FRIDAY night football? I approve. I particularly approve if we win 2-1, play with a bit of flair and end the evening at the head of Division Two.

There is something quite fabulous about being top of the league. I know we've only had six games. I know every killjoy/pundit's knee-jerk reaction line about winning nothing in September. And I know it lasted less than 24 hours. But hell, we were there, and it felt great.

It felt great as we spilled out into Brunshaw Road after the game. It felt great as we celebrated and talked about it in town centre pubs. (Well, a reader did write in last week, telling me I should get out more . . .). And it still felt great when I got home later and read the match reports on Ceefax and Teletext which opened with lines like, "Burnley is proudly on top of Division Two."

Of course, all good things come to an end. And Bristol Rovers had to put the dampners on the weekend by winning 2-0 at Scunthorpe on Saturday. But we've had a taste of what it's like now, and I can't wait to climb back to the summit.

Of course, the best case scenario would see this happen at Deepdale next Saturday afternoon. After last season's double dose of disappointment at the hands of Preston North End, a victory at their place would be extremely well received by the 4,000 Clarets who will make the short trip on Saturday.

With the Clarets looking more organised this season, and Preston yet to catch fire. I fancy us for at least a point. Not that one should ever underestimate the Kurt Nogan factor. Since Nogan left Burnley his knack of scoring against us has been both predictable and deeply unpleasant for Claret fans. It is almost as if he is contractually obliged to find the back of the net every time we meet. Then again he hasn't had Mitchell Thomas to contend with up until now.

Another reason why turning North End over would provide great satisfaction is their ticket pricing policy. £14 for adults and £9 for kids are, even by today's standards, prices to be baulked at.

Why so expensive? If you look at the top right hand corner of your ticket, you will read "Preston North End PLC," as opposed to "Preston North End FC." I shall leave you to draw your own conclusions.

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