Another player who simply makes you smile at the memory, a 1990s re-incarnation of the tough, fearless Brian O Neil and of similar stature, average height and build but packed with indestructible, muscular dynamite. He was the midfield dynamo that made the 1991/92 team tick. He was the classic ball-winner with a low centre of gravity that kept him on his feet unless he was diving in with brick-wall, crunching tackles. There is an iconic picture of him standing, snarling and leaning over a stricken Bryan Robson, himself no slouch, during a game, when he has clearly triumphantly decked him, as if to say take that you b*****d, theres only one John Deary. Fans loved him and still do and will often say theres never been a player like him since, and if only we could find another John Deary. He was the kind of man youd want in the trenches next to you. There can be no higher tribute. Having played hundreds of games, today he is a successful businessman and one of the driving forces behind the Vintage Clarets that plays regular charity games in the Burnley area.
