Andy Booth column: Burnley, Hull and Chris Gayle

May 15 2009 by Mel Booth, Huddersfield Daily Examiner

I’M really looking forward to the play-off finals.

While our own division is still to be sorted out – I’m writing this before last night’s Leeds v Millwall second leg and tonight’s MK Dons v Scunthorpe clash – the other two finals are really interesting.

Town fans already know there’s another long trip on the way to either Gillingham or Shrewsbury courtesy of the League II final, and that match at Wembley is too close to call for me because they both showed a lot of guts and character to get through the semis.

It really could go either way, and much the same could be said of the Burnley v Sheffield United Championship final.

That one-off clash to get into the Premiership is widely acknowledged to be the most valuable match in world football because of the riches on offer to the promoted team – and that’s especially so if they can manage to stay up!

I’m not surprised to see Kevin Blackwell doing so well at Bramall Lane, but as an ex-Sheffield Wednesday player I can hardly tip United!

For some reason, and don’t ask me to explain why, I’ve always had a soft spot for Burnley and it would be nice to see them back up in the top flight after a long number of years in the lower divisions.

They have already achieved a great result against Reading, especially going down there and winning the other night with two cracking goals, and I feel they will go into the final with a lot of momentum.

They’ve finished the season well, they’ve got match winners in Chris Eagles and Robbie Blake and they’ve had a great cup success already, so this knockout format should suit them.

Having said all that, the Blades played some fantastic football in the semi against Preston and if they can reproduce that in the final, it’s going to be a brilliant contest.

One thing is for sure, neither side are going to want to lose.

It’s bad enough losing in the semis without going to the final at Wembley and ending up with nothing at the end of a long season, particularly when you are so close to the Premier League.

It’s Burnley for me, and they will be welcome in the top flight.