Poor vintage!

After a brief flirtation with the Endsleigh League big-time, the Clarets slid back into the Second Division last May.

But hopes are high for 1996 that Jimmy Mullen can steer the club back to the promised land of Division One.

Much hinges on the continued scoring power of Kurt Nogan and whether the Clarets can close in on those coveted automatic promotion spots. JANUARY: Burnley begin 1995 with a 2-0 reverse at an icy Portsmouth. That defeat heralds the start of a nightmare eight-game sequence of league defeats.

The FA Cup provides the only bright spark for the Clarets. A convincing 4-2 third round victory at Cambridge United brings the mighty Liverpool to Turf Moor.

A gutsy display from the Clarets, in front of 20,551 fans, forces a replay at Anfield.

FEBRUARY: Former Blackburn Rovers striker Peter Thorne scores twice as Burnley lose a vital six-pointer to fellow strugglers Swindon Town at Turf Moor.

Manager Jimmy Mullen gambles with the loan signing of former England striker Paul Stewart from Premiership Liverpool.

But he fails to impress and is given a rough ride by the home fans as Burnley's slide towards relegation continues unabated. Steve Thompson makes his Clarets debut in a 4-1 trouncing at Tranmere Rovers as Burnley tumble to the bottom of the table.

MARCH: Record £300,000 signing Kurt Nogan gets off the mark with a goal in a vital 2-1 victory over Oldham Athletic at Turf Moor.

But the struggle continues and Paul Stewart is sent-off in a highly-charged 2-0 defeat at Barnsley.

A dreadful display at Derby County, the Clarets lose 4-0, is another major blow to their First Division survival plans.

But goals from young John Mullin and Gerry Harrison secure a crucial 2-1 victory over Luton Town. Then Port Vale are beaten 4-3.

APRIL: Burnley stage a mini-revival and prise themselves off the foot of the table with a 2-0 success over Charlton Athletic. David Eyres and Paul Shaw, on loan from Arsenal, are the men on target.

Hope fades again after a crushing 3-1 defeat at Southend United on Grand National Day. But Derby County are beaten by the same scoreline on Easter Monday.

But the final two matches in April both bring defeat and the Clarets are finally relegated. A 2-1 home defeat to Portsmouth seals their fate.

MAY: With relegation back to Division Two confirmed, the season winds up at Burnden Park.

Tony Philliskirk heads Burnley in front but Bolton, destined for the Premiership, grab a point with a last minute equaliser. Burnley's youth team offer some cheer though, lifting the Lancashire Youth Cup with an accomplished 1-0 victory over a strong Manchester City side at Maine Road.

JUNE: Turf Moor stages the England versus Latvia Under-21 international at Turf Moor on June 7. England win 4-0. Sky Television beam the international live to the nation.

Skipper Steve Davis and striker John Mullin are both linked with moves away from Turf Moor.

Adrian Heath also emerges as a candidate for the vacant assistant manager post at Roker Park.

JULY: Clarets captain Davis surprisingly joins Second Division Luton Town in a £750,000 deal - a Turf Moor record. Striker John Mullin also leaves the club. He links up with Peter Reid at Sunderland. Burnley's pre-season games start badly. They suffer a humiliating 1-0 defeat at Southport and a 3-0 home reverse to Wigan Athletic in the Lancashire Cup.

AUGUST: Spirits are lifted with the £200,000 arrival of giant defender Peter Swan from Plymouth Argyle.

Swan makes his debut as skipper in an encouraging 2-1 pre-season victory over Manchester City at Turf Moor.

The opening game of the season also brings success, a slender 2-1 win over Rotherham.

Progress is also made in the Coca-Cola Cup competition with a 4-1 aggregate victory over Third Division Mansfield Town. SEPTEMBER: September is a mixed month for the Clarets and the final game played in front of the giant Longside terrace.

The Longside is demolished after the Hull City match on September 16 to make way for the new stand.

The Clarets win just twice in the league in September and a 4-2 defeat at Chesterfield brings calls for manager Jimmy Mullen to resign.

Burnley swamp Swansea 3-0 a week later and their form improves dramatically.

OCTOBER: Jimmy Mullen is a candidate for manager of the month after Burnley complete their October league programme unbeaten.

In fact, Burnley produce their most stylish away performance of the campaign with a thoroughly professional 2-0 success at Bournemouth.

Brighton are beaten 3-0 at Turf Moor and Kurt Nogan scores against his former club to set the season alight.

Burnley complete an excellent four weeks with another 2-0 win, this time at Peterborough. The goals arrive from Peter Swan and loan midfielder Paul McDonald. NOVEMBER: An impressive Notts County inflict the first home league defeat of the campaign on the Clarets with a thrilling 4-3 win at Turf Moor.

Gerry Harrison is sent-off a week later as the Clarets slip to a miserable 3-0 defeat at Shrewsbury.

Worse is to come, though, as Walsall knock Burnley out of the FA Cup first round at Turf Moor.

On the transfer front, Alan Harper joins Cardiff City and Nathan Peel moves to Mansfield Town, also on loan.

DECEMBER: Adrian Heath waves a fond farewell to Turf Moor. The popular striker links up with Howard Kendall at Sheffield United as assistant manager at Bramall Lane. Tony Philliskirk joins Cardiff City for an undisclosed fee.

But Kurt Nogan continues his amazing goal-scoring spree. He nets his 20th league and cup goal as Burnley clinch a resounding 4-2 win at Swansea City to secure fifth place in the table.

The club is rocked by the resignation of director Basil Dearing at a stormy Annual General Meeting at Turf Moor two days before Christmas. There is a further shock in store for Burnley fans as Adrian Randall - Jimmy Mullen's first signing - joins struggling York City in a £140,000 deal.

Both Christmas games at Blackpool and Swindon Town are called off because of the severe winter weather.

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