Last Update:
August 16, 2024
Turf Moor has been Burnley’s home since 1883 making it is one of the longest continual occupations of a ground by any club in the Football League.
James Hargreaves Stand
The James Hargreaves Stand was opened in early 1996. It has two large tiers, with a row of executive boxes, housed between them. This stand replaced the famous Longside Terrace, which was a big steep covered terrace.
Jimmy McIlroy Stand
Also in 1996, the Jimmy McIlroy Stand was opened at one end of the ground. This two-tiered stand is similar in design to the James Hargreaves Stand, which gives half of Burnley’s ground a uniform look. In 2019 two new three-storey structures were built to fill in the corners on each side of the Jimmy McIlroy Stand. These feature viewing areas for disabled fans and on one of these new structures in-between the James Hargreaves and Jimmy McIlroy Stands, there is a large video screen.
Bob Lord Stand
The other two sides of Burnley’s stadium are much older and look slightly out of place next to their newish neighbours. The Bob Lord Stand at one side of the pitch was opened in 1974. It is a small all-seated single-tiered stand, with a row of supporting pillars running across its middle and has windshields to either side.
The Barnfield Construction Stand
The Barnfield Construction Stand (formerly known as the Cricket Field Stand) at one end of the ground was opened in 1969. Again, it is a simple-looking single-tiered stand that has some supporting pillars. The teams enter the playing area from a tunnel located in between the Barnfield Construction Stand and James Hargreaves Stand.
This is where the away fans sit/stand at Turf Moor and the old wooden seats were finally replaced by plastic ones in 2019.
Away fans visiting Burnley’s ground are housed in the covered Barnfield Construction Stand at one end of the ground. Visiting supporters are housed on one side (towards the Bob Lord Stand), where 2,414 seats are allocated.
This stand is shared with home supporters which, coupled with the stand having good acoustics, normally makes for a good atmosphere.
The club have at long last spent some money on improving the facilities in this stand. This includes new turnstiles as well as a refurbishment of the undercroft and toilets in this stand. Wooden seating has also been replaced with plastic ones.
What was a dark dank concourse is now quite pleasant complete with large television screens. However, there are supporting pillars dotted around the stand which can result in some seats having a ‘restricted view’.
Food on offer inside the ground includes Hot Dogs, plus a range of pies and burgers. Alcohol is served before kick off and at half time.
The best place for away fans to drink near Turf Moor is Burnley Cricket Club which is located next to the stadium. Address: Turf Moor, Belvedere Road, Burnley BB10 4BN
Three other pubs for fans near Turf Moor:
- The Park View – 3 Higgin St, Burnley BB10 4DZ
- Woodman Inn – 129 Todmorden Rd, Burnley BB11 3EX
- The Turf – 49 Yorkshire St, Burnley BB11 3BW
Smiley pie at Turf Moor @FootyScran nowt to smile about from kick off onwards unfortunately. pic.twitter.com/j1un6dDmkA
— Ronny Hotdogs (@Ronny_Hotdogs) March 1, 2022
The main entrance to Turf Moor is via the Bob Lord Stand, which runs across one side of the pitch. Home fans can also enter the stadium via all four stands while away fans can only enter via part of the Barnfield Construction Stand.
There are three accessible entrances at Turf Moor:
- B1
- B4
- E1
If driving to Burnley’s stadium, leave the M6 at Junction 29 and onto the M65. Leave the M65 at Junction 10 and follow signs for Towneley Hall. This road eventually goes past the ground
Where is the best place to park at Turf Moor?
There is a car park at Burnley Cricket Clubd located right by Turf Moor. There is also a private car park available on Doris Street, off Belverdere Road (BB11 3DL), which is around 400 yards from the stadium.
Other than that, you’ll be looking at street parking.
Post Code for SAT NAV: BB10 4BX
There are two train stations that are in walking distance of Burnley’s stadium, Turf Moor, Burnley Central and Burnley Manchester Road. Central station is around a 20 minute walk away from the ground and is mostly served by local trains. Manchester Road is a 15 minute walk away and is served by the faster express service from Manchester Victoria.
- Adults: £20-60
- Seniors: £20-35
- Students: £15-20
- Juniors: £10-15
Turf Moor has been used for sporting activities since 1843, making it one of the oldest stadiums in the United Kingdom that is still in use today. Burnley Cricket Club were the first sports team to use the pitch before Burnley FC started using it in 1883.
The first grandstand at Turf Moor was built in 1885 while terraces were installed in the same year. All four stands were erected between 1950 and 1975.
For details of disabled facilities and club contact at the ground please visit the relevant page on the Level Playing Field website.
In 1987 they thought that we were dead
Staying down forever is what the bastards said
We won the league at Ewood
Now everywhere we go
We’ll sing this song forever to always let them knowAllez allez allez allez
Up the CLARETS pic.twitter.com/0R1zwPY5Lh
— chris (@chrisburnley35) April 29, 2023
Record Attendance
54,775 v Huddersfield Town
FA Cup 3rd Round, February 23rd, 1924.
Modern All Seated Attendance Record
22,310 v Preston North End
Division One, March 4th, 2000.
Average Attendance
- 2023-2024: 21,153 (Premier League)
- 2022-2023: 19,776 (Championship)
- 2021-2022: 18,300 (Premier League)
- 2020-2021: N/A (Covid)
- 2019-2020: 15,995 (Premier League)
- 2018-2019: 20,534 (Premier League)
In 2023, the middle tier of the Jimmy McIlroy Stand was redeveloped. The club partnered with Levy UK to deliver modernised catering and hospitality options for fans in this tier.
The middle tier also boasts a premium dining space called a Super Box. This box is a pitch-facing bar with street food options, a gaming lounge and a foosball table.
Around the stadium, self-order units replaced bar service to speed up fan service and reduce queue time.
Ground Layout
Why were you looking forward to this game and visiting the ground itself?
How easy was your journey/finding the ground/car parking?
What you did before the game pub/chippy etc, and were the home fans friendly?
What you thought on seeing the ground, first impressions of away end then other sides of the stadium?
Comment on the game itself, atmosphere, stewards, pies, facilities etc..
Comment on getting away from the ground after the game
Summary of overall thoughts of the day out
Images
Burnley v Norwich City
FA Cup 4th Round
Saturday 25th January 2020, 3pm
Tim Scales (Norwich City)
Why were you looking forward to this game and visiting Turf Moor?
I had never been to Turf Moor before and with Norwich looking doomed in the league, the FA Cup was a good respite. I've always wanted to go to Wembley for an FA Cup Final so I wanted us to put on a show here.
How easy was your journey/finding the ground/car parking?
We parked at Burnley Cricket Club which cost £7 but is right next to the ground. Also, it's where the legend that is Jimmy Anderson learned his trade and as an avid cricket fan, I was excited about that! No hassles en route other than the endless roadworks on the M6 and our SatNav guided us nicely to the Club.
What you did before the game pub/chippy etc, and were the home fans friendly?
After parking there, we visited the Cricket Club for a couple of pre-match pints and a burger. It was a decent warm-up for the big game. The home fans outside the ground were friendly.
What you thought on seeing the ground, first impressions of away end then other sides of the Turf Moor Stadium?
Turf Moor is a brilliant ground – a dying breed in English football. The away end is built like a shed with a triangular roof, perfect for pumping up the atmosphere, made even better by being within spitting distance of the home fans. The view of the moors peering over the top of the Bob Lord Stand is brilliant, too.
Comment on the game itself, atmosphere, stewards, pies, facilities etc..
Norwich looked desperate to forget about their struggles in the league, while Burnley looked eager to get back to their bread and butter. Norwich could have scored twice through Josip Drmic in the opening three minutes. In fact, it could've been 1-0 inside ten seconds as the Swiss burst clean through on goal but he could only drag his shot wide before hitting the crossbar with another big chance. Burnley then had a good chance to lead themselves through Jay Rodriguez but Ralf Fahrmann did a superb job at keeping out the former West Bromwich Albion striker from point-blank range. Norwich continued to create the better chances, however, and took the lead when Mario Vrancic's beautiful free-kick was headed home by former Blackburn man Grant Hanley.
