Burnley Football Club recently did something incredible. In 2020/21, they achieved promotion back to the Premier League after a campaign full of dazzling displays and history making metrics. The players celebrated their recent 2-1 victory against Sheffield United last Saturday at Turf Moor. This win clinched them their promotion and certainly rounded off what has been an incredible season. Burnley, meanwhile, are on an incredible 31-game league unbeaten run. This unprecedented feat has broken a club record that lasted for 104 years!
Scott Parker became manager in the summer, succeeding Premier League-winning captain Vincent Kompany. On the field under his leadership, Burnley has loaded up the cannons of momentum this season. Parker’s strategic vision, one built on stability and resilience, was evident, with players like Josh Brownhill instrumental to the tactical setup. Brownhill’s two goals against Sheffield United showcased not only his skill but the collective effort of a side that has steadily improved as the season progressed.
A Record-Breaking Streak
Burnley’s unbeaten run in the Championship is now one of the longest since the league’s rebranding in 2004-05, second only to Reading’s impressive streak. This campaign, they have been absolutely dominant, with just 15 goals against in 44 games. With this current record low they are only five goals away from the record high for a 46-game season, set by Gillingham in 1995/96 at 20 goals. The team’s defensive strength has been complemented by an attacking flair that developed as the season drew to a close.
Parker emphasized his team’s ambitions for the coming season, stating, “We’re going to go for it. We’ll enjoy today, but we want to go for the title. That’s exactly our aim.”
> “I’m speechless. All that hard work this season. We’ve been written off so many times, people calling us boring, but we’ve bored our way to the Premier League again.”
Tribute to Leadership
Alan Pace Burnley’s owner Alan Pace appeared delighted with Parker’s leadership as the season went on. He commended Parker’s incessant drive to surpass expectations and find her footing amid the pressure cooker that is the league. Pace added, “I really can’t say enough about the work he has accomplished. On this measure, he has done better than anything he possibly could have said (that first day they met). He’s a league legend alive and well and he’s proven time and again just how to master this league.”
Former player turned pundit, Michael Brown, backed up Pace’s claims, insisting that Parker’s tactics were “too negative” for a manager on home turf. He pointed out that once Parker had Burnley difficult to defeat, he never made things exquisite or complicated defensively. For him to come in and find a way, he kept it basic at first to ensure they were tough to beat. People are going to complain if it’s not exciting but that’s crazy,” Brown said.
As the season wore on, Burnley grew into a higher-pressing, more explosive side. Brown observed, “They got better and better towards the end of the season, then they came out with flair. Players stepped up. I think it is an unbelievable achievement.”
A Strong Finish
Yet their knack of hitting the home straight strong has been key to their superb campaign so far. With only two matches remaining in the Championship, they were forced to face stiff competition from Leeds United. Only a few days earlier, Leeds had just obliterated Stoke City 6-0, topping their last day rivals temporarily with 94 points. Burnley performed with remarkable grit to claim their play-off victory over Sheffield United. This victory locked in their lead so that no other team could overtake them.
Through it all, the team has displayed tremendous consistency and resilience. As such, they’ve managed to quickly rebound back into the Premier League after suffering relegations in 2015 and 2022. Burnley prepares to take on their next test at the top level of English football. They’re intent on not only resting on their successes, but continuing to grow and reach new heights.
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