It looks from tonight's press release that Barry Kilby, Clive Holt, Brian Nelson, Terry Crabb and Brendan Flood will be leaving the board.

I'd like to thank them for their contributions and I'm sure four of them won't mind if I single out Barry Kilby. We owe him so much. I don't know where we would have been had he not joined the board in late 1998. His dad Roy was a massive Claret who never missed a match home and away until he sadly passed away far too soon. I've got to know Barry well and if and when I next speak to him I'll personally thank him.

There’s only one Barry Kilby!!!

I took 5 minutes out of his life at Cork, last pre-season there, and had the opportunity to thank him for everything he had done for the club and his work with prostate tests. He, more than anybody, turned the club on an upward trajectory.

I sincerely hope he gets a free pass to each and every home and away game.

It's the very least that our incredible hero deserves.

What a great and gracious man - we are forever in his debt.

Thanks for everything Barry, and UP YOUR CLARETS.

ClaretTony wrote: ↑

Thu Dec 31, 2020 1:00 am

It looks from tonight's press release that Barry Kilby, Clive Holt, Brian Nelson, Terry Crabb and Brendan Flood will be leaving the board.

I'd like to thank them for their contributions and I'm sure four of them won't mind if I single out Barry Kilby. We owe him so much. I don't know where we would have been had he not joined the board in late 1998. His dad Roy was a massive Claret who never missed a match home and away until he sadly passed away far too soon. I've got to know Barry well and if and when I next speak to him I'll personally thank him.

" Claret Tony ", you will know better than me, but is there a way you could pen an " open letter " to these Gentlemen, especially Barry Kilby to thank them for all their work over the last 25 years or so, and post it on a format where we could add our names to it ... ??

Can I add my thanks as well.
Had 2 wishes in my life as a fan:
1, see Burnley in the Premier League;
2, see England win a Euro or World Cup

The gents named above, together with their colleagues, made the first wish a reality many times over - thank you.

Clarets4me wrote: ↑

Thu Dec 31, 2020 1:10 am

" Claret Tony ", you will know better than me, but is there a way you could pen an " open letter " to these Gentlemen, especially Barry Kilby to thank them for all their work over the last 25 years or so, and post it on a format where we could add our names to it ... ??

I can certainly put some words together - just get everything confirmed first but I'm assuming he'll be going given the press release.

Clarets4me wrote: ↑

Thu Dec 31, 2020 1:10 am

" Claret Tony ", you will know better than me, but is there a way you could pen an " open letter " to these Gentlemen, especially Barry Kilby to thank them for all their work over the last 25 years or so, and post it on a format where we could add our names to it ... ??

Good shout - now go to sleep C4M, it's late.

Particularly sorry to see Barry leave the board.If any one person brought the club back from the brink it was Barry Kilby.
He always had time for a chat if you saw him around the club on matchdays and he is just a really nice bloke.
Would love to see his contribution to the club recognised in some way..The Barry Kilby Stand or something similar.

CaptainKirk wrote: ↑

Thu Dec 31, 2020 1:13 am

Good shout - now go to sleep C4M, it's late.

I was in bed early, just woken up to take my pain meds !! We're getting " older " Captain .... your parties used to be still going strong at this hour !! All best wishes to you and yours for 2021, " Mrs Clarets4me " and I are to be Grandparents in April !!

Barry Kirby's work particularly with Prostate Cancer has been inspiring. Personally ,I am not sad to see the back of Brendon Flood though, his contribution may be judged in an altogether different light

A club legend Barry and I hoped ALK would have kept him on in some capacity. Thanks for everything Barry!

Could a honoury position be created. Like Club President. A non voting roll?

RammyClaret61 wrote: ↑

Thu Dec 31, 2020 5:52 am

Could a honoury position be created. Like Club President. A non voting roll?

Great idea! He certainly deserves recognition for all he has done for Burnley Football club.

