Arthur Bellamy signed for Chesterfield |
The sale of Kindon was probably not too much of a surprise. He'd started the 1971/72 season in his customary left wing position but after five games lost his place to youngster Leighton James. He went on to start another eleven games in the second division but only one of those were in that favoured position.
He'd very much fallen out of favour during the previous season and was no longer likely to be in Jimmy Adamson's first choice side. His £100,000 transfer to Wolves meant a return to the first division where he'd enjoyed his best season in Burnley colours in 1969/70 with 17 goals.
Whilst the fans were absorbing that news there was more to come with Arthur Bellamy signing for Chesterfield. He too had fallen out of favour and was left out after the Easter defeat against Sunderland in his native North East. That proved to be his last game for the club.
Manager Adamson said it was an economic decision based on the fact that Bellamy would no longer be a first team player, but said of him: "Arthur has always been a good professional and was very popular with the other players. He was never any trouble and I only wish there were more like him."
Bellamy had played 250 games for Burnley since making his debut at Manchester City over nine years earlier. It wasn't the news he wanted and admitted: "It's a big wrench leaving Burnley."
There was big disappointment amongst the fans at the departure of Bellamy and that was also reflected in the dressing room. "Arthur was so well liked by the players and was a bit of a comedian in his own way," said captain Martin Dobson.
"As a player he was very well respected. He was a good competitor and he would always do well for us."
So, as the 1972/73 season drew closer, and with Keith Newton having been signed to replace the retired John Angus, Burnley were now two players down with no real signs that there would be any further signings.
As for Kindon and Bellamy. Both of them did return to Burnley. Kindon came back as a player in 1977; Bellamy became a coach at Turf Moor and was also assistant manager to Brian Miller during the traumatic days of the mid 1980s.