Wincing Vince recalls horror season

BURNLEY'S TOILS NOT A PATCH ON 17 YEARS AGO

- David Anderson

VINCENT KOMPANY is using the worst season of his life 17 years ago to help Burnley in their survival fight.

The Clarets have taken just one point from their first five games ahead of tomorrow's trip to Newcastle, but the manager is staying calm because of the ordeal of his first campaign at Hamburg.

Kompany's mum Jocelyne died and his older sister Christel was diagnosed with cancer, from which she later recovered.

The former Manchester City and Belgium defender also suffered a ruptured Achilles tendon after joining the German club and the team almost dropped out of the Bundesliga.

Kompany learnt a lot about himself during those awful days in the 2006-07 season and says Burnley are benefiting now.