Agree entirely with your post CT. Indeed where would we be now had BK not stepped in. I've never met him but if I did I'd bump elbows and personally thank him, from a distance of course. It would be a great gesture if we (fans) could honour him in some way.

He should be given Club Ambassador status.

Thank you to all of the directors for their great work throughout the years.

Top bloke Barry , as previously stated always had time for a chat , we certainly wouldn’t be where we are now without his commitment, many many thanks Barry .

As a teenager I used to travel to away games with Brian Wren who was a friend of Roy Kilby. Went to one game in Roy's Jaguar!! Years later my son and I then met Barry in a pub in Thornton Heath at a mid week away game against Wimbledon when they were lodging at Selhurst Park. Spent half an hour talking about his Dad, Wrenny and all things BFC. And Barry bought every Claret in the pub a drink. Lovely humble man who has done so much for our great club.

I was getting on a train at Victoria with Bedfords on the way to the Crystal Palace game around 2003 or 4 I think. As we entered the carriage I recognised a face, noticed a Burnley scarf and nodded as we passed. I stopped and said that's the chairman. We turned back and asked if he minded if we had a chat. Not at all lads was the reply.

I was curious why he was alone on a train heading to the game, he replied that he had been on business, stayed over in London and it was the easiest way to make his way to Selhurst. I remember him asking our opinions on Stan and in particular our thoughts on Brian Jensen. It was a very unexpected meeting and he came across as a very genuine and likeable bloke with time to chat about BFC matters to 2 random passing fans.

Woodleyclaret wrote: ↑

Thu Dec 31, 2020 5:03 am

Barry Kirby's work particularly with Prostate Cancer has been inspiring. Personally ,I am not sad to see the back of Brendon Flood though, his contribution may be judged in an altogether different light

Without the impetus provided by Brendon Flood we may never have made the Premier League so I always find the negative comments bizarre.

In my view, all those named deserve a thank you.

Have to echo them thoughts.

And while Garlick has come in for some stick recently, he has played as big a part as any. He took us to and kept us at this level.

Dyche was a master stroke of an appointment. But the board have to take credit for appointing him too.

They’ve backed him. We have made multiple record signings. For figures far beyond Burnley’s dreams. Look at Preston - their record signing is £2m last year. And before that it was David Healy for 20 years!!!

They’ve invested in the fabric of the club. The training ground has come on so much. Even the stadium in fairness. And the club shop is outstanding.

To get us into the premier league. Keep us there. And finish seventh is remarkable.

Kilby before that equally important. We’ve been blessed that every single chairman has had the clubs best interests at heart and in the main left us in a better place than they found us or than where we could’ve been.

It’s sad that we are no longer owned by locals. But if we want to keep pushing on that’s not realistic. I feel reading the statement that the new owners will want to invest in the local feel of the club.

It’s great, exciting news. Let’s hope it works out. Thanks for the memories to the previous regime. Hopefully you can return one day in front of a packed house where we can thank you properly.

Thank you to all the BUrnley directors for all their efforts over the years and seeing us return to the top division. TRUE CLARETS.

I’ll echo what’s been said above, fantastic servants to the club and seen us through some tricky times, as well as the brilliant recent ones.

That's a great post, cricketfield.

arise_sir_charge wrote: ↑

Thu Dec 31, 2020 8:38 am

Without the impetus provided by Brendon Flood we may never have made the Premier League so I always find the negative comments bizarre.

In my view, all those named deserve a thank you.

I agree. Flood brought an energy and ambition that was complimented by the more reserved kilby and co.

They’ve all played a big part in where we are.


Kilby’s goes without saying, Flood was there when we were desperate and took us to levels we could only dream of.
Garlick and John B ran a very steady ship on the whole and established us at this level which seemed impossible.

None of them got everything right, nobody does but they can all be proud of where we are and the part they played in that.

If anyone deserves a stand naming after him it's BK.

