The sad news that the famous midfielder had died from a stroke at the age of 64 was announced today.

He will be remembered by football fans of all persuasions for lighting up the game from midfield at Burnley where he made 261 appearances between 1964 and 1971 and after that at White Hart Lane where he was signed by the late Bill Nicholson for a fee of £190,000.

Coates is said to have been offended at attracting such a large fee at the time and apparently said to Nicholson when they met to discuss the move, ‘Don’t be stupid, no player is worth that.’

He would of course go on to help Spurs win the EUFA Cup in his first season with the club in 1972 and will long be remembered for scoring the winning goal against Norwich in the League Cup final in 1973.

Coates left Spurs to pursue a short lived flirtation as player coach with Leyton Orient in 1978 but returned to White Hart Lane two years later working as a match day host.

Back in August 2009, Burnley caused the first shock of the 2009/2010 Premier League season when Robbie Blake scored the only goal to beat Manchester United.  Today it was the turn of Burnley to be on the end of a shock result.  A different Burnley, under the mismanagement of Brian Laws, defended as poorly as I have ever seen a Premier League team defend.

Within the first 7 minutes Roberto Mancini’s Manchester City were 3-0 up with goals from Emmanuel Adebayor (4 mins), Craig Bellamy (5 mins) & Carlos Tevez (7 mins) and a few Burnley fans decided to head home for an early bath. Several shots later, and Patrick Viera scored with a header to put Man City 4-0 ahead after 20 minutes.  Those Burnley fans that stayed decided to keep warm by clapping and cheering their side on gallantly, and the team appeared to respond by having a couple of shots on target, even though the Burnley defence still looked more akin to a primary school playground than a Premiership football team.

Adebayor scored his second goal at the end of the first half to give Manchester City an astonishing half time lead of 5-0.

As the Burnley walked  back onto the pitch for the second half, looking like Christians entering a lion’s den, the tannoy played Chumbawamba’s hit ‘Tub thumper’ – “I get knocked down, but I get up again!”

The second half began with Burnley on the offensive though the waterlogged pitch was now making hard work of any good quality football; and when Vincent Kompany made it 6-0 after 57 minutes, Burnley’s attempt at giving their supporters anything to cheer about, fell flat.

It took 71 minutes for Burnley to carve the Man City defence apart and a humongous cheer erupted as Steven Fletcher’s shot passed Shay Given and hit the back of the net, to make the score 6-1.

Another hatful of goals on the same day as Chelsea beat Manchester United at Old Trafford to go two points clear at the top of the Premier League in what is turning out to be probably the most exciting Premier League season I can ever remember.

As the game petered out the tannoy announced the player of the match was Burnley’s striker Steven Fletcher. But this week’s sponsor was apparently not Moet but the local butcher. After a 6-1 drubbing, I suppose a pork chop is better than nothing!

Jose Mourinho

Mourinho has also said that neither Tottenham or Arsenal have been in touch with Inter Milan regarding the signing of Patrick Vierra. Both clubs have been verbal over offering the midfielder a pay as you play deal over the last few weeks. “If they want him, they have to let us know,” he said. “I have to say until this moment, no Tottenham, no Arsenal. They have not contacted us.”

The Premier League will honour Sir Bobby Robson with one minutes applause at each of it’s opening games on the weekend of August 15 and 16.

Hull City have completed the double signing of Seyi Olofinjana from Stoke City and Jozy Altidore from Villareal. Olofinjana has signed a four year deal with Hull, the 29 year old opting against a move to Monaco in a £3million deal, while 19 year old Altidore has agreed a season long loan from Spanish La Liga side Villareal.

Burnley have signed 19 year old Fernando Guerrero on a one season loan from Ecuador club Independiente Del Valle. Guerrrero was formerly at Real Madrid as an under 19 before returning back to Ecuador. A permanent contract is on offer if he impresses.

Twenty year old Chelsea winger Scott Sinclair has agreed to go on loan to Wigan for a season. He spent half of last season helping rivals Birmingham in their Championship title race.

Liverpool expect the signing of Italian midfielder Alberto Aquilani to go through with no hitches, having agreed a fee of around £20million with Roma. The player will take a medical with the Reds this week.

Manchester City boss Mark Hughes is concerned that Carlos Tevez may not be fully fit for the start of the season, after the player slipped over in the shower.