Birmingham City nostalgia: When a four-goal blitz battered the Rams
Brian Halford remembers how Derby County was devastated by Kenny Burns in 1976 at St Andrew’s with a four goal explosion
“I think a different role would suit me better.”
It’s frequently the case that a player is trying to justify a subpar performance when they make that post-match statement. The tired,
out-of-position excuse for why he’s had a “mare”
Or it could just be an honest evaluation of the player’s perceived primary strengths.
And Kenny Burns was undoubtedly right when he said he would be happier in a different position after almost unloading a four-goal
barrage at St Andrew’s to smash Derby County!
Having played as an amateur with Glasgow Rangers before joining the Blues in 1970, Burns had become a victim of his own versatility.
His powerful, aggressive presence could be used up front or in centre defence with similar effectiveness.
He began the 1973–74 season in the back with Roger Hynd and ended up helping Trevor Francis in attack after Bob Latchford was
moved to Everton. He was at the front for the majority of 1974–1975 and in the back for the majority of 1975–1976. at 1976–1977, he
returned to the front.
Burns preferred a defensive role to which he felt his abilities were best-suited—but his performance against Derby on October 2, 1976,
did his argument no favours. He ran the Rams’ defence so ragged that the highly-rated Colin Todd (albeit unsettled having slapped in
a transfer request the previous day) was substituted at halftime.
There was little to suggest what was coming. Blues had won only two of their first seven games, though one of those was a 2-1 triumph
at Aston Villa where Burns was on the scoresheet. Willie Bell’s side had promised more than it delivered. But against a Derby team
missing the influential Roy McFarland through injury, it delivered big-style.
“The scoreline, sensational though it was, did not truly reflect the ease with which bubbling Blues and blockbusting Burns exposed a
team struggling desperately to recapture the old glory,” reported the Mail.
Burns opened the scoring eight minutes in by heading in a cross from Gary Jones. Then, he scored a goal that seemed like it belonged
in the opponent’s box as he finished brilliantly, leaving three defenders standing. Burns scored his third goal of the game on minute 31,
sidefooting in Francis’s cross.
Although Charlie George was ineffective, Leighton James gave Derby a response, but Dave Mackay’s team never seriously considered a
comeback. Three minutes from time, John Connolly made it 5-1 after Burns scored his fourth goal in the 71st minute. Asserting that
the man assigned to keep him in check was mincemeat, the Mail said. Peter Daniel, who was filling in for McFarland, was a sorry
sight.However, Burns had seen with curiosity that Joe Gallagher, his centre-half colleague, had staggered off wounded in the second
half. Maybe the next time there would be a spot available at the other end of the team?
“I am satisfied with my offensive form,” he declared. However, I believe that I would perform better in a different role during the
season. I still believe that my backcourt game is superior. Nevertheless, I had a great time playing this game.
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