1991–92 Burnley F.C. season

The 1991–92 season was Burnley's 104th season of League football and their seventh consecutive campaign in the fourth tier of English football. Frank Casper started the season as manager, having been appointed to the post two years previously, before he was replaced by Jimmy Mullen in October 1991.

Burnley

1991–92 season
Chairman	Frank Teasdale
Manager	Frank Casper (until October 1991) Jimmy Mullen (from October 1991)
Division Four	1st (Champions)
League Cup	1st Round
FA Cup	3rd Round
Football League Trophy	Northern Final
Top goalscorer	League: Mike Conroy (24) All: Mike Conroy (29)
Highest home attendance	21,216 v Wrexham (2 MAY 1992)
Lowest home attendance	2,590 v Doncaster Rovers (19 November 1991)
Average home league attendance	10,160[1]
Home colours

Background and pre-season

Frank Casper started the season as manager of Burnley, having originally held the post in a caretaker capacity during the 1982–83 campaign and then returning as the permanent appointment in January 1989.[2] The chairman of the club was Frank Teasdale, who had taken control of Burnley in May 1985. The team had steadily improved since their narrow avoidance of relegation on the last day of the 1986–87 season, and having reached the play-offs at the end of the previous campaign, the Burnley side was confident of achieving promotion back to the Football League Third Division for the first time in seven years.[3]

Burnley began their pre-season with a short tour of Russia in July 1991. A Mike Conroy goal helped the team to a 1–1 draw with FC Dynamo Stavropol in the first game of the tour, followed by a match at Asmaral which ended in the same scoreline four days later.[4] Upon their return to England, Burnley competed in the Lancashire Manx Cup but were knocked out in the group stage following defeats to Bury and Preston North End and a draw with rivals Blackburn Rovers. On 8 August, Burnley played a testimonial match against Oldham Athletic at Turf Moor in honour of former physiotherapist Jimmy Holland, who had assisted the club between 1965 and 1991.[4][5]

Transfers

The majority of the team from the previous campaign remained at Burnley, with only three new players signing permanent contracts during the close season. Mark Yates was signed from Birmingham City on a free transfer, while fellow midfielder Steve Harper joined from Lancashire rivals Preston North End. Fees were paid for two players; striker Mike Conroy arrived from Reading for a transfer fee of £35,000, and central defender Steve Davis, who had spent a spell on loan at Burnley in the 1989–90 campaign, was bought for £60,000 from Southampton.[3] Goalkeeper Andy Marriott also joined the club on loan from Nottingham Forest in August 1991. Several players also departed Burnley during the summer of 1991. Neil Grewcock and Ray Deakin, the last two to remain from the side that achieved a 2–1 win against Orient in May 1987 to avoid relegation to the Football Conference, both left the club; Deakin retired from football at the age of 32, while Grewcock moved into the amateur game with local club Burnley Bank Hall. The contract of Ron Futcher, Burnley's top scorer in the previous season with 19 goals, was terminated by mutual consent and he subsequently joined Crewe Alexandra.[3]

Following the appointment of Jimmy Mullen as manager in October 1991, Burnley resumed their activity in the transfer market. Two more goalkeepers, Mark Kendall and Nicky Walker, were brought in on loan. Adrian Randall arrived from Aldershot in December 1991, while Paul McKenzie joined from Scottish side Peterhead a month later. Burnley's last signing of the season was midfielder Robbie Painter, who was bought for £25,000 from fellow Fourth Division club Maidstone United on transfer deadline day in March 1992.[6] In April 1992, Ian Bray was forced to retire from professional football due to an injury, and Jason Hardy departed for Halifax Town the same month.[7]

In Player From Date Mike Conroy Reading July 1991 Steve Harper Preston North End July 1991 Steve Davis Southampton August 1991 Andy Marriott Nottingham Forest (on loan) August 1991 Mark Yates Birmingham City August 1991 Mark Kendall Swansea City (on loan) December 1991 Adrian Randall Aldershot December 1991 Paul McKenzie Peterhead January 1992 Nicky Walker Heart of Midlothian (on loan) February 1992 Robbie Painter Maidstone United March 1992

Out Player To Date Ray Deakin Retired May 1991 Neil Grewcock Burnley Bank Hall May 1991 Steve Davis Barnsley July 1991 Ron Futcher Crewe Alexandra July 1991 Andy Marriott Nottingham Forest (loan return) November 1991 Mark Kendall Swansea City (loan return) January 1992 Nicky Walker Heart of Midlothian (loan return) March 1992 Ian Bray Retired April 1992 Jason Hardy Halifax Town April 1992

