Coyle vents fury at Turf Moor referee

Published Sep. 22, 2010 9:15 a.m. ET

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Wade Elliott's 44th-minute volley proved enough to dump the Trotters out of the Carling Cup on Tuesday night on the ground Coyle knows so well. But, while Clattenburg did discuss whether Elliott's effort had crossed the line before it was pushed out by Adam Bogdan, Coyle failed to understand why the officials did not spot Chris Iwelumo's handball in the build-up. "I spoke to him at half-time because I wanted to be clear he hadn't seen it rather than just chose to ignore it," said Coyle. "I have seen the pictures. He clearly punched the ball. "There was no disputing the ball was over the line but I thought we were playing volleyball." The goal just ratcheted up the volume even further after Coyle emerged before the game, surrounded by eight stewards, to a cacophony of boos from the home fans who have never forgiven him for swapping Turf Moor for Bolton in January, even though the Clarets were higher in the Premier League at the time. Burnley's subsequent relegation hardly helped to ease tensions and the 'Judas' chants that punctuated the contest were utterly predictable, even if Coyle claimed not to hear them. "My focus was on the game. I was aware of the noise but that was all it was," said Coyle. "I had to fight tooth and nail for everything I have earned in football. Burnley benefited from that. I took over a team that was in the bottom half of the Championship and got them into the Premier League. "It is such a unique club. It would take something special to rival the passion these supporters have for their club. I tapped into that so when it comes back to bite you on the bottom you just have to get on with it. "It won't take away the special times I had with the club. I will never have a negative word to say about this football club. For two years I was a hero. Now I am a villain." Coyle confirmed the security he had been afforded was a Burnley matter as he had not requested any. And, with the result turning out to the home side's satisfaction, Coyle's replacement at Burnley, Brian Laws, believes it is time the supporters drew a line under the matter. "It is nice to get it out of the way," said Laws. "It has been hanging around for a long time. It needed it, otherwise it would be going on for a few seasons. "The supporters have got it off their chests. Now it is time to move on into a new era and concentrate on what we have here." Coyle was magnanimous enough to offer a handshake to Laws and the players he knows so well at the final whistle. Now Laws wants to ensure his side are back among the elite to set up a rather less hostile reunion next term "He congratulated us. There is no doubt we were the better side," said Laws. "I am sure he wants to move on as well. We are on different paths now but hopefully we can meet up again next year."