The whole family managed to get tickets and, in view of the result, had a great time. Even my Irish daughter-in -law, who cannot really be described as a football fan, became very nervous and excited. To calm myself down, I thought back to the Orient game. There, even a draw could have meant disaster and possibly the club even closing. At this game, failure only meant you stayed in the Championship and got the gate receipts. For all that, I sympathise with the Sheffield lot, who have lost three Championship play-offs and also been twice relegated in very dodgy circumstances. For a club in a town the size of Burnley promotion was a great achievement and even if we go back down the funds generated should serve the club for some time. Board and management seem sensible and even if relegated, Burnley should be debt-free. This is important as the smaller the fan-base the longer it takes to recover from disaster. I cannot see Burnley being taken over by rich foreigners, and life is going to be a struggle, but then it always was. 18 Oct 2009

Bliss!

2009 Championship Play-off Final