Memories of Bob Lord revisited by vintage Clarets at Turf Moor

Authors Dave Thomas and Mike Smith organised the evening to coincide with the launch of their biography "Bob Lord of Burnley", which also raised money for the Burnley FC In the Community foodbank.

Hudreds of guests were treated to a host of amusing anecdotes courtesy of former Burnley player and chief executive Paul Fletcher who chatted to fellow former Clarets Trevor Meredith, Frank Casper, Micky Finn and Colin Waldron.

Waldron, who played in defence for Burnley from 1967 to 1976, brought the house down with his light-hearted but less than complimentary views of the controversial chairman and colourful former team-mate Leighton James.

Well-known retired Burnley butcher George Heys, meanwhile, reminisced on how he learned his trade under Lord, who famously made his fortune as a butcher.

Retired Premier League referee Keith Hackett, a guest speaker on the night, drew more cheers from a usual Turf Moor crowd when he declared that Burnley's controversial VAR-disallowed goal against Leicester City should have stood.

Reflecting on a great night, retired teacher turned author Dave Thomas said: "Around 300 people came out on a foul wet night and helped to raise £3,000 for the community café and foodbank. A wheelie bin was also filled for the foodbank was also filled with tins and boxes donated by the guests. It was also a great re-union of ex-players."

In the most touching moment of the evening, Anne McIlroy, the daughter of Clarets legend Jimmy who died last year, was reunited with her father's first Northern Ireland international cap, given to Dave as a thank you a decade earlier for two books he had written about the player.