FA Cup tie at Fulham evokes fond memories of Jay Rod's first goal for Burnley!

It’s more than 12 years ago since Jay Rodriguez burst onto the scene with his first ever goal for the Clarets.
Everton's English defender Michael Keane (L) vies with Burnley's English striker Jay Rodriguez during the English Premier League football match between Burnley and Everton at Turf Moor in Burnley, north west England on December 5, 2020.Everton's English defender Michael Keane (L) vies with Burnley's English striker Jay Rodriguez during the English Premier League football match between Burnley and Everton at Turf Moor in Burnley, north west England on December 5, 2020.
Everton's English defender Michael Keane (L) vies with Burnley's English striker Jay Rodriguez during the English Premier League football match between Burnley and Everton at Turf Moor in Burnley, north west England on December 5, 2020.

Sunday’s FA Cup tie against Fulham at Craven Cottage evokes fond memories of the moment he got off the mark for his boyhood club

Rodriguez, who was 19 at the time, was making only his second appearance for Burnley when replacing Martin Paterson as a late substitute in the League Cup tie at Turf Moor.

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He said: “I couldn’t wait to get on; it was mental that I was about to run out onto the pitch for the first team. I remember my kit being way too big.

Burnley striker Jay Rodriguez with ex-Clarets winger Chris EaglesBurnley striker Jay Rodriguez with ex-Clarets winger Chris Eagles
Burnley striker Jay Rodriguez with ex-Clarets winger Chris Eagles

“The kitman told me that there was no small or medium available, because I was only skinny, so I had to wear a large.

“I was very scared. I was really nervous and going through so many different emotions. You were just hoping that everything went right.

“It was heading to extra-time and I was thinking ‘I’ve got another half-an-hour of this’, which would have been class.”

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The one-time England international, who had made his debut under Owen Coyle with a cameo against Bristol City the previous season, had just five minutes to make his mark.

And he didn’t disappoint. The striker timed his run to perfection when Chris Eagles supplied the pass and he kept his cool to take the ball around Pascal Zuberbuhler before slotting it home.

“I remember Chris Eagles putting me through, I saw the goal and my first instinct was to take it around the keeper.

“It worked out for me and then afterwards I just couldn’t believe what had happened.

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“It was all just a blur. In training you always practice certain techniques and I would always try to take the ball round the keeper.

“In that moment it happened instinctively and then afterwards, when I rewatched it, I couldn’t believe that I’d done that in what was the biggest game of my life. I was in shock afterwards, I was on Cloud 9, it was just amazing.”

It was the goal that engineered Burnley’s phenomenal run in the competition that year as Coyle’s side went within seconds of the final

But Rodriguez, who equalised late on at home to Spurs in the semi-final, was soon pulled back down to earth

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He scored the winner from the penalty spot against Preston North End the following day as the reserve team won their Central League West fixture at Bamber Bridge.

“My Dad [Kiko] nearly passed out in the stand when I scored,” recalled Rodriguez. “I just came home and I was absolutely buzzing.

“Opportunities like that in football don’t come often so I just had to try and take it. I had to try and change the game and luckily I did.

“But we had a reserve game against Preston North End the next day, I was involved in that.”I’ll always remember Graham Alexander saying to me: ‘Make sure you play well, apply yourself properly and work hard, otherwise that goal counts for nothing’. I’ll always remember that.

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“It brought me straight back down to earth, I worked hard, and I scored a penalty so it was a good couple of days.”

Rodriguez, who has now scored 52 goals in 184 appearances over two spells for Burnley, added: “Terry Pashley would always say ‘you’re only as good as your last game’.

“I’ve always had the attitude that if I give everything, leave everything out on the pitch, then, whatever happens, at least you know you’ve applied yourself 100%. That’s what my parents have always taught me.

“It was a dream come true and I couldn’t believe it. I couldn’t believe my luck, I couldn’t believe that I was in that position, but I always made sure that I never took it for granted.

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“I wanted more of that feeling of what it felt like when scoring that goal.

“It’s one of my biggest moments because it gave me a taste of what I wanted. I’d just scored against a Premier League club so that gave me a lot of belief.

“Scoring that goal gave me the drive to achieve more. It was a massive moment in my career that I’ll always look back on and be thankful for.

“It still makes me happy. It was a great moment, a great time and something I still appreciate. It definitely makes me proud!”