61 games, 25 players used and two minutes away from a Carling Cup Final against the World, European and English Champions would normally be enough for one season, for any normal small town club, but not Burnley, whose 1-0 win against Sheffield United won them the right to play in the biggest league in the world and compete against the best every week, not just in cup competitions.
Owen Coyle has done something that has to be a kin to a miracle at Turf Moor who compiled his squad, spending just £2.5million pounds, and will next season see his side walk out against the biggest earners in the world.
Only Manchester United have played more games this season than Burnley, with their Champions League Final against Barcelona tomorrow night being the 66th game of their season, which has seen them compete in seven competitions, reaching at least the semi final in all of them, and so far winning four of them (including the Community Shield).
Now, I don't need to tell you what the major differences are between Burnley and Manchester United, so for Coyle to coax his team through a 61 game season, and only use 25 players in the process is, without a shadow of a doubt, verging on miraculous, and it just goes to show to the likes of Manchester City and the Chelsea's of this world that you don't need big money to be successful.
Burnley have come through this season because of their spirit and their togetherness. They fight for each other and are more like a family than colleagues, and that has shown in some of their more high profile matches this season, including yesterdays play off final.
4-1 down after the first leg against Tottenham Hotspur in the Semi Final of the Carling Cup, no one in their right mind would have honestly believed that they would be able to pull off a 3-0 victory to take the tie into extra time, and with a little more experience, Burnley may have been able to hold on those last two minutes, which would have seen them through on the away goals rule, and seen them walk out at Wembley against Manchester United.
Wins against Fulham, Chelsea, Arsenal and Tottenham will only have given Coyle's side a taste of what is to the come for Burnley, who despite these encouraging results will need a lot of investment if they are to survive the gruelling Premier League. £60 million pounds should do it, shouldn't it?
That's the price tag that is placed on a place in the Premier League, with its increased television revenue and sponsorship that sees matches beamed all over the world, and for the first time in the 18 year history of the Premier League, people in Asia and America will be able to see how a little Lancashire side called Burnley get on against the might of Manchester United, Liverpool and Chelsea next season.
In previous years Burnley have had to sell one decent player every season in order to stay afloat, they will not have to worry about that this season and if Coyle is wise with his money, and the clubs chairman isn't too frugal with what he gives the Scotsman, there is no reason why Burnley cannot repeat Hull and Stoke's example from this season and stay up.
In terms of sheer size, Burnley are quite likely one of the smallest clubs to have ever graced the Premier League, along with maybe the likes of Bradford City and Swindon Town, but in terms of heart, togetherness and a sheer will to win, they can take on and beat the best.
One question that will be raised is whether the young squad of Burnley will be able to recover from their long, tough, season in the Championship, and be fit, and ready, for an even tougher season in the Premier League? Adrenaline will no doubt get them through their first couple of games, but should Burnley start the season poorly the knives will almost certainly be out for Coyle and his men.
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