The Book
‘Got To Be There’ is the eagerly awaited first part of Dave Burnley’s autobiography.
This is the story of a fanatical football follower, although this broad description disguises what is almost certainly a unique tale.
This is no Fever Pitch. This is the real deal. It’s unlikely there will ever be a more authentic account of the football experience.
These are the eagerly awaited memoirs detailing an all-consuming passion, an inestimable fanaticism and dedication to a cause, based on the desire of one man to follow his team wherever they were placed in the Football League, despite incredibly difficult circumstances.
Take careful note of these facts.
Dave lives in an isolated Staffordshire village 75 miles from his beloved Burnley FC’s Turf Moor home, and though he can’t drive and has no transport except for a dilapidated pedal cycle utilised only in emergencies, he has not missed a competitive Burnley game, home or away, for 35 years.
He has changed his name by deed poll to that of the club, and his daughter is named Clarette in honour of the club’s nickname of The Clarets.
Given that, you would be forgiven for thinking this is just another tale of a solitary obsessive, grimly ploughing his way through a life of slavish single-mindedness. However, that would be a wholly inaccurate interpretation.
This is a story full of colour, humour and wit, with a rich vein of anecdotes and sharp observations of people, situations and surroundings.
Dave Burnley’s vivid prose will take you through his early life, his introduction to football and of course to his chosen team.
He will take you back to his club’s halcyon days of being regulars in the First Division in the 1960’s, through the tough years of decline, to the Clarets’ date with destiny, the gut-wrenching ‘Orient Game’ of 1987.
He brings to life the sounds and commotions, the fashions and fads of a succession of eras, as seen through the eyes of an utterly devoted fan.
But this is NOT a book just for Burnley fans. It should inspire and be enjoyed by dedicated fans of any club.
The volume takes the form of an autobiography originally handwritten solely by Dave, and is loosely divided into chronological eras of his time supporting Burnley, leading up to the club being just one game from possible extinction in 1987. There are also occasional interludes focussing on a particular aspect of his colourful life.
This is Dave’s first book and represents ‘part one’ of the tale of his lifelong devotion, and is intended to offer a broad appeal to any follower of ‘The Beautiful Game.’
Through all weathers, and no matter what life has thrown at him emotionally, physically, financially or healthwise, Dave Burnley has just ‘Got to be There.’
The book, which is illustrated by more than 25 photographs, many of them exclusively provided by Dave himself, is available for purchase at a price of just £11 in paperback format or £15 hardback, plus post and packing.
To purchase, just click on the illustration of the book cover and follow the simple instructions.