Laws Reveals Burnley Heartache

Wednesday boss Brian Laws has revealed his heartache at being given the chop at Turf Moor - but did it turn out to be a blessing in disguise for the defender?

Laws began his footballing career in Lancashire, coming through the Burnley youth ranks before racking up 152 league starts for the Clarets - before being told he was surplus to requirements by incoming boss John Bond.

The Wallsend born defender had picked up the player of the year award for the club in the previous season, but he was shown the door at Turf Moor by the new gaffer just weeks after his arrival.

Laws told the Lancashire Evening Post: 'Bond apparently hadn't seen me play but told me there was no room at the football club for me - I'd just got 'Player of the Year'!

'I'd been at Turf Moor for five years and absolutely loved it. The supporters were fantastic.

'I'd grown up with Trevor Steven, Mickey Phelan and Vince Overson, we had a really good young team, but soon there was a massive divide in the camp and, in the end, I couldn't wait to get out.'

But the decision proved to be a blessing in disguise for Laws - calling at Middlesbrough and Huddersfield en route to his most successful spell as a player - under Brian Clough during the glory days at Nottingham Forest.

Laws went on to collect two League Cup winners' medals and reached an FA Cup final with the City Ground club during his 136 league starts for Forest.

And Laws will be thinking of what could have been as he returns to Turf Moor tomorrow - hoping to leave his former employers with three points firmly in the bag for the Owls.

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