August 25, 1945
Burnley open their league programme today with Liverpool the visitors at Turf Moor. It should prove an attractive start to the season. The home team have brought in Roach, of Manchester United to partner Innard, the Falkirk player, at right back, and Sneddon, of St. Johnstone, is included in the attack which will be led by Brooks.
Liverpool are fielding a strong side which included their well-known fast-moving wingers Nieuwenhuys and Liddell.
The teams will be: – Burnley, Jimmy Strong; John Roach, Donald Innard, G. Wilson, Arthur Woodruff, Harry Rudman; Tommy Gardner, Doug Sneddon, Brooks, George Drury, Peter Kippax.
Liverpool: Dirk Kemp, Jack Westby, Jeff Gulliver, Harry Kaye, Laurie Hughes, Jimmy McInnes, Berry Nieuwenhuys, Phil Taylor, Willie Fagan, Jack Balmer, Billy Liddell.
Under the new competition in which first and second division northern clubs will meet, several teams which have been absentees from Turf Moor for several years will again renew acquaintances with Burnley and add spice to the season’s football fare. Newcastle United, Middlesbrough and Sunderland are among these welcome visitors.
Burnley face the season with optimism, and although several of their well-known players will not be available, it is anticipated that the officials will be able to field a strong side each week. The advent of Cliff Britton as manager should be a great help to the club, for his experiences and keen eye for a player will prove invaluable. He had his introduction to some of the material at his disposal when he came to the ground last Saturday to see the final trial game.
The club has received permission to play several “guests,” including Drury, of the Arsenal, and Pearson, of Grimsby Town, who both took part in the Lancashire Senior Cup game against Blackpool. Martindale, one of the club’s regulars, was called up a short time ago, and it is not known if he will be available.
Mr. Tom Clegg, the chairman, states that Burnley F.C. were hoping to be able to give the spectators some good football and would be able to field a fairly satisfactory side each week.
The best of available players with the clubs of guest players in brackets, is as follows: –
Goal: Jimmy Strong, Bentley.
Backs: Jack Shreeve (Charlton Athletic), Bobby Ancell (Dundee), Donald Innard (Falkirk), J. Henderson, Owens, Wright.
Half-backs: Rudman, Arthur Woodruff, George Bray, G. Wilson, Hargreaves, Sunter, Bannister, Bill Holden.
Forwards: Tommy Gardner, Jim Smith, Oscar Hold (Aldershot), George Drury (Arsenal), Peter Kippax, Billy Pearson (Grimsby Town), Brooks, Ollie Burns, K. Taylor, T. Henderson, Ken Crowther, Brindle, Moss, Hodgson, Mignot, Taylor (a player from a Rossendale junior club).
Those who are either abroad or stationed out of the district with the Forces or on work of national importance include George Knight, Jack Knight, Harry Potts, Len Martindale, Billy Morris, F. Spencer, Taylor, Jack Billingham, Bright, Neil Dougal, Ron Hornby, Bob Johnson, Norman Kirkman, Litherland, Joe Loughran, Marsden, and Harry Mather. Some of these may be able to turn out on occasions with the team.
(Burnley Express: August 25, 1945)
XX
"Play Up, Liverpool" 