The man with the task of achieving the goal of top-flight football for the Clarets is on the left of this week's picture (captured by "Yours Truly" at the Arsenal match last season), genial Scot Owen Coyle, the Burnley manager.

Owen has now begun to instill in the team his very own trademark style of play and this has been further substantiated by his excellent close-season signings, bringing players of not only skill but also of all-important flair and self-belief. The season of 2008-09 sees my 59th in following the Clarets and the ninth for grandson Nathan, both of us being devotees of the likable and most sociable manager Owen, who we've always found to be a pleasure to talk to.

On the right of our picture, looking down on Owen, is the late affable Harry Potts, a true gent whose team of 1959-60 achieved the ultimate glorious prize of being the best team of every one of the 92 league clubs in the country.

Harry was a truly admirable manager who said at the very beginning of the historic season: "It is customary for each football club to enter upon a new season with the flag of optimism flying high. We pride ourselves on being a footballing team, and no club can be more eager to meet the demand for better play."

As Harry proudly said, no other club played better football that halcyon season than Burnley FC. Let us hope Owen's men this season can emulate Harry's renowned players of yesteryear.