Referee:         Mr. T. Reynolds (Durham)
Linesmen:      Mr. J. K. Parr and Mr. G. W. Lynch
 
Crowd:           47,696
 
Teams
 
Burnley
Blacklaw, Angus, Elder, Seith, Miller, Adamson, Connelly, McIlroy, Pointer, Robson, Pilkington.
 
Manchester United
Gaskell, Foulkes, Carolan, Goodwin, Cope, Brennan, Dawson, Quixall, Viollet, Charlton, Scanlon.

Today, only two days after a gruelling Boxing Day clash at Old Trafford were once again up against the formidable Manchester United. How many teams today would like to play United twice in two days, none would be my answer. Last season we did the double over United and with us winning again just two days ago the expectations were high for us to do the double again. But it wasn't to be, the turkey and mince pies must have lain heavy as we were "stuffed" by 4 goals to 1.

Although Jimmy McIlroy was returning to the side from his recent injury, he for one could not make his customary contribution, and as much as we tried we could not get the ball passed the in form Gaskell., Although we did get the ball in the net first with Pointer netting a disallowed goal. Very shortly after this United wee off the mark with Viollet cracking a shot passed the flailing Blacklaw.

It was Robson though who soon had us back on level terms with a bullet header beyond the reach of Gaskell.

At the half time whistle things were looking good, with the scores level at 1-1 and Burnley looking the most likely to score, the crowd were expecting us to go on and win it.

Throughout the second half Burnley bombarded the United goal but Gaskell was in such good form that he for one was not going to let in any more goals. United had few forays but managed to score three more times with goals from Viollet and two from Scanlon to go in at full time as 4-1 winners.

It was one of those games where we could have won the game by five or six goals to four, but alas it was not to be, and the large crowd left Turf Moor bewildered as to how we had lost this game.
 
Programme Review
 
Both teams as printed in the programme apart from Charlton in for Pearson.
 

 
Harry Potts Calling

The main them of Harry's notes this week was Jimmy McIlroy. Harry was heaping the praise once more on the Clarets idol, who had on the previous Wednesday been presented with a trophy for being voted No 1 Sportsman of The North in a Granada TV poll.
 
Another fact I certainly was not aware of was regarding Matt Busby, apparently according to Harry, Matt spent quite a lot of time at Turf Moor when not watching United, and was always welcome.
 
Of course there was also the customary Seasons Greetings to all the Supporters, from The President, Chairman, Directors, Players and Staff of Burnley Football Club.

MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL AT BURNLEY FOOTBALL CLUB.