Norwich doubled their lead four minutes later and Vrancic was involved again. This time, he sprayed a gorgeous pass over the top for Lukas Rupp and Joe Hart could only parry Rupp's effort straight into the path of Drmic. Drmic made no mistake from 3 yards out and doubled City's lead.
Erik Pieters pulled one back with a sweet volley with 20 minutes remaining but the Burnley onslaught never materialised. Teemu Pukki almost made it three in added time but Joe Hart made a smart save to deny the Finn. A great win for Norwich and a place in the fifth round for the first time in 8 years – magic!
The atmosphere at Turf Moor is great and those home fans were right next to me as I was right up to the barrier separating the two sets of supporters. The banter flowed and hilarity ensued when Grant Hanley opened the scoring. Proper football.
Comment on getting away from the ground after the game:
With a crowd of just over 8000, there was little trouble getting away from the ground after the game.
Summary of overall thoughts of the day out:
Norwich in the hat for the fifth round, we love to see it. I loved Turf Moor and hope we're playing them again next season…
Burnley v Leicester City
Premier League
Sunday 19th January 2020, 2pm
Dale (Leicester City)
Burnley v Southampton
Premier League
Saturday 2nd February 2019, 3pm
Eric Spreng (Southampton)
Why were you looking forward to this game and visiting Turf Moor?
Never having been to Turf Moor nor indeed the town of Burnley previously I was looking forward to visiting a new ground and place.
How easy was your journey/finding the ground/car parking?
We left Dunfermline at 8.30am, stopped for half an hour for breakfast on the way. We arrived in Burnley at about 12.15pm. The town of Burnley itself was pretty busy but we made our way through and parked up at the cricket club for £7 just before 12.45pm.
What you did before the game pub/chippy etc, and were the home fans friendly?
Burnley Cricket Club is a fantastic venue for away fans. We could not have felt more welcome from the minute we arrived and chatted to the car park attendants. Initially, we sat down in the James Anderson Suite on the first floor (which to be honest was a little bit cold and soulless) but then we realised that there was another bar up another flight of stairs. It was fantastic. Very busy with probably more Southampton fans than Burnley fans, but well staffed up, pleasantly warm, nice views over the cricket ground (not that there was any cricket on!) and a balcony area if you wanted fresh air. We did not have any food but plenty of people did and it looked excellent. The home and away fans mixed well in a very relaxed atmosphere.
What you thought on seeing the ground, first impressions of away end then other sides of Turf Moor?
What I would call a more traditional ground with four separate stands. The away end is slightly dated but had a nice concourse with big TVs screens. Southampton had one half of it and the Burnley 'choir' the other half which made for a good atmosphere. The stand which runs down what I would say was the south side of the ground to our right also looked a bit older, with two fairly new looking stands at the far end and along the touchline to our left.
Comment on the game itself, atmosphere, stewards, pies, facilities etc..
The first half was relatively quiet apart from Burnley being denied a stonewall penalty which certainly did not ingratiate the referee to the home fans! Southampton took a better grip of things after the break and deservedly took the lead. Burnley pressed hard for an equaliser and eventually got one from a penalty with virtually the last kick of the ball. I was gutted at the time, but 1-1 was probably a fair result, The stewards were very friendly and welcoming.
Comment on getting away from the ground after the game:
There was a bit of a queue waiting to leave the cricket club so we decided to go back into the bar for an hour to let things clear. Again it was very busy. There were more Burnley fans than Saints fans by this time but again a very pleasant atmosphere. We headed off just before 6pm, stopped for a quick burger half way up the M6 and got home to Dunfermline just after 10pm.
Summary of overall thoughts of the day out:
We had a great day. I would strongly recommend any away fan to go to the cricket club before or after the game. They really have got it right and it is immediately beside the away stand (although you do have to walk right around the cricket ground to get in but it only took just over five minutes. Also, Turf Moor itself was a very welcoming ground to go to. I would definitely plan to return.
Burnley v Fulham
Premier League
Saturday 12th January 2019, 3pm
Aitor Kerejeta Uranga (Neutral)
Why were you looking forward to visiting Turf Moor?
I like old school English grounds, and after watching Turf Moor on television, it seemed interesting enough to pay a visit.
How easy was your journey?
Well, that was a complete nightmare. I was supposed to take the direct train from Leeds to Burnley, arriving at Burnley Manchester Road by 10am. But given that the railwaymen were on strike my train was cancelled. Eventually, I got a train to Manchester and then onto Burnley Central, via Preston and Blackburn! I arrived at Burnley Central at 2.20pm. With no time to check into my hotel for the night in Burnley and with the 3pm kick off fast approaching, I had no option but to take the 20 minute walk to Turf Moor with my overnight trolley bag.
After a short walk, no longer than 20 minutes, I was at the ground, collected my ticket, bought a programme, and took my seat just when the game was about to start.
What you did before the game:
As I arrived at the ground with few minutes left to kick- off, I had no time to have a look to the ground or to have some food or drink.
What you thought on seeing the inside of the Turf Moor Ground?
I loved the ground, a classic one. I had my ticket in the back rows of the Bob Lord Stand, and the view was fine considering the amount of supporting pillars the stand holds. However, I was unable to see fully the other three stands at the ground, being that the Bob Lord Stand is the smallest at the stadium and the roof restricted the view of them.
Comment on the game itself:
The game started brilliantly for Fulham with a magnificent goal by Schürrle, but they were not going to be the lucky side at the evening as two own goals at the first half gave the lead to Burnley by half time. Fulham tried in a rainy and windy day, but a header to the crossbar and a local defender clearing the ball at the goal line prevented the visitors from gaining at least a point. As I was with my trolley I didn´t move from my seat at halftime, so I didn’t taste any pie or food of any kind.
Comment of getting away after the match:
As I had booked a room in a local hotel, I was just a matter of walking under torrential rain.
Summary of the day out:
Sadly I can´t say much about the ground given I had not much time, but I found locals friendly, and certainly, I left the ground thinking I should come back in the future just to enjoy it completely.
Burnley v West Ham United
Premier League
Saturday 30th December 2018, 2.15pm
Tony Stock (West Ham United)
Burnley v Liverpool
Premier League
Wednesday 5th December 2018, 7:45pm
Russ Poole (Liverpool)
Why were you looking forward to this game and visiting Turf Moor?
I was looking forward to the game to continue our pretty astonishing 2018/19 form. Burnley had been struggling at the time but Turf Moor very often a potential slip up for any of the top six sides.
How easy was your journey/finding the ground/car parking?
The journey wasn't the easiest around rush hour down the M62 M60 etc. into Burnley. It didn’t help the fact it rained heavily all the way!
What you did before the game pub/chippy etc, and were the home fans friendly?
As an away fan, finding pubs was difficult as most signs said no away fans allowed, I was lucky enough the barmaid in the Royal Dyche pub, 2-3 minutes from the ground was feeling generous and served me a few drinks until the doormen arrived.
What you thought on seeing the ground, first impressions of away end then other sides of Turf Moor?
It wasn’t the most pleasing on the eye but perfectly good enough for a Premier League ground, we were housed in the right-hand corner sharing our stand with the Burnley fans.
Comment on the game itself, atmosphere, stewards, pies, facilities etc..
We were pretty average for 55 minutes until Burnley took the lead, that seemed to spark us into life, the seven changes Jürgen made were clear to see as we struggled to find a rhythm but the fresh legs of Mo and Bobby and the brilliance of Keita saw us come away with a 3-1 win in the end.
