Clarets' £100m-plus promotion boost '˜great news' for town

Clarets chairman Mike Garlick feels the whole town will benefit from Burnley's return to the big time.
New Clarets' chairmen John Banaszkiewicz and Mike Garlick.New Clarets' chairmen John Banaszkiewicz and Mike Garlick.
New Clarets' chairmen John Banaszkiewicz and Mike Garlick.

The club is set for a record £100m windfall from the new television deal alone, and the whole world will once again be watching as the smallest town in the Premier League competes against some of the biggest names in world football.

Garlick, asked what promotion means to the town, said: “Turf Moor is the cathedral of the town.

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“Everyone goes there to worship, and their prayers have been answered!

“Things are picking up but it has been tough in the town.

“It is great news emotionally and economically for the town, it brings more visitors and interest – there will be a higher profile.”

And he took his hat off to the man he and then co-chairman John Banaszkiewicz appointed as manager in October 2012.

Sean Dyche has guided Burnley to the Premier League twice in three seasons, bouncing back at the first attempt after relegation, and Garlick said: “One in six or seven teams make it back at the first time of asking, so it’s been a tough season.

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“It’s been a grind, week on week, but that’s how we do things, we grind it out with that same team spirit, ethos and belief as we had two years ago - maybe more so this time.

“In August and September, people were talking about play-offs, and not really being good enough for the top two, but month after month we got better and better.

“We had a little blip around Christmas, but since then, wow, a record unbeaten run, and if we can go on and win the title now, that would be even better, and go one better than two years ago.

“We’ve gone up via the play-offs, as runners-up, so hopefully it will be third time lucky as champions!

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“It’s been more exciting this time, more tense, and you look back at the goals against Brighton and Middlesbrough – they were key.

“But all three deserve to go up, they have all lead the table for a period of time, and hopefully whoever finishes third will win the play-offs.”

Burnley broke their transfer record to land Andre Gray for £6m, and his 24 goals have gone a long way to helping secure promotion.

And the club did it while balancing the books after the departures of Danny Ings, Kieran Trippier and Jason Shackell: “We are cash neutral in our transfer business, and Andre has done great for us – the Brentford chairman was chuffed, they will get a knock on for him and Tarky.

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“But Andre came in for Ingsy, we only really replaced Shacks in January with Tarky, and have rejigged things, and you don’t know what gems you have already at the club sometimes.”

Burnley now must look to try and retain their Premier League status for the first time, and follow the example of Leicester, Watford and Bournemouth: “We have to aim to be a better side than last time, better quality, better organised, and that will give is a fighting chance.

“Watford have done very well, as have Bournemouth, and obviously Leicester – well done to them, though they somewhat overshadowed us on Monday!”