: Contract News
Chapter 18: Burnley Sign Robert Snodgrass
Chapter 19: January 2012/2013
Chapter 20: February 2012/2013
Chapter 21: March 2012/2013
Chapter 22: Clean-Sweep for Burnley in March Awards
Chapter 23: Alexander Extends Stay
Chapter 24: April + May 2012/2013
Chapter 25: Burnley Crowned Champions
Chapter 26: Burnley Heroes Recognised


Season 2 - 2013/2014
Chapter 01: McCann Finally Signs
Chapter 02: Ins and Outs
Chapter 03: Pre-Season

I'm no god either. I'll be following to see what you come up with.

Good luck with this. It will definitely be a challenge.

Good luck! Burnley are an interesting club in my eyes.

HOWE LEAVES BURNLEY

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Eddie Howe has left Burnley due to family reasons as he travels back down south to be with his family.

"It's been a really tough week," he told Burnley's website.

"To leave is incredibly difficult, but I feel it's a decision I have to make for my family and for personal reasons, which I can't go into detail on."

Burnley confirmed on their website that Howe's exit was due to "personal and family reasons" but joint chairmen John Banaszkiewicz and Mike Garlick said they had not expected him to leave.

"We are surprised and disappointed that Eddie is leaving a great club like Burnley so soon before the start of the season," a statement from the pair read.

"However, we understand that his decision reflects his personal circumstances rather than any matters at Burnley Football Club, be that supporters, the players or the board."

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Burnley have moved quick to appoint former Clarets ace Graham Alexander, who has signed a 1-year deal worth around £9,500 a week. Alexander only has a year to prove that he is the right man to lead the club forward.

Alexander, or Grezza as the fans call him has had previous player-coach roles at Burnley and Preston.

"It's a dream come true to finally get into football management, especially with Burnley, a club I hold very close to my heart. I spent 4 years here as a player and helped us reach promotion to the Premier League; I plan to do the same again but this time as Manager. I can' wait to get in there an meet the lads and get started."

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I'm quite happy with the current squad, I think we have plenty to offer in all areas of the pitch but I think I’m going to need to strengthen in a few positions just to add some depth - The Championship is a long season..

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KEY PLAYERS

After watching my squad train for the first time, I quickly identified 4 key players. These lads will be influential in bringing me success this season and I will need to do my best to get the best out of them and keep them fit.

Jason Shackell

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The Captain. Signed from Derby County for 1.1million just before Eddie Howe left, Jason will be key to helping the team keep as many clean sheets as possible.

Kieron Trippier

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A product of Manchester City’s youth system, Kieron was snapped up by the Clarets for just 200k and he will go on to have a big future in the game, with or without Burnley.

Chris McCann

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Vice-Captain Chris McCann has been with Burnley all his life after breaking into the first team back in 2005. An ever present in the team, Chris will keep the game ticking and offer support all over the pitch.

Charlie Austin

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The goal-machine! If I can get the best out of Charlie I am confident he will finish the seasons top scorer in The Championship! Signed from Swindon Town in 2011 he’s been a constant threat for Burnley, almost scoring a goal every other game!

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INS & OUTS

With only a 250k transfer budget and a 10k p/w wage bill bringing anyone into the squad with any real quality was going to be tough, but with these 3 signings I feel I’ve done just that.

Cristiano Zanetti

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Cristiano came to me on a free transfer on a measly 3.4k a week. He brings bucket loads of experience to a very young squad and will go straight into the team. Being 35 years of age he has only signed a 1 year contract but I have no doubts over his fitness.. after all I was playing regular first team Premier League football at the age of 39.

Adryan

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Adryan joins us from Brazilian club Flamengo after we triggered his release fee of 875k.. To me this is an absolute bargain as not only is he a hot prospect for the future but I plan to play him from the off.

Alan Tate

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Alan joins us on a season long loan from Swansea City. He will provide good completion for the defenders already at the club and will again slot straight into my first team once he's recovered from his broken ribs injury.

Transfers out

I had to sell what I thought where unneeded players to raise the funds for my 3 signings. All the players I let go I felt where not right for the squad I was trying to build and I wish them all the best in their future endeavours.

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PRE-SEASON

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A good pre-season in my opinion. We got well beaten off the teams you'd expect to get beat off, and we thrashed the teams we where expected to beat, the only real disappointment being the bore 0-0 draw against local rivals Accrington Stanley.

Anyway, results are not important in pre-season. I used these games to try new tactics and formations and to make sure all the squad got a decent run out. Bring on the start of the season..

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AUGUST 2012/2013

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Capital Cup First Round
Burnley 1 Morecambe 1 (Burnley win 4-2 on penalties)
Chris McCann x1

Sheffield Wednesday 0 Burnley 3
Charlie Austin x3
Charlie Austin missed penalty.

Burnley 1 Crystal Palace 1
Charlie Austin x1

Watford 3 Burnley 0

Capital Cup Second Round
Tranmere Rovers 0 Burnley 1
Adryan x1

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My first month in management and what a month it was. Two cup wins, a league win, draw and a loss! The win at Sheffield Wednesday was fantastic and for Charlie to get a hat-trick so early on in the season is surely a sign of things to come. However the away defeat to Watford was bitterly disappointing and I hope I don't have many experiences like that again this season. Overall I'm satisfied with how things went this month and hopefully we can push on and up the league.

Player of the month - David Edgar

Although Charlie Austin has scored 4 goals this month those goals game in only 2 games where as David Edgar has been a stand out performer in all 5 games this month.

INJURY NEWS - JASON SHACKELL

Burnley Captain Jason Shackell has been ruled out of action for at least 3 months after picking up a training ground injury this morning. This will be a huge blow for The Clarets as Jason has been in good form already this season. This is what Burnley boss Graham Alexander had to say about it:

“I’m not going to lie, losing Jason is a huge blow for us. The accident happened this morning when Jason fell awkwardly on his ankle and it turned out to be badly sprained. He should be back with us at the start of the busy Christmas period which is a positive.”

Nice story so far man keep it up.

2013-01-06 11:08#75687 promitch : Nice story so far man keep it up.

Cheers mate, it's good to know someone is reading my story I was starting to get worried.

Adryan is an awesome signing for any team, you've done really well to get him.