Mullin's derby passions run deep

JOHN MULLIN has had a foot in both camps in the past - but he remains claret and blue through-and-through.

And a win over Preston on Saturday would further vindicate his decision to return to Turf Moor last summer.

Mullin spent a month on loan at North End two years ago and played at Burnley in an Auto Windscreens Shield northern section semi-final.

The contrast between that tie and Saturday's sold-out promotion showdown could hardly be greater.

But Mullin had enough of an insight to know what the derby clash will mean to both sides.

"That wasn't as big a game as Saturday, but it was the first time I had returned to Turf Moor, so it was still a special game for me.

"With it being local rivals, and Turf Moor being a big stage, you could tell from the Preston lads that it was an important game for them as well.

"They have a few ex-Burnley players and there are a lot of ways of looking at it.

"But we have got to look at it as a very important match and the chance to cut their lead a bit more."

He added: "It's a massive game, probably the biggest we've had so far this season.

"I think when you look at the fixtures Burnley versus Preston is always going to be one of the biggest games for us, and probably for them as well. Apart from Blackburn, this is Burnley's biggest derby.

"And with all the publicity we've had recently, and another full house, it's going to be some occasion."

Mullin played alongside a number of Preston's current squad during his brief stay at Deepdale.

He is aware of their capabilities but the appreciation is certain to be mutual. And the Burnley players know the force will be with them if they hand their promotion rivals a second successive defeat to trim their advantage to two points. "You've got to give respect to David Moyes and the job he's done there. They have had a good season and like ourselves been up there most of the year.

"They have been on a good run but we are hoping that our good run and form will hit a peak over the next few weeks.

"We are just sitting in there nicely and hopefully we can carry on this run to put pressure on the teams at the top," Mullin added.

After a slow start to the season, Preston have pieced together an impressive run of results to move into the automatic promotion places.

But last year's dramatic collapse, which saw them end up in the play-offs, may still be in the back of their minds, while the Clarets should take strength from the fact that 12 months ago they finished the campaign unbeaten in 11 games.

And this season, Burnley have never lost two League games in a row.

"When we hit a sort of sticky patch a lot of people were saying 'Can we bounce back?'

"But we said all along that we would be judged over the full season and we have managed to get ourselves back into a strong position. But there is still a long way to go," said Mullin.

Shortly after his temporary spell at Deepdale, Mullin re-joined hometown club Burnley in a similar capacity from Sunderland. It took more than a year for that move to become permanent, but Mullin revealed that the seeds had been sown.

"I came to Burnley on loan and showed more of what I'm capable of than I did at Preston.

"I felt that the move to come back here was right and the loan spell sort of convinced me that Burnley was where I wanted to play," said the attack-minded midfield man, who signed on again last summer with the aim of regaining the First Division status he had enjoyed at Turf Moor in 1994.

"Everyone was confident going into the season. I think there's a certain belief and I think we can only go on and get stronger from here," he added.

"Signing Ian Wright has brought a lot more publicity for the club and a lot of hype. But if you sign someone of Ian's stature it's going to bring that.

"All the lads have been just as excited as the supporters. We all want the same thing.

"We all want Burnley to be a big club again, in the First Division at least. There is a lot of optimism about the place."

And Mullin believes Wright's arrival will bring the best out of the rest of Stan Ternent's squad.

"You have not got to let it all faze you and try and rise to it. I can only speak for myself but I would be very surprised if we're not all feeling the same.

"It's great to have this sort of interest in the club and, even for away games, it looks like we'll be attracting full houses," said Mullin, who is revelling in the most prolific run of first-team games in his career.

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