Frank Teasdale Passes Away
Burnley Football Club have this morning confirmed the sad news that former Chairman Frank Teasdale has passed away. Mr Teasdale, who was in his 80s, held the role at the club from 1985 until relinquishing the role to Barry Kilby in late 1998.
He was Chairman during Burnley’s darkest times during the bleak mid-to-late 1980s, culminating in the club defeating Orient at Turf Moor on the final day of the 1986/87 season to retain their Football League status.
Mr Teasdale initially joined the Board of Directors early in 1985, and was appointed Chairman just four months later, replacing John Jackson.
There was, at that time, a constant battle to juggle finances to keep the club in business, and within a year he had called an extraordinary general meeting to emphasise the desperate cash plight facing the club.
Mr Teasdale was behind a shares issue that aimed to raise the capital from £8,000 to £50,000; then cited as the only option for the club to avoid liquidation.
In 1987, that came even closer to reality, but within a year Teasdale was at the helm as Burnley ran out at Wembley in front of 80,000 supporters at the Sherpa Van Trophy Final against fellow Fourth Division side Wolves.
Burnley’s fortunes were changing and following the appointment of Jimmy Mullen in 1991, Teasdale and the Clarets would enjoy two promotions in three years under his stewardship, in 1992 and 1994.
Fittingly, the last of his eight managerial appointments also provided a catalyst for better days, as Stan Ternent, brought to the club in the summer of 1998, would guide the Clarets into the Championship two years later.
By then, Mr Teasdale had left the Board of Directors, bur he continued his affiliation with the club and was still a regular face in the Directors’ Box at Turf Moor until his death.
Chadwick Media 