April Fools day will be the last day for Peter Shirtclife's dream of dealing in Football Memorabilia for a full time profession.

   Peter who wanted to do something different, something which incorporated his love of Burnley Football Club and his obsession of collecting sporting memorabilia.

   His first venture was to open in Standish Street in Burnley town centre, he splashed out thousands in his aim to give the town something different, but he soon discovered he was too out of reach for the regular shoppers so far out the nearest pubs (for lunch and a crafty pint) had long been replaced Queens was gone years ago, Netto now stands in its place, and the now shut down the Carlton.

   Shirky then re-opened in Burnley Market hall, and filled his shop with signed Books, Photos, Programmes, Framed Shirts, Shirts to wear, Player Cards, old photos in fact anything which had sporting connections.

   So with all he has collected, and sold and even just to go in and talk football, recently Shirky employed Claret Legend Andy Payton to work along side him in an attempt to bring more Claret Fans into his shop.

   When Brian Jensen had his book published, it was at Burnley Memorabilia where he did a book signing, Shirky tried the lot.

   Burnley Football Club historian Ray Simpson was keen to bring Peter and his dream into the Turf Moor fold, but it wasn't to be. The timing of the whole project seemed to be a key factor in the project falling through, and i for one know both Ray and Peter were gutted nothing came of it.

   Just lately Shirky found technology and opened up a shop-on-line web-site

http://burnleymemorabilia.co.uk/index.php

   But with Peter going back to landscape gardening his true profession (and im not counting playing for Padiham Cricket Club as a profession), he holds on to his dream by trading on Burnley open market on Wednesdays, the day he says is his days of from flower arranging and digging up trees.

   Hats off to Shirky who 'Dared to Dream' and although his dream is still alive and kicking, the financial aspect is making it more and more difficult to succeed.

   You will now find him from April talking Burnley and football in the open market, just look for the stall which looks like an explosion of Claret'n'Blue.