Comment on getting away from the ground after the game:
It was relatively simple, about 20 minutes or so of heavy traffic nothing too serious. Had much much worse times getting out of grounds.
Summary of overall thoughts of the day out:
A wet, miserable soggy day, where it rained so much my coat soaked through, was made a lot better by another three points as we possibly dare to dream of something special from the 18/19 season, would come back again 100%.
Burnley v Chelsea
Premier League
Sunday 28th October 2018, 1.30pm
Steve Allen (Chelsea)
Why were you looking forward to this game and visiting Turf Moor?
As we are unbeaten so far this season, I was looking forward to this match because I felt it was a good chance to keep our run going. As I had never been to Turf Moor before, I was also looking forward to adding another ground to my list.
How easy was your journey/finding the ground/car parking?
I opted to travel on an official train arranged by the club, we had to transfer onto buses at Preston, but the journey was extremely hassle free. Didn't need to find the ground as the buses stopped directly outside the away turnstiles.
What you did before the game pub/chippy etc, and were the home fans friendly?
As the journey to Turf Moor was so smooth, I had a couple of hours to kill. A policeman recommended going around the corner to Burnley Cricket Club for a pint and a bite to eat. I highly recommend the cricket club. Although busy, they had two or three different bar areas, all well staffed, so there was never a long wait. They also had a good range of hot food and snacks, all food and drink were reasonably priced. There were plenty of home fans about to chat with and they were all very friendly.
What you thought on seeing the ground, first impressions of away end then other sides of Turf Moor?
The away end was fine. The seats were wooden, which I'm not used to these days, and a lot wider than I'm used to as well (which for a big guy like me is a nice bonus). I was sat right at the back of the stand to the right of the goal. The view was fine and there was a big concrete step behind the seats which I was able to stand in throughout the match for an even better view. I like the old style grounds with four distinctly different stands, so for me, Turf Moor looked pretty impressive.
Comment on the game itself, atmosphere, stewards, pies, facilities etc..
The concourse was extremely cramped and using the toilet was nigh in impossible at half time. There was a marquee near the entrance that I believe sold beer and pies, the marquee eased the congestion somewhat. I had a lovely meat and potato pie and a bottle of Pepsi, cost me a fiver which I think is reasonable. The stewards were friendly, which seems to be the case at most grounds these days, they were extremely helpful too. The game was a routine 4-0 win for Chelsea. All the atmosphere came from the away end, the Burnley fans were even quiet at the start of the match when their team were playing well. I haven't seen home fans so quiet for a very long time, if ever.
Comment on getting away from the ground after the game:
Getting away was just as hassle free as getting there. I was surprised at how little traffic there was and I was back in Preston with plenty of time to spare before the train departed.
Summary of overall thoughts of the day out:
Obviously winning 4-0 helped, but I really enjoyed the day. It's a shame the Burnley fans were so quiet but I still think Turf Moor is a lovely ground and I'm definitely looking forward to returning in the future.
Burnley v Manchester United
Premier League
Sunday 2nd September 2018, 4pm
Harry (Manchester United)
Burnley v Bournemouth
Premier League
Sunday 13th May 2018, 3pm
Richard Symonds (Doing the 92)
Burnley v Watford
Premier League
Saturday 9th December 2017, 3pm
Dave (Watford fan)
Burnley v Newcastle United
Premier League
Monday 30th October 2017, 8pm
Barbara Jefferson (Newcastle United fan)
Burnley v West Bromwich Albion
Premier League
Saturday 6th May 2017, 3pm
Jacob Bishop (West Bromwich Albion fan)
Why were you looking forward to this game and visiting Turf Moor?
I was looking forward to this as it's another ground to tick off my list and Turf Moor is a proper football ground. West Brom had laid on free coach travel for travelling supporters, so there were over 40 club coaches going. With a big away support, I thought that it would also be a good atmosphere.
How easy was your journey/finding the ground/car parking?
We took one of the free coaches up to Turf Moor. On nearing Burnley we were met by the Police, who gave us an escort from the motorway to the Turf Moor ground, arrived in reasonable time.
What you did before the game pub/chippy etc, and were the home fans friendly?
We went straight into the ground, some went to find a pub but the majority went straight to the concourse to get food and drinks.
What you thought on seeing the ground, first impressions of away end then other sides of Turf Moor?
I was impressed by the Turf Moor ground. Although the concourse was small and there were some pillars blocking some of the view of the game, it had all the characteristics of a traditional, proper football ground and not one of the new modern stadiums which can lack atmosphere.
Comment on the game itself, atmosphere, stewards, pies, facilities etc..
The match finished 2-2 with Baggies scoring their first goal since March. The atmosphere with the fans was really good and there was banter between both sets of supporters.
Comment on getting away from the ground after the game:
The coaches took a bit of time getting away from Turf Moor. But once back on the motorway, the journey was easy.
Summary of overall thoughts of the day out:
A really good day, a ground to add to my list and a good atmosphere. I thoroughly enjoyed by visit to Turf Moor.
Burnley v West Bromwich Albion
Premier League
Saturday 6th May 2017, 3pm
Steven Roper (West Bromwich Albion fan)
Why were you looking forward to this game and visiting Turf Moor?
This was going to be my first visit to Turf Moor. I'd heard many things about the ground being a traditional type so it had added interest for me.
How easy was your journey/finding the ground/car parking?
I travelled by coach from the Hawthorns. The coaches were met by the Police on leaving the M65 motorway, and escorted all the way to the ground.
What you did before the game pub/chippy etc, and were the home fans friendly?
Some of the fans went in search of the pubs but most of us went straight into the ground and had our food and drink there. The Burnley fans are fiercely loyal and with the two sets sharing the David Fishwick Stand it made for a good atmosphere. There was plenty of banter between the two sets of fans from start to finish.
What you thought on seeing the ground, first impressions of away end then other sides of Turf Moor?
For the traditionalists among us Turf Moor is a 'real' ground. Four stands, open corners, wooden seats, I wish I had gone before they made it all-seater. There is a single gangway separating the two sets of fans, though this is fenced off and manned by stewards and Police. My only gripe is the the small concourse under the away fans section. Only two toilets blocks (one each for ladies and gents) means queues can be quite lengthy. The standing area around the food bars is narrow and can be difficult to get through.
Comment on the game itself, atmosphere, stewards, pies, facilities etc..
Burnley and Albion both play a similar style of football and the 2-2 draw was a fair result. The atmosphere was excellent. The stewards were okay. They didn't say anything about the fans standing, though they didn't seem to be particularly friendly either. Food was fairly cheap, and a meal deal offer is any hot food, a drink, and a snack for £5……or two lots for £9. Its a pity other clubs don't follow suit. Individual food and drink prices were also cheaper than most other grounds.
Comment on getting away from the ground after the game:
The coaches were lined up outside the ground and we were given a Police escort back to the M65 motorway.
Summary of overall thoughts of the day out:
I loved the Turf Moor ground. It is compact and full of character. The home fans create a good atmosphere, and it's not as intimidating that I was led to believe. All in all a good day out.
Burnley v AFC Bournemouth
Premier League
Saturday 10th December 2016, 3 pm
Paul Sheppard (AFC Bournemouth fan)
Why were you looking forward to this game and visiting Turf Moor?
I had been several times to Turf Moor before and it's a nice easy trip for me from my home near Manchester.
How easy was your journey/finding the ground/car parking?
Straightforward journey by car to the Queen Victoria pub and then a 15 minute walk to the Turf Moor ground.
What you did before the game pub/chippy etc, and were the home fans friendly?
We had something to eat at the Queen Victoria Pub where home and away fans mixed with no problems. We paid £5 to park at the pub and you can get back at the bar and this worked well as we were having something to eat and drink.
What you thought on seeing the ground, first impressions of away end then other sides of Turf Moor?
