A fan's-eye view from Turf Moor, with Stephen Cummings

IT's time to drag out and dust down that old cliche again. You know - the one about there being 'a buzz around Turf Moor'.

And that was before the sensational news that Ian Wright will be wearing the famous Claret and Blue until the end of the season.

The Wright deal will not only have Burnley buzzing with even more expectation, but it is certain to cause have a massive stir among our promotion rivals. Which brings me back to that 'buzz around Turf Moor' phrase first came into existence circa 1991/92, our Fourth Division Championship season. It was brought into being by Elton Welsby - a man revered by fans up and down the North West.

As Elton smarmed and charmed his way into front rooms the length and breadth of the Granada region, he would, each week, wax lyrical on his favourite topics. These usually included the amazing longevity of John "Aldo" Aldridge and Crewe Alexandra's fabulous passing game.

But you knew it wouldn't be long before he would lean over to his hapless guest (almost invariably Joe Royle), and whisper in a close conspiratorial tone, "Joe, there's a real buzz around Turf Moor these days isn't there?" Joe would inevitably agree, his rationale presumably being that going along with whatever Elton said would speed up his release from his host's slimy clutches.

Anway, the point is that those days maybe about to return. Because following the Clarets hard-earned victory at Bournemouth, Burnley fans are starting to think that automatic promotion is perhaps not as unlikely as it appeared a few weeks ago. Say it quietly, but we might just be in with a shout. Between now and the end of the season, Sunday mornings will be reserved exclusively for poring over the Second Division table. And the closer we get to the finishing line, the more intense these sessions will become. Suddenly life's essentials will boil down to eating, drinking and goal difference.

The next three weeks are of particular vital importance. A win over wobbling Wigan will put us level on points with the Latics. And given that we disposed of a slick passing side like Bournemouth we should surely be able to undermine Colchester. Which would set things up very nicely for the visit of Preston. Should we emerge from these fixtures with maximum points confidence will be sky high.

Ternent has been here before. Only a few seasons ago he led Bury from the pack to clinch the championship. Well, they say history repeats itself, let's hope so. Hell, I could even learn to live with Elton Welsby and his Turf Moor buzz because things seem to be shaping up all Wright now!

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.