WALKING Clarets encyclopaedia Gareth Murphy proved the strongest link when he was put to the test by the Lancashire Evening Telegraph.

The 23-year-old bachelor was given ten dates from 1991 to 1999 and asked to say who Burnley played, what the score was and, if possible, who scored.

And out of ten posers set by the Telegraph's very own Anne Robinson, reporter Catherine Smyth, he scored nine-and-a-half.

He had a perfect aim on nine questions and although he was a bit wide of the mark on question nine, once the teams were mentioned, he made a good recovery in extra time to recall the match, get the final score correct and name the scorers to boot!

Gareth, of Hilary Street, Burnley, works as a sales assistant at J H Blakey locksmiths in Brierfield.

He is a member of Burnley Supporters' Club, a season ticket holder and has only missed three matches this season.

He said: "I have been watching Burnley since 1987 when my dad first took me on the Turf.

"This memory thing all started when people at work would be discussing forthcoming games and I found I was able to tell them when they last played that team, the score and sometimes who scored.

"People started putting more and more questions to me and now I have a big collection of books on the Clarets. My bedroom is like a shrine to the team with pictures and memorabilia.

"I also have 7,000 club programmes and if anyone offers me one I can tell from the front cover whether I have that issue or not."

Gareth goes to matches with his dad Robin who he said is a font of knowledge on former Clarets players.

And he is hoping to write a book reflecting on a club season, including Clarets facts and figures - from memory of course!

Dates

1. February 16 1991 (Gareth was 13)

2. October 19 1991

3. September 19 1992

4. February 27 1993

5. October 15 1994

6. February 11 1995

7. April 30 1996

8. October 11 1997

9. October 1 1998

10. September 27 1999

Answers

1. Halifax 1 Burnley 2 John Francis (twice)

2. Burnley 2 Walsall 0 Graham Lancashire and Steve Davis

3. Burnley 1 Bradford 0 Mark Monnington

4. Burnley 2 Bradford 2 Steve Slawson, own goal

5. Sunderland 0 Burnley 0

6. Watford 2 Burnley 0

7. Walsall 3 Burnley 1 Kurt Nogan

8. Burnley 3 Carlisle 1 Paul Barnes, Gerry Creaney (two)

9. Manchester City 2 Burnley 2 Andy Payton, Andy Cooke

10. Bristol City 0 Burnley 0