I have been to Turf Moor several times so knew what to expect. It is a nice traditional ground by Premier League standards, although Turf Moor does feels like a proper old fashioned ground both on arrival and in the ground itself.
Comment on the game itself, atmosphere, stewards, pies, facilities etc..
We made a poor start and were two down in less than 20 minutes. After that we dominated possession and got back to 2-1 with a goal from Afobe before half time. We conceded a third in the second half and although Daniels scored near the end our 70% possession counted for nothing in terms of points. It was a good game though and we could not complain in terms of value for money, especially as our tickets were subsidised through the Premier League cap and the away fans initiative via the club and only cost us £20 each.
Comment on getting away from the ground after the game:
Well we lost our friend at the end of the game so did not leave the ground until ten minutes after the final whistle but even then the traffic was really bad leaving the pub, even though this was some distance from the ground. I had to get a jump start as my car would not start which at least meant an easy getaway when I finally got going!
Summary of overall thoughts of the day out:
Good day out despite the defeat and my car not starting when leaving. If I had a choice I would go the Cricket club for pre match food and drink (which I had done on my previous visit) next time. Burnley has a reputation for not being the most friendly away ground but I have never encountered any problems when watching Bournemouth (I know it's very different for local derbies!) and always find Turf Moor a good day out.
Burnley v Middlesbrough
Football Championship League
Tuesday 19th April 2016, 7.45pm
Adam Featherstone (Middlesbrough fan)
Why were you looking forward to this game and visiting Turf Moor?
This was due to be one of the biggest games of the season, as top of the league Boro travelled to second-placed Burnley. A win for Boro would be a huge step to automatic promotion to the Premier League. I was looking forward to going to the ground as it is one of the few old and traditional grounds in the division. I had heard that the atmosphere for big games at Turf Moor was also fantastic and night games also seem to generate something extra in this regard.
How easy was your journey/finding the ground/car parking?
I travelled from my home in Leeds by car and enjoyed a pretty straightforward journey across the M62 and then up the M66 into Burnley. I noticed a few car parks dotted around as I drove in charging £5 to park. Being the cheapskate I am however I opted for free on-street parking a little further out around Queens Park which is north of the ground. A lot of home fans were leaving cars there so I thought it safe to assume it was a safe spot.
What you did before the game pub/chippy etc, and were the home fans friendly?
Given that I only got to Burnley half an hour before the game started there was little time to do a lot pre kick-off. However I noticed that the Cricket Club next to the ground was a popular choice for both sets of supporters. A lot of fans choosing to have a few outside in the mild spring evening.
What you thought on seeing the ground, first impressions of away end then other sides of Turf Moor?
Turf Moor was how I expected it to be with its two old smaller stands, one of which houses the away fans, and two newer looking constructions at the other end. In the away stand there are two supporting pillars that may slightly obscure your view in certain seats but fortunately I was sat bang on line with the penalty spot so had no such issue.
Comment on the game itself, atmosphere, stewards, pies, facilities etc..
The atmosphere was as good as you would expect it to be in such an important game. The noisiest home fans are situated next to the away section in the David Fishwick Stand which aided the chanting between the two sets of supporters. The game itself was a very decent standard. Two sides at the top of the division with two different playing styles made for an entertaining game. Jordan Rhodes (ex-Blackburn Rovers of course) poked the Boro ahead around the hour mark sparking pandemonium in the away end. However in stoppage time Burnley's Michael Keane bundled in an equaliser from a corner which in fairness to Burnley was what they deserved. All in all it was a fair result between two of the best in the league.
Comment on getting away from the ground after the game:
Coming out of the ground there was a heavy police presence separating the two fans. Sadly a number of the Burnley fans felt it necessary to goad the Boro fans who responded and it did threaten to kick off. The Police however managed the situation and I didn't witness too much other than verbals between the two sets of supporters. After getting back to the car I was lucky to be exiting in the opposite direction to most of the other traffic heading over the Pennines back to Yorkshire.
Summary of overall thoughts of the day out:
A good ground to visit and one I would recommend although I would be slightly wary as some of the home fans seemed keen on causing bother after the game. Result was disappointing due to the timing of the equalising goal but was still a decent point to keep us top of the league.
Burnley v Preston North End
Football Championship League
Saturday 5th December 2015, 3pm
Mike Bloor (Preston North End fan)
Why were you looking forward to this game and visiting Turf Moor?
It was the first away Lancashire derby of the season and the first time the two teams had played each other in the league for four years. Also, since Blackpool are not in the same division as North End, then this was Preston's biggest rival in the Championship League.
How easy was your journey/finding the ground/car parking?
We travelled by train and reached Burnley Central around 12:30pm.
What you did before the game pub/chippy etc, and were the home fans friendly?
After spending a bit of time wandering around Burnley town centre, we eventually found a pub that was full of North End fans, which was under the watchful eye of the local constabulary. Burnley supporters were not causing any trouble at all which did surprise me, maybe the rivalry has calmed down a bit. After the pub, we headed to Turf Moor by following a route the policemen showed us.
What you thought on seeing the ground, first impressions of away end then other sides of Turf Moor?
The away stand isn't as bad as I hear it once was. This is due to Burnley investing money into the stand last year with new turnstiles and a new concourse. However the seats in the stand were wooden which was a first for me and the roof looked as if it needs replacing. Two of the home stands didn't look too bad as they were modern, but the stand to our right looked pretty old. Also, a word of warning, if you go with a team with a good following, I would advise staying in your seat at half time, as it is almost impossible to move as the concourse is that crowded.
Comment on the game itself, atmosphere, stewards, pies, facilities etc..
Burnley penned North End back for much of the first half and should have scored at least once, with Barton fluffing a golden chance and one of their strikers hitting the bar. Preston had the odd chance but were very much still in the game at half time. North End started to get more into the game in the second half but Burnley still had good chances. After an hour Keane for Preston collected the ball and ran at the Burnley defence. We wanted him to play in Garner but he shot instead, but from where we were stood it took us a couple o f seconds to realise he had actually put the ball into the net, which sent the Preston faithful wild beyond belief! The Burnley fans just looked in complete shock. The goal has clearly shook Burnley as they failed to really test Pickford the Preston goalkeeper after they had conceded. They were further punished five minutes from time, Garner setting Johnson up for a tap in, 2-0, game over. Happy days!. Somehow, Preston with only three wins in the league before this game managed to beat Burnley who were fifth in the table at the time. The atmosphere as you would expect was great.
Comment on getting away from the ground after the game:
Getting away was easy until we arrived at the train station only to find out due to the bad weather, the trains had been severely delayed. Thankfully, there was a local bus which went directly to Preston so we were saved.
Summary of overall thoughts of the day out:
Overall, a great day out in the cold and match that I won't be forgetting any time soon.
Burnley v Preston North End
Football Championship League
Saturday 5th December 2016, 3pm
Paul Willott (Preston North End fan)
Today was the big day. Our annual works Christmas party in Croydon. Many of my colleagues were enjoying a leisurely lie-in, no doubt looking forward to a good pre-christmas drink-up in the evening with colleagues. I had other ideas; hence I was tipping my good lady out of bed at an ungodly hour for breakfast prior to the long drive from Kent up to East Lancashire for this eagerly awaited derby fixture. Not since the 2010-11 had we been able to enjoy these encounters, courtesy of relegation and a 4 year stint in the third tier of English league football, and I’m sure for many a Preston North Ender, one of the real apples in our eyes come the promotion decider against Swindon back in the May was the chance to renew rivalries with, amongst others, the Clarets from Turf Moor. As long ago as summer when the fixture list came out, I checked various calendars and notified my work colleagues that this year, after 14 consecutive years of being present, I would be giving the big works Christmas party a miss.
