Championship history could be made by Burnley and James Trafford this season in their quest for promotion to the Premier League.
The Clarets are currently third in the second tier of English football following their top-flight relegation last season.
Head coach Scott Parker has been able to steer the club on course for an instant Premier League return in just his first season at the helm.
Burnley’s recent form has caught the eyes of the Championship as they last tasted defeat on November 3 away at Millwall.
They have won ten of their 18 league fixtures since then to take their overall total to 16 in 31 league outings this season.
However, what’s more impressive is that Burnley have conceded just five goals in 16 away matches throughout the campaign.
And if Parker and co. can sustain their strong defensive quality on the road, then they will surely make Championship history.
Sheffield United set a league record of conceding just 17 goals during the 2008/09 season.
This tally was later matched by Queens Park Rangers and Newcastle United in the 2010/11 and 2016/17 seasons respectively.
Burnley goalkeeper Trafford has played a huge role in their ability to keep opposition attacks quiet in front of goal.
The 22-year-old has kept a whopping 21 clean sheets in 30 matches for Burnley in the league this season.
Dorus de Vries, Paddy Kenny and John Ruddy all share the current record of 24 for Swansea City, QPR and Norwich City respectively.
Therefore, Trafford will take the crown if he keeps four clean sheets across Burnley’s final 15 Championship matches this season.
The Manchester City academy graduate has enjoyed a strong rise in football since England’s U21 Euros winning campaign in 2023.
He saved a last-gasp penalty in the final against Spain and kept a clean sheet throughout the entirety of the tournament.
Burnley minority investor and former NFL star J. J. Watt joked about the possibility of him coming out of retirement amid Trafford’s success.
“You don’t allow a goal for the rest of the season and it’s a deal,” he said in a text, with Trafford not conceding since December 21.
He since joked it was ‘starting to become a bit of a concern’ as the clean sheets keep coming.
Next season we could see Burnley playing in the Premier League and J.J. Watt turning out for the Cincinnati Bengals.