Appearances and goals

No.	Pos	Nat	Player	Total		Division Four		League Cup		FA Cup		FL Trophy
				Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals
	DF		Ian Bray	9	0	5+1	0	2+0	0	0+0	0	1+0	0
	FW		Mike Conroy	51	29	38+0	24	2+0	1	5+0	1	4+2	3
	DF		Steve Davis	53	8	40+0	6	2+0	1	5+0	1	6+0	0
	MF		John Deary	54	7	40+0	6	2+0	0	5+0	0	7+0	1
	FW		Roger Eli	47	17	29+4	10	2+0	0	3+2	2	7+0	5
	MF		Andy Farrell	53	3	38+1	3	0+2	0	5+0	0	7+0	0
	DF		Paul France	8	0	6+0	0	1+0	0	1+0	0	0+0	0
	FW		John Francis	50	11	36+1	8	2+0	0	5+0	0	6+0	3
	MF		David Hamilton	5	0	3+1	0	1+0	0	0+0	0	0+0	0
	DF		Jason Hardy	3	0	2+1	0	0+0	0	0+0	0	0+0	0
	MF		Steve Harper	48	6	31+4	3	0+2	0	5+0	3	6+0	0
	DF		Joe Jakub	52	0	38+1	0	1+0	0	5+0	0	7+0	0
	GK		Mark Kendall	3	0	2+0	0	0+0	0	1+0	0	0+0	0
	FW		Graham Lancashire	35	9	9+16	8	0+0	0	2+2	1	3+3	0
	GK		Andy Marriott	19	0	15+0	0	0+0	0	0+0	0	4+0	0
	MF		Paul McKenzie	6	0	1+3	0	0+0	0	0+0	0	0+2	0
	DF		Ian Measham	37	1	27+0	1	1+0	0	4+0	0	5+0	0
	DF		Mark Monington	17	1	8+4	1	2+0	0	0+0	0	2+1	0
	FW		Peter Mumby	1	0	1+0	0	0+0	0	0+0	0	0+0	0
	FW		Robbie Painter	9	2	9+0	2	0+0	0	0+0	0	0+0	0
	GK		Chris Pearce	22	0	14+0	0	2+0	0	4+0	0	2+0	0
	DF		John Pender	53	4	39+0	3	2+0	0	5+0	0	7+0	1
	MF		Adrian Randall	18	2	11+7	2	0+0	0	0+0	0	0+0	0
	MF		Danny Sonner	3	0	0+3	0	0+0	0	0+0	0	0+0	0
	GK		Nicky Walker	7	0	6+0	0	0+0	0	0+0	0	1+0	0
	GK		David Williams	5	0	5+0	0	0+0	0	0+0	0	0+0	0
	MF		Mark Yates	22	1	9+8	1	0+0	0	0+2	0	2+1	0

Matches

Football League Division Four

Key

In Result column, Burnley's score shown first H = Home match A = Away match

pen. = Penalty kick o.g. = Own goal

Results

Date	Opponents	Result	Goalscorers	Attendance
17 August 1991	Rotherham United (A)	1–2	Conroy 39'	6,042
31 August 1991	Doncaster Rovers (A)	4–1	Conroy (2) 1' (pen.), 85', Harper 73', Yates 77'	2,940
3 September 1991	Chesterfield (H)	3–0	Eli (3) 26', 54', 74'	6,647
7 September 1991	Crewe Alexandra (H)	1–1	Francis 52'	9,657
14 September 1991	Hereford United (A)	0–2		4,400
21 September 1991	Rochdale (H)	0–1		8,663
28 September 1991	Scarborough (A)	1–3	Lancashire 17'	2,596
5 October 1991	Carlisle United (H)	2–0	Pender 23', Lancashire 57'	6,157
12 October 1991	Wrexham (A)	6–2	Lancashire (3) 3', 27', 29', Harper 4', Davis 57', Eli 89'	3,181
19 October 1991	Walsall (H)	2–0	Davis 20' (pen.), Lancashire 23'	7,289
26 October 1991	Lincoln City (A)	3–0	Francis 39', Conroy 75' (pen.), Lancashire 83'	3,235
2 November 1991	Halifax Town (A)	2–0	Deary 55', Farrell 87'	4,491
5 November 1991	York City (H)	3–1	Conroy 10', Deary 16', Lancashire 82'	7,389
9 November 1991	Mansfield Town (H)	3–2	Conroy 7' (pen.), Davis 55', Pender 83'	11,848
23 November 1991	Maidstone United (A)	1–0	Conroy 28' (pen.)	2,375
30 November 1991	Northampton Town (A)	2–1	Conroy (2) 20', 86'	4,020
14 December 1991	Scunthorpe United (H)	1–1	Farrell 34'	8,419
26 December 1991	Rotherham United (H)	1–2	Francis 70'	13,812
28 December 1991	Doncaster Rovers (H)	2–1	Conroy 6', Eli 25'	9,605
1 January 1992	Chesterfield (A)	2–0	Deary 2', Francis 25'	7,789
11 January 1992	Blackpool (A)	2–5	Conroy 63', Francis 70'	8,007
18 January 1992	Gillingham (H)	4–1	Conroy (3) 8', 65', 83', Randall 66'	8,908
1 February 1992	Walsall (A)	2–2	Eli 69', Conroy 83'	5,287
8 February 1992	Lincoln City (H)	1–0	Conroy 45'	9,748
11 February 1992	Northampton Town (H)	5–0	Deary 35', Eli 50', Conroy 56', Harper 68', Francis 78'	8,825
15 February 1992	Scunthorpe United (A)	2–2	Conroy 46' (pen.), Davis 90'	5,303
22 February 1992	Blackpool (H)	1–1	Eli 30'	18,183
29 February 1992	Cardiff City (A)	2–0	Randall 85', Conroy 89'	16,030
3 March 1992	Gillingham (A)	0–3		3,729
7 March 1992	Barnet (H)	3–0	Davis 10', Barnett 52' (o.g.), Deary 61'	12,018
14 March 1992	Halifax Town (H)	1–0	Pender 70'	10,903
21 March 1992	Mansfield Town (A)	1–0	Conroy 41'	8,336
24 March 1992	Barnet (A)	0–0		4,881
28 March 1992	Maidstone United (H)	2–1	Davis 77', Eli 87'	10,986
31 March 1992	Hereford United (H)	2–0	Monington 25', Conroy 30'	10,578
4 April 1992	Crewe Alexandra (A)	0–1		5,530
20 April 1992	Scarborough (H)	1–1	Eli 9'	12,312
22 April 1992	Cardiff City (H)	3–1	Painter 1', Farrell 60', Conroy 63'	12,408
25 April 1992	Carlisle United (A)	1–1	Francis 43'	10,000 (7,500 away)
28 April 1992	York City (A)	2–1	Deary 60', Francis 90'	7,620 (5,000 away)
2 May 1992	Wrexham (H)	1–2	Conroy 33'	21,216
5 May 1992	Rochdale (A)	3–1	Measham 30', Conroy 41', Painter 67'	8,175 (5,100 away)