If you’ve read thus far, you’ll probably have gathered without me needing to elaborate any further just how much I either was or wasn’t looking forward to this fixture! However, an added excitement for me was that this was to be my partner’s first full-blooded derby game as an away fan, and I could see that she was equally excited about the atmosphere to be enjoyed. The fact that it was bucketing down with rain during most of the journey did little to dampen our spirits; in fact the farther north we journeyed, the greater the deluge seemed to be and I did become mildly concerned as to whether the game would possibly fall foul of the weather, but fortunately this proved not to be the case.
In truth, I wasn’t holding out much hope for anything more than a draw from the actual match; the Clarets were doing very well at the upper end of the table whilst we were still finding our feet at the higher level, but as I reminded my partner, matches like these are more about the atmosphere, and sometimes, these games can throw up unexpected results. So, despite Turf Moor having become something of a fortress for the home side, I was as giddy as a schoolboy by the time we were parking the car before kick-off. A note here for those travelling by car, early birds get the pick of free on-street parking towards the upper end of Ormerod Road, and onwards onto Ridge Avenue, leaving you with a ten minute walk down to the entrance for “away” supporters in the cricket field stand.
James Hargreaves Stand
By the time we’d walked as briskly as we could down towards the ground, we felt like windswept battered trawlermen; it really had been a case of grit the teeth and get the head down and plod on through the near horizontal rain, but having “timed it right” by waiting in the car till 13:20 approximately, I was confident we’d be among the first in through the turnstiles and out of the rain. Unfortunately I, along with others, hadn’t bargained for a “medical emergency” already taking place within the stand, hence we had to huddle out in the rain for a good quarter of an hour or so, before we were allowed to enter the ground.
Never has a coffee and a pie been more sought after! For connoisseurs of pies, I’d say they were okay, maybe a 6/10. Once we’d consumed our fayre and felt a little less drenched, we took ourselves up into the stand to grab seats. A large number of the 2,500 Preston fans expected had already started to take their seats, and it appeared a little hit and miss ; some stewards were attempting to make sure supporters were in allocated seats, whereas others were saying “just sit where you like”.
Bob Lord Stand
In the event, as a quite noisy bunch of youngsters were in our ‘allocated seats’ I chose to grab two seats in front of a walkway between the blocks of seating that would perhaps afford my partner a slightly better view of the action if, everyone started to stand up. This proved to be a wise move, as this proved to be one of those matches where everybody stood up for the entire 90 minutes. At one point, a rather timid steward asked us to move, but I firmly yet politely declined on the grounds that a. our own seats were occupied and b) I was concerned that my missus could actually watch the match. This despatched the steward off and we had no more issues.
The cricket field stand itself is to my mind now well past its sell-by date. There has been talk for over a decade of re-building it, but that seems to have gone quiet in recent years. Hence, for the time being, away followings of any number continue to find themselves in what is a cramped, and potentially quite off-putting environment down on the concourse. I had advised my good lady of this, and the need to “strategically plan” toilet visits before the stand fills up, but for first time visitors, be warned:- come half-time the concourse resembles Oxford Circus Underground at peak time and is just a seething mass of humanity that can hardly move. The seats in the stand, as this guide says are wooden, and perhaps to some quaint, but the overall experience in the cricket field stand is one that has always pointed to the need to modernise.
Away support for us was reduced for this fixture; in years gone by we’ve been allocated the whole stand, but on this occasion it was reduced to 2,500. Whether that’s been the case all season for visiting fans, or was done for security/police reasons, I do not know, but even on previous visits, my experience has been the same as regards the stand and its facilities. The rest of the ground boasts two modern looking stands built in the 1990’s, and the older “Bob Lord” Stand alongside the pitch. The stadium really is a “ground of two halves!” Also worthy of comment are the two floodlight pylons alongside the old “Bob Lord” Stand although they are of the more modern variety.
Pity About That Supporting Pillar (Time for a new stand?)
As for the match itself, the build-up was perhaps a little muted due to the inclement elements; the floodlights were illuminating the driving rain, and the normally appealing view from the higher levels of the cricket field stand over towards the Pennine Moors were today obscured by low cloud. However, once the teams came out, the atmosphere quickly ratcheted up to the fervour normally associated with this fixture.
I have to say it was a very powerful and passionate feeling in the away end as the referee was checking with his assistants prior to the big kick-off; we had been starved of such high octane derby matches for some years, it had been difficult to stomach watching some of our fiercest rivals enjoying derby matches with each other whilst we counted fixtures at Rochdale, Bury, and Carlisle as the best we could hope for in the lower leagues.
And so the match got underway; two of the oldest rivals in the history of the entire Football League locking horns once again in a famous old ground which boasts a history of league football that can only be bettered by our very own Deepdale. It was a very special atmosphere, and worth every mile we’d driven up from Kent that morning.
The match as a spectacle defied my prediction and lived up to the reputation of a high energy clash with high tempo from both sides. Committed tackles went in from both sides that were sometimes close to the mark, but never over the top , apart from a moment from Burnley’s Joey Barton (who else) and it developed into an enthralling and highly entertaining contest.
Over the first 45 minutes, I’d have to admit that the home side had the better chances, and another day would have been a goal or two to the good: but this was not an ordinary day; it was derby day in driving rain and the ball sometimes sliding completely off a wet boo, coupled with maybe a few nerves when one of the Clarets strikers looked certain to score meant that the score-line stayed stubbornly 0-0 at half-time.
In the second half, the chances continued to come thick and fast except that there was a more even spread between the two sides and then midway through the second half, Will Keane , on loan from Manchester United scored to put Preston into the lead. Oh the irony of it all…..pre-match much of the terrace chat had been on the subject that he couldn’t hit a cow’s backside with a banjo from three yards and why was the manager still persevering with him, and he goes and sticks in the all-important first goal in a derby match. The goal may have had an element of luck about it……..but who was complaining?
The eruption in the visitors stand was understandably perhaps immense. If the game had been passionate beforehand, now it was doubly so. All credit to Burnley as they never gave up and pressed and pressed hard for an equaliser, but as they committed more and more men in attack, it gave us more chances to double our lead.
We’d already missed a few such chances when, with five minutes left, the hard working striker Joey Garner pushed forward into a very good position but selflessly passed the ball back towards an unmarked Daniel Johnson who smashed home our second to spark an even bigger celebration amongst the now deliriously happy travelling support. Now we really felt that the bragging rights were coming back to West Lancashire, and it showed on the pitch as now the boys in Claret and Blue were clearly deflated.
The celebrations at the final whistle will stay with me forever, as will the sight of our players and the talismanic manager Simon Grayson came over to celebrate with us, showing just how much it meant to them to deliver derby day success away from home for the club and its supporters.
Who cares about driving rain and getting soaked walking back to the car after an afternoon like that? Not us!
A very small minority of Burnley fans did attempt to cause trouble after the match, but a combination of the harsh weather and quick intervention from the mounted Police meant that it came to nothing, thankfully.
The long drive home passed in a whisker, with the added personal glee that the skipper of my fantasy football dream team (Mahrez of Leicester City) had bagged a hat-trick, and once home after a few hours sleep I was up and off to London Gatwick to spend a week in Switzerland with the broadest grin possible.
Only derby days can deliver such magic.
Plus Points for Turf Moor
1. Famous old ground rich in history
2. A great atmosphere can be created in the away (cricket field) stand
3. Floodlight pylons (well….2 ; its better than none!)
4. Plenty of free on-street parking nearby
Minus Points for Turf Moor
1. Away stand is badly in need of modernising
2. Concourse becomes uncomfortably/unpleasantly congested if busy
Burnley v Bolton Wanderers
Saturday, August 3rd 2013, 12.15pm
Championship League
By Matthew Bowling (Bolton Wanderers fan)
1. Why you were looking forward to going to the ground (or not as the case may be):
I was looking forward to going to Turf Moor, because firstly for me it was a new ground to visit. Plus it was the opening game of the new Championship Season. Even the early kick off time didn't deter.
