It was sad to read in the past few days of the passing of Scottish footballer and manager Frank Burrows.
Frank Burrows arrived at the club I support just as I graduated from nappies and long before I was even aware the club existed but he became a key player for Swindon Town. He joined in 1968 and formed a formidable defensive partnership with club Captain Stan Harland.
At one stage playing together in the defence they only allowed 35 goals to be scored in 46 league matches, which is an incredible feat.
In 1969 the two would be the pillars of the defence with goalkeeper Peter Downsborough as Swindon upset the mighty Arsenal to win the League cup 3-1 while still in the old Third Division.
I remember watching Burrows play when I first started going to the County Ground and my memories from the Town End are of him being tough, uncompromising, competitive and a leader; as he urged on his team mates in his instantly recognisable Scottish accent.
His playing career was coming to an end as I was edging towards my teens; he would play over 350 games for the club. It was at this time he moved into the flat next to our house in Purton, about seven miles outside of Swindon. Funnily enough ex Swindon Manager Bert Head also lived there for a short period.
Being young and sport mad I would be out in the back garden smashing a football into a cotswold stone wall, which is uneven, and which in turn meant the rebounds were unpredictable. I would then throw myself left and right to save the rebounds and also prevent the ball going through the windows of the house. Frequently I failed and my pocket-money was gone for a few weeks.
One day Mr Burrows saw me diving hither and thither and came down and asked me if I wanted a game. I could not believe it. I was in awe that he lived in the flat next door, so when he asked if I wanted to play football with him I could not believe my luck. I have never forgotten that time. I am not sure how long we played, it felt like hours. One thing I do know is he was very kind to me, allowing me to occasionally win the ball off him.
In the Summer I was in the same piece of garden practicing my cricket. On one particular day I played a mighty off drive hitting the ball on the up, it accelerated off the meat of the bat and started to rise. It then sailed perfectly through the middle of one of four panes of glass in Mr Burrows flat.
The noise brought him and my dad outside. My Dad was fuming that I had managed to break yet another window and was also casting aspersions on my cricket technique and telling me that good players keep the ball on the ground, Mr Burrows then appeared and told a little white lie saying that it had looked an outstanding shot from where he was, and then said that he had not realised how dangerous cricket could be. I was told that I would be paying for the repairs, but as I remember it Mr Burrows generously said that that would not be necessary, he would foot the bill and that “we need to encourage young sportsmen.”
As you can imagine he became an even bigger hero to me. Once he retired he became a player coach at Swindon, which I think would be a strength and conditioning coach today. Frequently he would be in the garden trying out certain exercises. I remember one day asking him what he was doing, and his answer has stuck with me all my life in work and in sport. He said, “I need to make sure that I can do what I am asking the players to do. It is important that you lead by example.”
I followed his career with interest when he left Swindon and went on to a successful career in management especially with Portsmouth and Cardiff City. He had a spell with West Bromich Albion as assistant coach when they won promotion to the Premier League twice. He had to step down when he was diagnosed with cancer of the kidney, which he came through and went back into management.
It has been great to read the tributes from his former clubs especially the likes of Cardiff and Portsmouth where clearly he was still much loved and respected.
Frank Burrows was clearly a special man. He was a fierce, competitive player who had success during his career. Moving into management he was also successful as an assistant and also in his own right as the manager, which is rare in football. What is even more unusual is he went back to previous clubs and again had success; this happened at Cardiff City.
Maybe it was because he was a decent guy, that he treated people with respect. I don’t know how former team-mates and players he coached may feel, but nearly all the comments made since his passing have been very complimentary. As for me he will always be special, because even though he was a professional he took the time to have a game with me in our back garden, not only that he paid for the window I broke!
Rest in Peace Mr Burrows and thank you for touching my life.
Great article.