JOE JAKUB Within the playing ranks at Burnley Football Club, there is one player with his very own "Dutch Connection'.
Joe Jakub has just had the season of his life in Claret and Blue colours, and now probably cites the most exciting
moment of his playing career as the night the Clarets clinched the Fourth Division title at York City.
But if you had asked him the same question six months ago there would be little doubt as to the answer. Then, the
most exciting highlight of his days in football had come when he was a player with AZ67 Alkmaar and they met PSV
Eindhoven on the night the opponents won the Dutch League.
Joey, of course, started his professional career at Burnley. Born in Falkirk he signed apprentice forms in 1973 and
went on to make his first team debut in the match against Coventry City in April, 1976 poignant in that it was Burnley's
last every game in the First Division.
He went on to play in the first team on and on-and-off basis for three seasons before moving on to Bury where he
helped a team full of ex-Clarets both on the playing staff and in the management team win promotion from the Fourth
Division.
He made around 250 appearances for the Shakers before trying his luck in the Dutch League with AZ67. After an
enjoyable spell with the Alkmaar club he was back in England and had a ever-present season at Chester City before
coming back to his football roots and re-signing for Burnley.
This season has been a revelation for Jakub. He has switched from midfield to left back and belied his 35 years to
make the shirt his own by right and play a big part in bringing the trophy to Burnley.