2. How easy was your journey/finding the ground/car parking?
The journey was straightforward and fairly easy, only really encountering traffic as we neared the ground itself. We decided to park at Burnley Cricket Club where they allow parking on matchdays. This turned out to be a good choice as they have their own club house, which I would recommend.
3. What you did before the game pub/chippy…. home fans friendly?
We went into the bar at the cricket club and watched some of the Ashes cricket on the TV. Although there were plenty of home fans using the club also, it didn't seem the sort of place where trouble might flare up. So much so that the Club balcony was taken up with a number of Bolton fans singing away!
4. What you thought on seeing the ground, first impressions of away end then other sides of the ground?
The ground from the outside doesn't look particularly attractive. I was surprised that the seats in the away stand were olden wooden ones, which made me think that the club either didn't care or wouldn't spend the money to replace them with new ones. I also wasn't very impressed with the facilities especially the toilets and generally the David Fishwick Stand in my eyes wasn't great.
5. Comment on the game itself, atmosphere, stewards, pies, facilities etc..
The game was good overall for the neutral but as usual it was bit nervous for us watching Bolton fans. Burnley took the lead when Sam Vokes out jumped Knight and the ball landed at Danny Ings' feet and he shot which a deflection from Wheater trickled into the back of the net. Bolton's equaliser came when Eagles and Pratley did some good link up play and Pratley finished into the corner sending the away fans into raptures and Burnley into disarray, other chances came throughout the game for both sides but the game finished 1-1.
6. Comment on getting away from the ground after the game:
We stayed till the end then we went for a drink in the cricket club after the game so when we actually left about 90% of the cars had left the pitch of Burnley Cricket Club. There was no worries finding our way back to the motorway and it was quite an easy journey home.
7. Summary of overall thoughts of the day out:
Overall I enjoyed the visit; easy parking, friendly home supporters, good game. Although the away stand was not great I would still be tempted to return.
Burnley v Bolton Wanderers
Saturday, August 3rd 2013, 12.15pm
Championship League
Robert Melia (Bolton Wanderers fan)
1. Why you were looking forward to going to the ground (or not as the case may be):
It was the first game of the season, a derby game so obviously it's a big game, we'd sold a couple of thousand tickets so I knew it was going to be a good atmosphere, they'd just sold Austin so I was fairly confident of getting a win!
2. How easy was your journey/finding the ground/car parking?
Travelled by train, got the train from Adlington into Preston, found a Wetherspoons nearby, had a bite to eat, then got the train to Burnley at about 11:00am. Was a 15 or so minute walk from the station to the ground and was easy to find, just followed the other football fans.
3. What you did before the game pub/chippy…. home fans friendly?
We went from the station straight to the ground, with it being a derby match there was a few songs being sung between the fans, Burnley fans seemed okay on the way as we passed quite a few to get to the turnstiles.
4. What you thought on seeing the ground, first impressions of away end then other sides of the ground?
Not a great stadium, plus the concourse and toilets were a bit grim and the tv's were ancient! However the away end was all ours, the seats were wooden but we didn't mind as we stood for all of the game. The stadium wasn't as full as I thought it might be, there were a lot of empty seats.
5. Comment on the game itself, atmosphere, stewards, pies, facilities etc..
The game was a fairly even game, scrappy for the first 15 and they took the lead, which silenced us fans, Pratley equalised soon after with a good finish and we were back singing. A couple of smokebombs went of during the game and at one point one steward picked one up and didn't know what to do with it and was just stood there with the smokebomb in his hand, which amused us fans! Overall it was a fair result.
6. Comment on getting away from the ground after the game:
Easy to get away, we was going to get the early train back but decided against, we found a pub, watched a bit of the QPR vs Sheffield Wednesday game, had another drink and caught the train back to Preston a little bit later!
7. Summary of overall thoughts of the day out:
Overall a decent day out, not the best stadium, not the best result as I was confident going into it but overall a good day!
Burnley v Huddersfield Town
Tuesday, February 26th 2013, 7.45pm
Championship League
By Jon Pidgeon (Huddersfield Town fan)
1. Why you were looking forward to going to the ground (or not as the case may be):
Having conceded 19 goals and scored two in our previous four away games, it is hard to look forward to another away match. But I have memories of a thrilling 3-2 victory at Turf Moor back in 1970 which was one of the first away games I attended. And it was either this match or watching Barcelona v Real Madrid on the telly. And it is one that is closer to home than a home match (I live in Sale).
2. How easy was your journey/finding the ground/car parking?
I was travelling with my son after meeting him from his work near the Reebok. M61 and M65 were easy. We lost our way in some roadworks in Burnley, but had a vague idea where we needed to be and found the ground OK. We parked at Burnley Cricket Club (£5), which was fine, straight in with no queuing.
3. What you did before the game pub/chippy…. home fans friendly?
We went in the Cricket Club. A mixture of home and away fans and all very friendly. A good menu and good value. Giant Yorkshire pudding (not sure if that was special for the visitors), sausages, chips and mushy peas for £3.50 and a pint of Thwaites bitter for £2.50. I like the idea that local sports clubs can generate income in this way. We were made to feel very welcome. The Cricket Club is also at the right end of Turf Moor for visiting fans – probably not more than 10 minutes from finishing our pint to being in the ground.
4. What you thought on seeing the ground, first impressions of away end then other sides of the ground?
Turf Moor is a mixture of old and new. The first impression is of a typical northern ground amongst terraced housing. Brick walls and turnstiles that probably haven't changed much since it was built. The away end is old concrete and iron with wooden seats on top of concrete terracing. It isn't particularly steep – so try and get behind somebody your own size or smaller. There is a good view, especially if you can make sure you are between the two pillars. And the wooden seats are warm, comfortable and generous in size compared to some modern stadiums. In recent years the only other wooden seats I have come across were at Goodison Park in the top balcony. I might start to develop a nostalgic fondness for them. I couldn't work out whether the pitch has at some stage been turned through 90 degrees, as the stand at the far end seemed to extend well beyond the left hand touchline. The stand to our right was clearly the oldest – but also had a steep rake – so viewing from there would be good. To our left was a modern double decker. Apologies to Burnley fans, but I couldn't work out where the noise was going to come from. A slight criticism is that I couldn't find any programmes on sale in the ground. I admit I didn't look too hard. The big screen at the far end displays the teamsheets and minutes played – though once into injury time you'll need to borrow Fergie's watch because it stops at 45:00 and 90:00.
5. Comment on the game itself, atmosphere, stewards, pies, facilities etc..
Stewards were unobtrusive, except outside the ground where one rushed forward to pick up my travel card that dropped out of my pocket as I was getting my money out. I didn't buy anything or use the facilities – the Cricket Club had fulfilled all my needs. With hindsight I should have asked for a black coffee (strange how many grounds can't provide one). There wasn't much noise heard from the Burnley fans. There wasn't much quiet time from the people around me so it is probably something to do with the science of how noise travels. The game itself was a pretty tight affair. There were very few good chances in the first half – I remember Smithies having to push one shot round the post but that's about all. There was more attacking play in the second half – and the all important goal from Vaughan pouncing on a parried shot. Theo Robinson might have made the game safe for us on 2 occasions, but equally on another day Charlie Austin might have added to his prolific season. Once Sam Vokes came on for Burnley they started winning more in the air. But in reality Smithies had only 1 save to make in the second half – a final double save in the 94th minute, the second an old-fashioned dive at the striker's feet. But at this stage of the season, as they say, the result is all that matters. And a first clean sheet in an away league game since November, coupled with Vaughan's goal gave us a hard-earned victory.
6. Comment on getting away from the ground after the game:
We were quickly out of the Cricket Club and decided to avoid the congestion and roadworks back to the M65 and instead used the A road down to Rawtenstall, which I think was shorter and quicker back home to Sale.
