Martin, back at Turf Moor but with a different view on the result.
Clarets must take chance to win, says the Gills’ boss.
Martin Lukehurst as a boy visited Turf Moor to cheer on the Clarets, but on Saturday he returned as Chairman of the opposition, Gillingham FC. Martin was born in Gillingham but his mother came from Brierfield, and Martin used to travel up to visit his grandparents, who lived in Albert Street. Martin was lucky enough to see some of Burnley’s finest teams in the 1950s and 1960s, in the First Division, whilst also supporting Gillingham in the fourth division, as they are now. Martin used to stand on the Longside but on Saturday had a different view, from the Directors’ Box. His father Gerald played for the Gills and created the furniture business of which Martin is now the managing director. Martin hadn’t seen Burnley play for about 20 years before Saturday, “We met Burnley as they went down to the fourth division, and we had 15 years in the Third Division” he said. He was very pleased with Saturday’s victory for the Gills, moving them up to 8th, and promotion is a possibility. Of Burnley he said, “They played well in the first half, and had opportunities but did not take them. John Francis looked dangerous, as did Joe Jakub.” He was pleased to see about 300 away fans had made the trip. He admits he is young to be a Chairman, but was a fan with family connections to the club and he became a director, then after a shake-up, became Chairman. Martin still has family connections locally and hopes to visit Burnley again when hopefully both teams are further up the. Football League