Tommy Cavanagh took charge at Burnley during the 1985 – 1986 campaign and saw his side only struggle to a 14th position finish. Brian Miller took charge at the club for a second spell in 1986 and he could not steer Burnley any higher in the fourth division. The 1986 – 1987 season saw the Clarets crash out of the league cup and FA Cup in the first round during the season as they suffered defeats against Telford United and Rochdale. They even came narrowly close to suffering relegation out of the football league at the end of the 1986 – 1987 season as they finished it off in 22nd position; it was a season which was arguably the worst in the clubs history. The following campaign was more positive as they coasted in to a 10th position finish, however in the last two years of the 80’s, they could only manage 16th position finishes.
The 1989 – 1990 Burnley FC side included players like, Chris Pearce, Ian Measham, Ray Deakin, John Deary, Andy Farrell, Steve Davis, Winston White, Roger Eli, Ron Futcher, Joe Jakub and John Francis.