After a varied but fairly uneventful career with a number of clubs at all levels, Roger Eli suddenly became a folk hero at Burnley after his arrival in the summer of 1989.

Although he didn't manage a League goal in his first season with the Clarets, he did score three times against Scunthorpe in two FA Cup replays at Turf Moor in December 1989. His sheer enthusiasm and commitment endeared him to the fans and he went on to enjoy something approaching cult status.

Ten goals in 1990/91, a season when Eli was not a regular in the starting line-up, helped the Clarets to the Fourth Division play-offs. They also enhanced his popularity with the fans as they enjoyed hugely his leggy, all-action style that his immediate opponents found to be always awkward, and often impossible, to counter.

Roger Eli's form continued in the Fourth Division Championship season of 1991/92 with 10 more goals in the League making him second top scorer behind Mike Conroy. He also hit another seven in cup competitions including the Supporters' Club "Goal of the season", the late equaliser in the enthralling FA Cup tie against Derby at Turf Moor in January 1992, his bullet header at the end of a marvellous move.

He was injured near the end of that epic season and missed the run-in, including the memorable night at York when the title was finally secured.

The first campaign back in the new Division Two virtually passed him by, knee injuries preventing him continuing with his love affair with the Turf Moor crowd.

He also missed the whole of 1993/94 and, with the Clarets savouring a second promotion in three years, Roger Eli was released in June 1994.

He played again briefly in 1995 with Scunthorpe and Partick Thistle, but his heart was undoubtedly still at Turf Moor. The fans certainly left him in no doubt where he stood in their affections, with a rousing reception as he walked out to make the half-time draw during the Clarets' match against Bradford City at Easter 1996.