Turf Beat

FORMER Clarets midfielder Kevin Ball took a trip down Memory Lane this week as he returned to East Lancashire for talks with Accrington Stanley.

He finally decided not to make the Crown Ground the next stop in a career that has taken in Portsmouth, Sunderland, Fulham and Burnley but still recalled the great times he had at Turf Moor.

"When I left Burnley it took the wind right out of my sails, having played 43 games last season," he said.

"And while it has been great being able to spend a lot of time with my kids there is no doubt that you do miss the banter and the crack with the lads.

"I have to say that at Burnley it was the best changing room atmosphere I have known, it was superb.

"There is a real buzz and you knew that if you turned up for training one day wearing something that was slightly eccentric then you would get absolutely slaughtered by the rest of the lads.

"It is that sort of stuff that you miss when you are not at a club."

As well as spending time with his children and doing a lot of gardening, Ball has also been invited to do a bit of after-dinner speaking at sportsmans' dinners in the North East.

"I have enjoyed doing that and they have gone down well because I have got a lot of stories to tell," he said. "I like getting up and letting people see a bit of what life as a professional footballer can be like."

With his connections to Burnley there is little doubt he would be a popular speaker at events in East Lancashire as well.

But one thing he does not miss about the area is the weather. Despite the amazing dry spell there has been in the past couple of months he admitted: "As I was driving over on Wednesday I could not believe it, as soon as I hit Blubberhouses it started to rain!"

Little's Greek earner

DIMITRI Papadopoulos could not have been happier as he scored the winner at Huddersfield on Tuesday night but elsewhere it was not such good news for him.

As he walked out for the post match warm down I congratulated him on his goal and he smiled and spoke one word.

"Olympiakos?" he queried.

"Four nil," I replied and he did not need to ask who to. It was only the next day I found out he had had a bet with Glen Little.

It is a good job that he is better at scoring than at betting!

Stan keen on Eddie

FRENCH midfielder Eddie Fal has continued his trial period with the Clarets this week with manager Stan Ternent keen to have an extended look at what he can do.

But with no reserve game to be played until October 15 it has been hard for him to make a final assessment as he explained: "Ideally you would like to look at a player in a match situation but that has not been possible.

"We had the match against Huddersfield on Tuesday but we have got a free week coming up so we might try and sort something out."

Fal has seen the Clarets in action and having played in France, Holland and Scotland he is hoping that East Lancashire might be his next stop.

Lace your boots to kick out racism

ON the first Sunday of next month, the Turf Moor Leisure Centre will host the latest anti-racism 5-a-side with the aim of sending out a strong message.

"I would rather be a Claret than a racist" is the shout they want to be heard loud and clear.

The event is the combined effort of the Clarets "When The Ball Moves" fanzine and the "Kick it Out" anti-racism campaign which has Clarets manager Stan Ternent as one of its patrons.

Also involved in the event is the Football Foundation and the hope is to attract as many teams as possible to make it both an enjoyable and a successful day.

Burnley Football Club's leisure centre is the place, Sunday November 3 the date, and 10am the start time.

The cost is £5 per team with each side allowed a maximum of two subs.

All proceeds are to be put back towards anti-racism charities and other good causes.

To enter, you can leave your details with Linda at the Leisure Centre on 01282 700081, a contact name, address and phone number as well as the team name if possible.

Alternatively you can mail a cheque, made payable to M Barnes, and all the above details to Martin Barnes, 41 Bates Street, Sheffield, S10 1NP.

You can also e-mail barnseytheclaret@hotmail.com or call Martin on 07760 165014.

Nik keeps it clean

THE Clarets' Worthington Cup success rubbed off on a number of ex-players this week as they also did well in the competition - as did current keeper Nik Michopoulos.

He banished unhappy memories of his injury at Cheltenham Town last season when he kept a clean sheet for Crystal Palace in a 7-0 win, his only serious save coming from another player with Turf Moor links, Mark Yates.

At Pride Park winger David Eyres netted a crucial goal to help Oldham defeat Derby County but David Johnson's latest striker for Nottingham Forest was not enough to see them through.

But John Mullin did net the vital penalty for Rotherham in their dramatic shoot-out defeat of Wolves at Millmoor.

Lottery plea

BURNLEY Football Club's lottery department requires half-time draw sellers to sell the Golden Gamble tickets at Turf Moor on match days.

Anyone interested must be over 16 years old and for more information please contact the lottery department on 01282 700023.

Meanwhile, Claret and Blue Bond daily draw members and also Foundation members can now enjoy discounts at various retail outlets.

For more information, call 01282 700023.

Foxes' trip

BURNLEY Football Supporters Club will be running their first ever trip to Leicester City's new stadium in a fortnight's time.

The coaches to the Walkers Stadium will depart from Colne bus station at 10am and then from Nelson bus station at 10.10, Queensgate 10.20, Turf Moor 10.30, Tim Bobbin 10.40 and Rawtenstall at 10.55.

Cost is £10.50 for members, £9.50 concessions and £12.50 for non-members and for full details ring Fraser Eagle (daytime) on 01254 231100 or Yvonne Hudson on 01282 696947 (evenings).