Another Tilt at the Big Time

Having achieved an against-the-odds promotion from the Championship in the 2013/14 season, hopes were high amongst Burnley FC's supporters that the "biggest underdogs in the history of the Premier League", as Sean Dyche put it, could "make the impossible possible" and negotiate their way to survival in the world's wealthiest and most competitive league. With no wins and just four points and five goals from their opening 10 fixtures, the Clarets initially struggled to get to grips with the demands of performing at a higher level. Yet by the time the New Year rolled around, Burnley - with their trademark tenacity, teamwork and togetherness - had hauled themselves back into contention with a series of increasingly impressive performances which suggested that they were beginning to show that they had what it took to secure another season of top-flight football. But then came a disastrous January transfer window, a run of one win in 14 attempts and a record-breaking goal-drought. Suddenly, Sean Dyche and his men were staring down the barrel ...Stephen Cummings was there for every twist and turn - the highs of the unlikely victory over champions Manchester City, putting Jose Mourinho's nose out of joint at Stamford Bridge, playing Manchester United off the park at Old Trafford and the incredible comebacks at the Etihad and St. James' Park. He was also there for the lows, but doesn't want to detail them here ...