Barry will always have a special place the Clarets history.

bfcjg wrote: ↑

Thu Dec 31, 2020 8:57 am

If anyone deserves a stand naming after him it's BK.

Absolutely.

We'd probably have ended up playing on Towneley if not for Barry.
A true Clarets legend.

I have spoken to Barry and his wife Sonia on several occasions, the first time as I slightly over excited fan down at Crow Wood who possibly outstayed his welcome. Though being the polite couple they always were neither Barry or Sonia said anything.

Indeed a few weeks later, I got invited by Sonia to sit with them and have a post work out breakfast before a home game. Despite their wealth and Barry's position you could not wish to meet a more down to earth and grounded couple and believe me Sonia loved the Clarets almost as much as Barry.

When Barry had to take a step back due to health problems, it opened the door for Mike Garlick and JB and it will now be a part of our history.

Even in the midst of his own health issues, Barry firstly looked after his own patrons and people of East Lancashire, inviting men to get checked for Prostate Cancer an event where demand exceeded availability. I thankfully got the all clear.

So, whatever happens next for our Barry I will be thankful for this fellow Claret and Gentleman and for his time at Burnley Football Club.

Thanks Barry

Barry Kilby: a legend and a true gentleman

Milltown1882 wrote: ↑

Thu Dec 31, 2020 1:03 am

There’s only one Barry Kilby!!!

Would be a great chant when fans are allowed back in. I'm sure an appreciated one too.

I hope he remains a fan, home and away. I often saw him and Sonia on the train going to games in London.

When i was diagnosed with prostate cancer a year ago I was in the club shop before a home match.Barry was in the shop buying a couple of the little poetry books he wrote to give as gifts to someone.
We had a chat for a short while about prostate cancer and he was very reassuring and supportive to me.I will never forget Barry for his kindness that day.

Clarets4me wrote: ↑

Thu Dec 31, 2020 1:21 am

I was in bed early, just woken up to take my pain meds !! We're getting " older " Captain .... your parties used to be still going strong at this hour !! All best wishes to you and yours for 2021, " Mrs Clarets4me " and I are to be Grandparents in April !!

Just seen the reply - sorry, I went to bed, you are right we are getting older and with less staying power (so I'm told).
Congratulations in advance to you and Mrs C4M - now you are definately aging!
Happy New Year.

Great opening post , Tony
You are very good with words and I echo everything you have spelt out in that post.
Barry Kilby has not only served this club when it had problems but he is a Top Bloke and a down to earth man.
He had time to talk to supporters before away games by arriving at pre match pub stops to engage with fans.
TOP TOP MAN

Around 2007, my sister won a Turf Moor " Match day " package for two at an NSPCC fundraising dinner, and kindly gave it to Mrs Clarets4me and I. We duly booked our date,( Leicester, on a Tuesday night ) and were told to arrive at the Bob Lord reception at 6.15pm. To our surprise it turned out to be Dinner in the Board-Room with the Directors and Director's Box seats. Sonia was dispensing good cheer behind the small bar, and she and Barry could not have been more gracious hosts, for two people way out of their comfort zone ...

A particular memory was Barry telling Alastair Campbell, " Come on Alastair, shift up ... our guests need to sit and eat " !! Sonia made a fuss of MrsClarets4me, and Milan Mandaric asked me, in broken English, how long I'd been a Director !!

A lovely couple, we were lucky to have him as Chairman ...

I'll never forget the brief 'chat' I had with him on what must have been a stressful day a number of years back now. News had broke that day of Stan Ternent's time as manager coming to an end. I travelled over to Turf Moor from Rawtenstall to get a couple of tickets for friends for the Sunderland game and after buying them Barry Kilby left the ticket office at the same time as me. I just said to him, 'an eventful day Mr. Kilby' to which he replied 'Yes, but change is needed'. Then he inexplicably asked me, 'what do you think'? I was dumbstruck. I'm just a fan and that's all I'll ever be. Fortunately we just smiled and went our own way. Very much a gentleman.