Expunged fixtures

Burnley played two matches against Aldershot during the 1991–92 campaign, winning both games. However, these results were expunged from official records after Aldershot resigned from the Football League mid-season.

Date	Opponents	Result	Goalscorers	Attendance
24 August 1991	Aldershot (H)	2–0	Conroy, Francis	5,877
21 December 1991	Aldershot (A)	2–1	Harper, Lancashire	2,574

Final league position

Pos	Team	Pld	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	Pts	Promotion or relegation
1	Burnley	42	25	8	9	79	43	+36	83	Division Champions, promoted
2	Rotherham United	42	22	11	9	70	37	+33	77	Promoted
3	Mansfield Town	42	23	8	11	75	53	+22	77
4	Blackpool	42	22	10	10	71	45	+26	76	Promoted through play-offs[lower-alpha 1]
5	Scunthorpe United	42	21	9	12	64	59	+5	72	Participated in play-offs

Source:
Notes:

1. Blackpool won the play-offs and were promoted.

FA Cup

Date	Round	Opponents	Result	Goalscorers	Attendance
16 November 1991	Round 1	Doncaster Rovers (H)	1–1	Davis 26'	7,076
27 November 1991	Replay	Doncaster Rovers (A)	3–1	Harper (2) 38', 50', Eli 86'	4,207
15 December 1991	Round 2	Rotherham United (H)	2–0	Conroy 59', Lancashire 83'	9,775
4 January 1992	Round 3	Derby County (H)	2–2	Harper 6', Eli 84'	18,772
25 January 1992	Replay	Derby County (A)	0–2		18,274

League Cup

Date	Round	Opponents	Result	Goalscorers	Attendance
20 August 1991	Round 1 First leg	Wigan Athletic (A)	1–3	Conroy 8'	2,286
27 August 1991	Round 1 Second leg	Wigan Athletic (H)	2–3	Patterson 47' (o.g.), Davis 79'	3,876

Football League Trophy

Date	Round	Opponents	Result	Goalscorers	Attendance
22 October 1991	Preliminary Round	Blackpool (A)	3–1	Francis 32', Eli (2) 36', 41'	2,805
19 November 1991	Preliminary Round	Doncaster Rovers (H)	2–0	Francis 28', Eli 44'	2,590
4 February 1992	Preliminary Round	Scarborough (H)	3–1	Conroy 56', Deary 63', Eli 87'	2,956
18 February 1992	Northern Quarter Final	Rotherham United (A)	1–1 (a.e.t.) (4 – 2p)	Francis 10'	2,578
17 March 1992	Northern Semi Final	Huddersfield Town (H)	2–0	Conroy 9' (pen.), Eli 24'	10,775
7 April 1992	Northern Final First Leg	Stockport County (H)	0–1		13,259
18 February 1992	Northern Final Second Leg	Stockport County (A)	1–2	Pender 22'	8,260 (2,900 away)

References

General

• Simpson, Ray (2007). The Clarets Chronicles: The Definitive History of Burnley Football Club. ISBN 978-0-9557468-0-2.

Specific

1. Simpson (2007), p. 426
2. Simpson (2007), p. 551
3. Simpson (2007), p. 420
4. Simpson (2007), p. 509
5. Gibbon, Gavin (3 June 2006). "Clarets physio Jimmy dies in Greece". Lancashire Telegraph. Retrieved 10 September 2010.
6. Simpson (2007), p. 421
7. Simpson (2007), p. 500