In the final part of our serialisation on Mike Phelan’s life story, he tells of Burnley’s rise to the Premier League ... and the famous Clarets victory over Manchester United.

MIKE Phelan must have felt a world away on the day Burnley almost lost their Football League status in 1987, but he was not exactly able to celebrate the crowning moment of their revival 22 years on.

Phelan was in the Norwich side who won 2-1 at Arsenal to claim fifth spot in the First Division as, 250 miles away, his boyhood team were scrapping for their very existence against Orient.

A former Claret who had moved on two years previously, he was a relieved man as Burnley secured the victory they needed to stay up and start a rise back through the leagues that culminated in their return to the top flight in 2009.

Their first home game in the Premier League was one that few will forget as Robbie Blake’s stunning volley gave Owen Coyle’s side a 1-0 win over Manchester United.

For Phelan, though, it was the ultimate irony. He was glad to be there to witness Burnley’s return but, as United’s assistant manager, the three points his current club lost that night would eventually cost them the title in a tight race with Chelsea.

“Looking back, that was one of the games where you could reflect and say if only,” said Phelan, who made 220 appearances for Burnley between 1980 and 1985.

“But that’s the nature of the Premier League.

“There was a sense of occasion from Burnley’s point of view.

“They’d got promoted, they were in the Premier League and their first game at home happens to be against Manchester United. Everything was all in Burnley’s favour.

“From our point of view it was disappointing because it was a Premier League game we would have been expected to take three points from.

“Burnley won because they wanted it more than probably we did at the time.

“At the time it’s a split thing, you work for one club but you admire another.

“It didn’t come any surprise to me that they could put in a performance like they did.

“I think it surprised a few of the Man United players but I know what Burnley is about, the passion there.”

Phelan regrets never securing a victory over Blackburn Rovers during his days in the Burnley first team – losing on both of his league appearances against the Clarets’ fierce rivals.

He was in the dug-out, however, as United beat Blackburn 7-1 earlier this season. He cannot help but chuckle as the subject is raised.

“There are still occasions when the Blackburn supporters will always remember you as a Burnley player, that’s for sure!” he said.

“Occasionally they let you know, whether you’re a player or a member of staff.

“But Blackburn are doing very well. I’ve no problems with Blackburn.”

Phelan is currently overseeing the development of Burnley-born Oliver Norwood, a 19-year-old Northern Ireland international who was loaned to Carlisle earlier in the season.

Fellow midfielder Matthew James, from Bacup and the captain of England’s under 19s, is also back at United after his loan with Preston was cut short by Sir Alex Ferguson following the sacking of his son Darren as manager at Deepdale.

“I used to play with Oliver’s dad years ago when he was at Padiham,” said Phelan.

“Even at Burnley we trained together when we were kids.

“Oliver is progressing and Matty is the same. It’s good that they’re from my neck of the woods and speak the same lingo!

“We’re pleased with the pair of them.”

Phelan still goes to watch Burnley when he gets the opportunity and keeps a close eye on Chris Eagles – the winger who moved to Turf Moor from United and who has cited an ambition to play for England one day.

“That’s Chris,” said Phelan, who admits that potential suitors have sought his opinion on Eagles in recent times.

“Chris wants to fly to the moon, Chris wants to be an astronaut and that is refreshing.

“He’s ambitious, he’s talented and if the jigsaw puzzle comes together for him then he’ll achieve it.

“Chris did very well here. It just came to that point when he needing challenging more and that opportunity came when he went to Burnley.

“I’ve seen him play for Burnley a few times and the crowd have responded to him brilliantly.

“He has brought to Burnley as a town a taste in fashion and cars that is perhaps a little bit different to the area! But that’s Chris.

“I think he’s been creating interest from other clubs. Now and again, you always get people who talk about who’s got it and who hasn’t, could he do this, could he do that.

“That’s not just Chris, that’s loads of players who have come through here.

“They ask what’s their attitude like to this, that and the other, and you can’t fault Chris for any of those things. He’s a good professional.

“He can be as good as he wants to be, as any player can be.

“Hopefully Burnley can get back into the Premier League.

“They still get a massive away support and you can go anywhere in the world and mention Burnley Football Club – as much as you can mention Manchester United.

“A club with history has always got a chance.”