“What do you think?”

I’ve heard that line reported from many fans who’ve had the privilege to meet Mr. Kilby.

“And then he asked ME what I thought!”

If it were a catchphrase it’d be poor but as an insight into the mans character it’s probably very revealing.

I don’t know Barry Kilby and I’ve never met him but I’m infinitely grateful for what he’s done at Burnley FC.

Silkyskills1 wrote: ↑

Thu Dec 31, 2020 10:50 am

Then he inexplicably asked me, 'what do you think'?

He does ask that of fans. The first time I saw him after he'd become chairman was at the Michael Wood services on the M5 going to Bristol Rovers. There were a few Burnley fans in there and he was asking us what we thought of potentially trying to sign a certain player. That means we were trying to sign him although it didn't happen. The player? Richard Cresswell at York, he moved to Sheffield Wednesday (then a division higher) for around a million.

Thanks to Barry and the departing directors.

I thought it was odd that when we played Leeds on the 27th, he was at his business premises (or at least his car was) at the time of the game. Maybe he had expected the takeover to happen around that time also.

Thanks again and enjoy your ‘retirement’.

I was at Clitheroe Grammar when Barry Kilby was there along with Martin Dobson. They were both older than me and I never really knew them although I saw both play football in house matches - they were a cut above the rest! Echoing comments above posts of chance meetings with Barry I met him on a train in London - possibly coming from a game at Palace. We had a chat about the game and BFC and he came over as a genuinely nice man who was prepared to talk to any Burnley fan. We owe him and Stan Ternent a lot for getting us out of League One in 2000.

Mr Burnley: thank you Barry!

All of them have been great leaders and supporters of the club in our recent history. Where would we be without Barry Kirby though. Thank you all

Some fantastic stories regarding Barry Kilby, what a man.
I only met him the once whilst in the queue for a prostate test at the turf. He came down the line and chatted to anyone who wanted a chat. Really nice fella who would talk to anyone.

BurnleyFC wrote: ↑

Thu Dec 31, 2020 10:59 am

Thanks to Barry and the departing directors.

I thought it was odd that when we played Leeds on the 27th, he was at his business premises (or at least his car was) at the time of the game. Maybe he had expected the takeover to happen around that time also.

Thanks again and enjoy your ‘retirement’.

Workaholic. He might not have been able to go to Leeds with the restriction on tickets. I know he was at Man City, maybe he said enough’s enough after that.

BurnleyBob wrote: ↑

Thu Dec 31, 2020 11:02 am

I was at Clitheroe Grammar when Barry Kilby was there along with Martin Dobson. They were both older than me and I never really knew them although I saw both play football in house matches - they were a cut above the rest! Echoing comments above posts of chance meetings with Barry I met him on a train in London - possibly coming from a game at Palace. We had a chat about the game and BFC and he came over as a genuinely nice man who was prepared to talk to any Burnley fan. We owe him and Stan Ternent a lot for getting us out of League One in 2000.

He’s a year younger than Dobbo. Barry is 72 in Jan while Dobbo is 73 in Feb. Both good footballers although Barry only made it to the youth team at Burnley.

Two brilliant people who we should be proud to have associated with our club.

What a leader Barry has been. Always travelled with the fans - always had the best interests of the club at heart. I do hope the new investment will support the club to grow with us.

From past experience a change in the clubs culture, and USP, has often led to disaster. Hopefully, with Sean still around, that won't happen.

A massive thank you to Barry Kilby a very brave man to put cash into a sinking ship at the time.
I remember him cutting his honeymoon short to attend the game in LA against Ventura county true gentleman utc.

A couple of years back I spoke to Ian Wright about his time at Burnley. It was a good conversation and the main thing that stood out was his respect and love (yes love) for Barry Kirby.

Top man I hope he hangs around in some sort of ambassadorial role for the club.