7. Summary of overall thoughts of the day out:
Of course it would be totally different if we hadn't won – but it was hugely enjoyable. We were well looked after. The people and the ground have a character that removes all the plasticness (if that is a word) of other places.
Burnley v Bristol City
Championship League
Saturday, April 28th 2012, 12.30pm
By Will Fisher (Bristol City fan)
1. Why you were looking forward to going to the ground (or not as the case may be):
I had mixed feelings about my visit to Turf Moor, as I had heard from friends that the surrounding environment and the ground itself are considered to be pretty rough. I was nonetheless keen to enjoy an "old school" away experience and a good game. I knew that Turf Moor was considered to be an old fashioned ground and I far prefer to watch a game in a stadium that has character and history, than one of the new, soulless stadiums.
2. How easy was your journey/finding the ground/car parking?
Although I am from Bristol originally, I live in Leeds with another mate from back home living in Halifax – It was just a matter of meeting him on the way and then a short drive across into Lancashire.
Approaching Burnley from the East, you do get to drive through some snaking roads, surrounded by the ruggedly beautiful slopes of the Pennines. There's a sign on the approach to Burnley directing you to Burnley FC, off to the right. My mate ignored this and we were there in good time, parking in a side street and then a short stroll over some park land to the ground.
3. What you did before the game pub/chippy…. home fans friendly?
I was mildly horrified that we didn't have time to get some lunch at the Parkview Chippy, which based on the hordes surrounding it, seemed immensely popular and smelt great.
Fans seemed very relaxed and didn't bother us, although in fairness we exercised discretion in terms of colours, and it was also the last game of the season with neither side particularly bothered about the result.
4. What you thought on seeing the ground, first impressions of away end then other sides of the ground?
We were running a little late so went straight to the ground. Turf Moor rises above the back to back terraces which surround it. The ground itself is wonderfully run-down in parts. Grey brickwork and dark girders creating a superbly grim venue.
Once through the turnstile into the David Fishwick stand, you are confronted not so much by a concourse, as a dark, dank tunnel. The whole thing is a little post-apocalyptic, but in a good way – Away from naming rights, manufactured stadia, prawn sandwiches and glory hunters, this is what football used to be like, and should never have deviated from.
Turf Moor Away End Undercroft
The Away End itself is on the second tier and has beautifully crafted, folding wooden seats which are quite comfy. It's not the warmest part of the world and the wind can swirl into the stand, so unless it's a summer visit, it's worth wearing a coat. The view is good and you get a decent view of the jumbo-screen in the corner.
The only thing that let Burnley down was a real lack of atmosphere. We didn't have a particularly large following that day, and I don't know how much noise we generated from the perspective of those in the home stands, but Turf Moor struck me as being a bit of a library. Our lot tried to get a bit of banter going but with no joy.
5. Comment on the game itself, atmosphere, stewards, pies, facilities etc..
Standard fare in the food outlets – Lager/Bitter and "Cider" all available for about 3 quid a go. Meat and potato (tasteless), and Balti (unpleasant) pies for those who haven't had the pleasure are available, as are some jumbo hots dogs, crisps, sweets, Bovril tea and coffee, all at the same price you'd find anywhere.
The game itself was a bit of an exhibition – emotional for us because we thought it was going to be Louis Carey's last for the club – He has been there since I started watching City in the mid-nineties and is a Bristol lad – He ended up playing brilliantly and getting a further year on his contract. Burnley had more possession but Charlie Austin was quiet and Ross Wallace, who was industrious, failed to create anything meaningful in the final third.
Turf Moor View From The Away End
City had the best of the first half in terms of chances and should have scored early on, but Brett Pitman chose to slam his header straight down Brian Jensen's throat. No real drama until the second half when David James, who was also making his last appearance in a City shirt, got injured. No keeper on the City bench which encouraged Burnley to really have a go – Danny Ings tonking in a 30 yard screamer and the Clarets fans finally making themselves heard.
However Ryan Taylor came on for City – easy to pick out because of his hi-viz ginger hair, and scored a quality equaliser, curling a shot past Jensen – honours even at the final whistle.
Stewards were friendly and toilets fairly ample.
6. Comment on getting away from the ground after the game:
Driving westward out of Burnley was a little time consuming and parking a little way from the ground gave us a bit of a head start. No more than 10 minutes of traffic before we were zipping back over the Pennines.
7. Summary of overall thoughts of the day out:
I enjoyed Burnley a lot and look forward to going there next season. I didn't find it particularly intimidating and it was nice to see several generations of Burnley fans all going to the game together – I just wish the atmosphere had been a bit better as it was very subdued throughout the game on the part of the Clarets fans. For the "old school" experience, it's a pretty good day.
Burnley v Middlesbrough
Championship League
Saturday, September 10th 2011, 3pm
By Geoff Hooton (Middlesbrough fan)
I was really looking forward to the game as I'd never visited Turf Moor before and Boro were looking to make it seven away wins in a row the last away defeat being at Burnley, back in April.
Traveling was easy as being based North of the border, we took the train from Glasgow, changing in Preston (50 minute wait) and were in Burnley by 12.30.
We followed the directions provided in the Guide, from Manchester Road Railway Station. They turned out to be excellent and by 1pm we were having a pint in Burnley Cricket Club right next to Turf Moor. I think that is where the Police prefer the away fans to drink. Mainly Boro fans there but also some Burnley fans (colours are allowed) but a nice relaxed atmosphere. As it was a warm dry day many fans sat outside. A good selection of beers at about £2.80 a pint. Didn't explore the top level of the pavilion but saw a lot of folk eating the food – burgers, chips etc and didn't hear any complaints.
Other fans have described the ground pretty well and the view we had (block 10) was good. The concourse was a bit dim but OK although only small old style TVs showing Sky – has the flat screen not reached Burnley yet? Didn't have a drink but the pies were fine at £2.50 – usual prices I think.
It wasn't a classic game but Boro ran out as comfortable 2-0 winners thanks to an early goal in each half. Boro had about 2,000 fans there and they made such a noise that the atmosphere was great, so much so that I couldn't hear anything from the Burnley fans.
There was a large Police presence around the ground and cricket club but it was very laid back. The stewards at the ground were excellent (lots of smiling faces) and one even wished me a safe journey home. Boro fans were allowed to stand throughout the game (not my personal preference) but it's not a steep stand and I felt perfectly safe. The stewards even helped some elderly fans to find seats where they could sit with a unobstructed view.
After the game leaving the ground was easy and on the route back to the station there is a huge Tesco's where you can stock up with whatever for the journey. Didn't see many Burnley fans wearing colours and also didn't feel threatened in any way. Some Police at the railway station but no problems between the relatively small numbers of Burnley and Boro fans.
Back home in Glasgow by 10pm and a thoroughly great day out. Even if we had lost I would have nothing to complain about (apart from the Boro team) and I would certainly go back to Turf Moor.
Burnley v Leicester City
Championship League
Saturday, February 5th 2011, 3pm
By Richard Bland (Leicester City fan)
1. Why you were looking forward to going to the ground (or not as the case may be):
I have been wanting to visit Turf Moor for some time. Previous attempts were thwarted by a game being moved to a Friday night for SKY and a postponement due to high winds. I had heard reports it was a ground you would go to once and not go back, especially as I know someone who had a very unpleasant experience after one match there. Therefore, this was a chance to tick it off the list!
2. How easy was your journey/finding the ground/car parking?
High winds in Norfolk and then heavy rain across the Pennines led to a hazardous journey but arrived in Burnley around 12.30. Instead of heading to the cricket club car park, we parked in a pay and display next to Tesco's for £3.50. It was a 5 minute walk from here to the ground.
