Clarets Trust advise of our latest Newsletter, announce the winner of the Trust Supporters Clubs Player of the Year Award and provide a statement by Chairman, Peter Pike following our disappointing relegation back to the Championship after just one season in the Premier League

Newsletter # 17 Launched in April

Newsletter #17  provides feedback on our recent 'Holding Court with Laws' evening with Brian Laws and Barry Kilby held in conjunction with Burnley FC .There is also notice of the AGM 2010. There is a reminder of our 'Power of 5' membership campaign and an article about two Trust members who enjoyed a special Jay Rodriguez sponsorship day out at Turf Moor courtesy of VIP match hospitality tickets provided by the Trust.

Newsletter #17 was sent out to all our Membership in the post or by email and it is now available for download from the Trust website.

You can find it in the Trust Newsletter section in the menu (left hand side of home page) but here is a direct link:

Newsletter #17

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Supporters Clubs Player of the Year Awards

And the Winner is?

Following the vote by Clarets Trust members for our Player of the Year for 2009/10 the awards were presented on Tuesday evening in the James Hargreaves Suite at Turf Moor. As in previous years the Trust was represented at the event along with approximately 300 others from Supporters’ Clubs and Groups from far and wide.

The first team squad members were present along with the Manager Brian Laws and his staff as well as the Chairman Barry Kilby and his wife. The evening provided the opportunity for everyone to mingle in an informal atmosphere which allowed younger supporters to get the autographs of the players who cooperated willingly and also posed for photographs.

Awards were made either side of the supper break which was followed by a spot by the current Clarets Youth Development Officer and former player and England International, Martin Dobson who entertained everyone with a few amusing recollections from his playing days.

In addition to the awards by individual supporters’ clubs there were special awards for the promotion winning side from 2008/09 and to the Chairman for his tremendous contribution since taking over at the Club.

For the Trust the award of Player of the Year for 200/10 went to Steven Fletcher who polled the highest number of votes by Clarets Trust members.

A good night for all with a clear result! A voting system that clearly worked

Article written by Trust Board Member, Chris Wells

Clarets Trust wish to thank Burnley FC for the use of the above photograph

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Chairman's Statement following Our Relegation

Both as Chair of the Clarets Trust and on a personal basis I am very sorry to see Burnley relegated to the Championship.  It was pleasing that the fans despite this still gave their support to the players right until the end and even following the result against Liverpool which sealed our fate at Turf Moor.
 
It was, of course, great to have a really good win against Spurs following a magnificent comeback.  A game that at least should send us forward with good heart for the next season
 
Just a year ago was a time of great excitement as the season was rushing towards a climax in which we would achieve a place in the play offs and ultimately our win at Wembley to send us into the Premier at the end of May.  An achievement which was great not only for the Club but also the Town as a whole which was underlined by their memorable return to Burnley when the streets were line by so many people.  It was clearly a dream come true for so many people.
 
It has been a great year in the Premier although the outcome has been disappointing. Of the three teams relegated we are the only one to go down with our finances in a sound position.  The Club now have to start planning for the next season in the Championship and there is a lot to do.  We are in a much stronger position now but must not have any illusions that a return to the top flight is an easy task as we do not have the money to spend that Newcastle has this year or West Brom to a lesser extent.  The Club does however have massive local support and goodwill that will wish them well as the fight starts now to regain a place in the Premier.
 
Difficult decisions will have to be taken and we will all have different ideas but we all need to give our backing to the Club for the task ahead.
 
Up the Clarets.
 
Peter Pike
 
Chair
 
Clarets Trust