Burnley make a rare trip to Sincil Bank this weekend, their first visit to Lincoln City's ground in 27 years. The Clarets last played there on January 30, 1999, in a 1-1 FA Cup fourth-round draw, with Brian Reid scoring their goal.
"Burnley make a rare trip to Sincil Bank this weekend, their first in 27 years when they take on Lincoln City," said Reid, who scored the equaliser that day. The two sides had also drawn 1-1 at Turf Moor the previous December, setting up the replay. That 1998-99 season saw Burnley finish 15th in the old Second Division under Stan Ternent, a campaign now providing a historical footnote for a club currently 22nd in the Championship with just eight points from 11 games.
The team that drew at Sincil Bank featured several players who became club stalwarts. Goalkeeper Paul Crichton had just signed permanently for £100,000 from West Brom. Defender Steve Davis, who would make 327 appearances and serve as captain, was in the back line. The midfield included Gordon Armstrong, a £40,000 signing from Bury, and Micky Mellon, who cost £350,000 from Tranmere Rovers. Up front, Andy Payton was in the midst of a season where he would score 23 goals, finishing as the club's top scorer. Graham Branch, who joined on a free from Stockport County that season, went on to make 344 appearances for the Clarets. Winger Glen Little, who made 37 appearances that year, remained at Turf Moor until 2004.
The current Burnley side faces a different kind of challenge, battling near the foot of the Championship. Their recent form reads one win, two draws and two defeats from the last five games. They were beaten 2-1 by Wolves in their last outing, despite taking the lead through Jamie Vardy. The squad now must find a way to get a result at a ground where their predecessors managed a draw over a quarter of a century ago.
Brian Reid's stint at Burnley lasted just one season, yielding three goals in 33 games before he moved to Dunfermline Athletic. Other members of that 1999 side had varied paths. Neil Moore's season was ended by a leg injury in March, while Steve Morgan moved to Hull City after 20 appearances. Andy Cooke, who didn't play in that specific match, later became a key figure, scoring 61 goals in 203 games before a £300,000 move to Stoke City. Burnley's task on Saturday is to create a new positive memory at Sincil Bank and start climbing the standings. They travel to face an Lincoln side sitting 18th, 15 points behind league leaders Swansea City.
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