CLAMOUR FOR A GLAMOUR TIE CAN OFTEN DISAPPOINT

PotentIallY, Burnley’s europa league opponents were some of the most storied clubs in european football. Sevilla, hajduk Split, Dinamo tbilisi, honved. Burnley have not played a european game since exiting the ueFa Fairs Cup to eintracht Frankfurt on april 18, 1967.

they drew aberdeen. a thrilling trip to the Granite City on July 26 awaits. You’ve got to feel for them over that.

In 1984, non-league Dagenham had a run in the Fa Cup. they beat Swindon, away, after a replay in the first round, won 1-0 at home to Peterborough in the second. Joe Dunwell, the captain, completely miscued his shot which looped over the goalkeeper’s head. In the chaos, a wall behind the goal came down and the referee played four minutes short.

after, we all piled into the home dressing room for the draw. First out of the hat, liverpool.

a cheer of excitement from the players — ‘… will play aston Villa…’ on it went. ‘tottenham… will play Charlton….Manchester united…will play Bournemouth…West ham…’ — big local derby, maybe — ‘…will play Port Vale.’

Finally, Dagenham’s fate was revealed. Match 22 of 32. Carlisle united away. the atmosphere went from jubilant to funereal.

on January 5, untroubled by any lucrative tV coverage, Dagenham made the 654-mile round trip to the north West, and were defeated 1-0.

It would have been cheaper to have lost to Peterborough and kept the wall intact. let’s hope Burnley make europe worth their while.