Sausage History

Bob Lord’s Sausage was born in April 1997, though it didn’t reach the grubby mitts of the Claret faithful until August of the same year. It is a publication borne out of frustration.

Having had articles published and cocked-up by other Burnley fanzines, Rob Winkley decided to set up a new Burnley fanzine – the philosophy being that if you want to get something done properly, you have to do it yourself. Fellow student colleague Steve Anderson said he’d never get it together – but if he did then he would definitely want to be involved. Finally, the services of Steve Winkley were secured, and the ‘zine came to life.

As any fanzine stalwart will admit, the hardest part of starting up a new publication is the name – what the hell were we going to call it? The original working title was A Pack of Lies, a reference to the legendary Clarets song, Come to Ewood. Other offerings at the first editorial conference included Cloth Caps & Whippets (a self parody based on the stereotype fuelled by Southerners), and Thank You Orient (a genuine thumbs up to the Orient team who played us at the Turf when we almost lost our league status on 9^th May 1987). The clear winner from the moment it was suggested by Steve Winkley was Bob Lord’s Sausage. What better title could there be?

The fanzine is named after the late infamous chairman, Bob Lord, who was a butcher in Burnley as well presiding over the club’s affairs when the Clarets shat on everyone in sight during the 50s and 60s. Described as "autocratic" by patronising BBC and ITV football pundits whenever they remember that Nationwide football exists, a better adjective would be "infuriating" or "arrogant". His record in charge of Burnley Football Club, however, was remarkably good. If only we could repeat those days.

Those who remember Bob Lord will recall that he was a hard bastard who didn’t like people interfering with his club. Those same people will also recall his butchers shops. Legend has it that Bob Lord’s sausages were among the worst in the country – they didn’t just look like dog’s eggs, they tasted like them as well.

Now entering its third season, the Sausage has already developed a cult following and a reputation for pulling no punches, especially where the board of directors is concerned. On his appointment to the board, Barry Kilby was on the front of the Burnley Express commenting that the treatment of the then chairman, Frank Teasdale, had been disgraceful. Isn’t it heart warming to see that the people who run the club read the Sausage? Though perhaps our greatest moment was being slagged off in the Daily Mail by an empty-head called Richard Bott – who proceeded to make up quotes from Bob Lord’s Sausage to fit his patronising article about Chris Waddle

Rumour has it that we are the 43rd Burnley fanzine to hit the streets, though this ‘fact’ has never been substantiated. If anybody can send us a list of the previous 42 publications then we’ll gladly give them a lifetime’s subscription to Bob Lord’s Sausage – the meaty Burnley fanzine with only a little gristle.

Number 1. August 1997. Early Season Optimism Edition.

Number 2. October 1997. Doom & Gloom Edition.

Number 3. January 1998. Crap Chairman Edition.

Number 4. April 1998. Relegation Edition.

Number 5. August 1998. False Dawn Edition.

Number 6. November 1998. Still Here Frank? Edition.

Number 7. February 1999. Spend, Spend, Spend Edition.

Number 8. April 1999. It's All Gone Pear-Shaped Edition.

Number 9. August 1999. Silly Predictions Edition.

Number 10. March 2000. Back From The Grave Edition.