3. What you did before the game pub/chippy…. home fans friendly?
As we had heard many negative things about the pubs around the ground we headed for Burnley Cricket Club which is directly behind the away end. This was a great place to grab a drink (I was driving so cannot comment on the selection of ales!) and some food. I ordered a plate of chips but regretted my choice as the lads on the table next to me had a large Yorkshire pudding stuffed full of chips, beans and sausages…..all the for bargain price of £3.50! The food in here was good value and the atmosphere was friendly. A good place to head for away supporters, especially as most away fans seemed to park here too.
4. What you thought on seeing the ground, first impressions of away end then other sides of the ground?
The ground appears nothing special from the outside. The rear of the away end (Jimmy Fishwick) looks uninviting and the two new stands tower above the Bob Lord stand. The away end was in fact better than I expected, although the wooden seats were cold but not uncomfortable. I also managed to sit directly below one of the many holes in the roof and got dripped on sporadically. The view of the action was good from my seat (about 10 rows from the front) but there are some supporting pillars that may impede the view of those further towards the rear of the stand.
The concourse was more than large enough for the 1,000 odd City fans who had made the journey and the food and drink was of the normal standard with alcohol being available from the bar at the far end of the stand. One annoying part was the volume of the PA system that was pumping out goal commentary from Burnley's recent win over Burton. After 20 minutes it became really annoying as I was having to shout to speak to the person next to me.
Turf Moor is a 50/50 split between old and New. The Bob Lord stand is an old, single tiered affair which runs the length of the pitch and was pretty much full. The other two home stands are new, two-tiered structures. Both stands top tiers seemed full, whilst the bottom tiers were half full. Obviously Burnley fans enjoy a good view of the action.
5. Comment on the game itself, atmosphere, stewards, pies, toilets etc..
The game ended in a 2-1 defeat (the first away since Cardiff in October) however a much improved second half performance had given us the impression we would leave with all 3 points. We should have known better as Norwich have apparently only ever won twice at Turf Moor! The atmosphere was flat amongst the Norwich fans which was a shame considering the good acoustics that the Jimmy Fishwick stand can create. With a crowd of 14,500 the Burnley fans got behind their team and made a fair bit of noise. I would love to visit when one of their neighbours are in town as I can imagine the sound would be deafening.
As you would expect of a stand with wooden seats, the facilities were basic but didn't become cramped. The stewards seemed helpful and let the majority of the Norwich fans stand throughout the game.
6. Comment on getting away from the ground after the game:
Getting away from the ground was easy. We were back to the car in 5 minutes and out of Burnley in 10. Probably one of the quickest escapes in the league (unlike Cardiff or Reading!). I doubt those that parked in the Cricket club would have had such a quick escape as part of the road was closed off after the game to let the fans leave. We headed back via Halifax and I was home by 9.15pm. I would recommend parking next to Tesco's as the escape was very quick.
7. Summary of overall thoughts of the day out:
Even though we lost, I really enjoyed my trip to Turf Moor and would actually like to go back. However, I can imagine that it could be one of the most intimidating away games in the football league were the stakes a little higher. The area the ground is located in isn't great and some Burnley fans are pretty "passionate" about their club so I would advise caution around the ground. I'm not so sure I would feel that safe had we just had beaten them in the playoffs on a Tuesday night. Overall though, my expectations were more than exceeded.
Burnley v Leicester City
Championship League
Saturday, August 21st 2010, 3pm
By Andrew Daffern (Leicester City fan)
1. Why you were looking forward to going to the ground (or not as the case may be):
Having never been to Burnley or that part of Lancashire, it seemed a good idea to go. Plus Turf Moor is an old ground and it would be another visit ticked off as visited. As it was a long journey me & my dad booked an overnight stay in a Travelodge at Burnley for the Saturday night.
On the Leicester side off things the manager, Sousa needed to prove himself, with one loss & one draw so far from two poor performances. We were hoping for a big improvement.
2. How easy was your journey/finding the ground/car parking?
We left home town Nuneaton at 6am for our train up to Lancashire. We arrived into Crewe at 7:45am where waited not long for our connection to Preston. While on board we sat next to a couple of Milton Keynes fans, who were off to watch their team play at Carlisle.
On arrival at Preston we had a half an hour gap until our connection to Burnley. Whilst waiting at the station we saw a number of Blackpool fans on their way for their long trip to London to play Arsenal. I wonder how the locals of Preston felt about that?
We were then on the the train from Preston to Burnley for an hour! Since it was a local service it stopped every at station such as Blackburn, Accrington…
Eventually we arrived into Burnley at about 10:30am and set off to find our hotel for the night, then it was onto hit the the town for lunch.
I was impressed whilst in the town centre, with the number of people walking around in Burnley shirts. There wasn't a blue shirt in sight until we found a Wetherspoon pub. It was nice inside but it was packed out, although at least there were a bunch load of Leicester fans inside singing. As it was so busy we decided not to stop for a drink we reckoned that it would take forever to get served. We looked for some other pubs that did food but they were all packed out. So after a while we agreed to get something at the ground and have a larger meal in the evening.
The ground is not really well signposted around the town centre, however we came equipped with a map, which made it easy to find the ground. It's only a ten minute walk away from the centre.
3. What you did before the game pub/chippy…. home fans friendly?
Once arriving at the ground we had a look around the club shop. Being a programme collector, I was hoping they had some sort of programme section, but sadly they didn't. The club shop seemed very small & reminded me of the Peterborough club shop that I visited back in April. Surprisingly, there wasn't a burger van in sight outside ground, so we would have to wait until later when we went inside the stadium.
After having a walk around the ground we found the Cricket Club and its Pavilion, so we grabbed a drink in there. Plenty of Leicester fans were in there too as well as Burnley fans, who seemed to be keeping themselves to themselves.
4. What you thought on seeing the ground, first impressions of away end then other sides of the ground?
The first stand you see when arriving at the ground is the 'Dave Fishwick Stand' which is where we would be sitting. From the outside it looked very old and a bit grubby. Once we got to the turnstiles we noticed fans were getting searched by the stewards, but for some reason they didn't search us! Once through the small, old turnstile, you proceed through an open outer area before going into beneath the Main Stand, which feels like your going into a tunnel, as everything is dark but spacey.
We tried to get some food, but the queues were very long so we didn't bother. We then went up some stairs into the stand and back into the daylight! Two of the stands looked new but the other side to the right of us looked very old and dated. This old stand, the Bob Lord Stand, also had wooden seats, like the visitors section that we were in. This seemed poor in this day and age.
However the good thing about old grounds you can get good atmosphere out of them so Leicester fans were making the most of it straight away. We were on the front row what was very comfortable, spacey and cosy. I was very impressed ,the view was great. The other two stands were like Villa Park type stands new, clean full of claret blue.
5. Comment on the game itself, atmosphere, stewards, pies, toilets etc..
We started the game well and had a few shots a goal, but this quickly petered out and it was all Burnley. Looking back I think we only had two shots at goal for the whole match. Burnley looked a decent team and well organised. Burnley took a well deserved lead from a header from Iwelumo.
Atmosphere of the match was excellent, with a lot of noise from the home fans. I estimate around 900 Leicester fans had made the trip.
The second half was just as bad as the first half the only difference was Burnley scored two in this half. This was too much for one Leicester fan, who mounted a one man pitch invasion before being pounced upon by the stewards. After this tempers were becoming heated with some Leicester fans exchanging some unpleasantries with some Burnley fans that were situated in the stand on our right
We decided to leave three minutes before the end and as we exited we heard a crescendo of boos at the final whistle from the Leicester fans inside. There were also a few chants of 'We want Souza out!
6. Comment on getting away from the ground after the game:
After getting outside the ground, we were met with a heavy Police presence, mostly around the Leicester fans coaches which were parked along the road. The atmosphere had a nasty feel and we decided to keep our colours covered.
7. Summary of overall thoughts of the day out:
A very poor performance and result, to say the least. Turf Moor was a very good ground with a great atmosphere. An added bonus was the great leg room in the front row. Well had a good visit and good night out in Burnley. Would definitely go back there.