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| Alan West saw his transfer cancelled |
Manager Jimmy Adamson, on the eve of the new season said, on turning down the offer from United, thought to be no more than £35,000: "It was not a realistic offer for a player of his calibre. We're not giving away players."
But significantly he added: "I have told Alan that if a club makes an offer for him that matches our valuation then I am prepared to let him go." The Roker Park club's manager Bob Stokoe came in with an offer of £70,000, a figure deemed acceptable by Burnley, and so West signed on the dotted line for the Second Division club.
West had refused to sign a new contract with Burnley at the beginning of the season. He'd had a season with virtually no first team football and felt that a move was in his best interests. He was more than happy to join Sunderland and said his farewells at Turf Moor before heading up to Wearside.
The transfer was confirmed but a few days later West was back at Turf Moor with Sunderland calling it off because of a slight back injury which they said may or may not affect his future career.
He was immediately given a few days off by Adamson to think things over with Burnley also offering him new terms. West said he would consider them and it was looking very likely that he would sign and try to win his place back in the Burnley first team.
Adamson said: "The future is now up to Alan. We never wanted to lose him in the first place. It was the player who wanted to get away. If he decides he wants to knuckle down and play for us we'll be delighted to have him back."
The 21-year-old West admitted: "It's very reassuring the way that Burnley have welcomed me back. Football is my life and I've no intention whatever of packing in the game.
"I did not really want to leave Burnley, but I am at an age when I should be making progress and I did not think I was doing so at Turf Moor. If I can find the success I want with Burnley I shall be very happy."
It was later revealed that Sunderland were prepared to go ahead with the transfer under certain conditions, but they were conditions Burnley were not prepared to meet.
Adamson was clearly unhappy about the way it had been handled by Sunderland. "Alan West is one of the six fittest players on my staff," he said. "If all the Burnley first team were put through a medical similar to the one given by Sunderland probably only two would pass.
"How many 100 per cent footballers are there? Alan is 98 per cent and I can see him still playing when he's 35. He's only had treatment for injury three times in the past two and a half years and not one for a back injury."
The last word was with West who said: "I have never even had a twinge in my back when playing. Now I aim to prove to the specialist who advised Sunderland not to sign me that he was wrong."