Jim White

That's what you call a derby

Fri Oct 16 09:54AM

For most clubs in the Premier League, a visit to Blackburn would represent the trip least likely to excite the masses. Most fans scour the fixture list when it is printed to check out the date of visits to Old Trafford, Anfield, the Emirates and possibly this season, that home of the new Harlem Globetrotters, the Blue Camp, the City of Manchester stadium.

Apart from the fact Rovers tend to be generous in their allocation of away tickets, there is not much that appeals about a seasonal journey to Ewood. Indeed, for many regulars, if it happens to be the one that coincides with family business, it is likely to be the one that yields.

Unless, that is, you are a Burnley supporter. According to Clarke Carlisle (pictured), the Clarets centre-back who I met this week, the game at Blackburn has been the talk of the town since promotion from the Championship was achieved. Wherever he goes in the area, it is all anyone wants to detain him about. Never mind beating Manchester United, Everton and Birmingham City, only victory over them down the road will prove to the Burnley faithful that they have truly arrived at the top table.

"'You've got to do 'em Clarke,' that's all I've been hearing for weeks," he says.

Given the venerable condition of the two clubs, the fact that both were there together at the founding of the Football League, their rivalry has been an oddly distant one over the past few years: meetings have been rarer than a first-team start for Emile Heskey at Villa Park. Blackburn's elevation following Jack Walker's financial intervention coincided with Burnley's lowest ebb, right to the point where they faced eviction from the football league altogether back in 1987.

Recently the enmity has been played out in extravagant stunts. Planes have been hired to fly over each other's stadiums during crucial games bearing derogatory messages, wreaths have been delivered following unhappy defeats, sales of shirts of critical opponents have suddenly increased in each other's territory. And now at last the two are to meet in top league opposition for the first time since Burnley won 2-0 at Ewood in January 1966. That even so, that this will be the 92nd East Lancashire derby demonstrates quite how far back the competition between the two towns goes.

For many observing at a distance, the intensity will seem a little odd. For those watching in Dubai or Djibouti, who have learned to view the Premier League as being about nothing much more than the soap opera of Benitez against Ferguson, of Fabregas taking on Ballack, the noise of the crowd on Sunday and the manner with which the players set about their task will seem oddly out of kilter. Why, they will wonder, are they trying so hard when they're not playing United?

But for those who properly understand the English game, this is what the competition is really about: establishing supremacy over the neighbours. And for Burnley followers especially there is added weight to the encounter. Throughout recent history, as Blackburn have won titles and cups, they have been patronised as the small-timers left behind by the football revolution. They have appeared cast adrift and abandoned by the march of progress. Now, thanks to the brilliant stewardship of Owen Coyle, the best young manager in the game, they have been presented with an opportunity to repay the slights. Just a shame that so far they have failed to accrue a single point on the road.

According to Carlisle, there is a reason for this. Their four games on the road have been at Anfield, Stamford Bridge, White Hart Lane and the Britannia Stadium.
"These are very tough places to go," he says. "It will be interesting to see what other people's tallies are when they've been there. I don't think our form warrants any kind of panic."

Besides, he adds, Ewood would be a very good place for Burnley to break their season's duck. Thirteen miles may not be far to travel, but for the Claret fans, victory there would represent the end of a substantial journey.

Comments1 - 30 of 44
First
Previous
1
2
Next
Last

Where is this leading to???? you lost me here mate
From guyzoohh on Fri Oct 16 10:10AM
Report abuse
This must be a c-r-a-p game when the only media hype about it is the split allegiances of some politicians.
From david.yarwood on Fri Oct 16 10:50AM
Report abuse
thats because you are a tool, and dont understand the game at all
From mattyg070590 on Fri Oct 16 11:35AM
Report abuse
As a lifelong ROVER i've got to say i've missed the local rivalry that was rife in my childhood and youth. Long may BOTH teams continue in the Premier League and the rivalry be re-kindled. There has never been a "friendly" between the two clubs, even when meeting in pre-season matches. To the supporters it is as important as a Liverpool - Man U match is to their fans.
Come on you BLUES
From brianmorris245 on Fri Oct 16 12:22PM
Report abuse
Nice little article this. The Skyboy plastic Man Utd fans won't understand, but true, passionate derby games like this are what is good about English football.
From brebner-hughes on Fri Oct 16 01:50PM
Report abuse
Come and meet me on mycams.asia -Lisa
From johnnysalaza on Fri Oct 16 02:25PM
Report abuse
Come and meet me on mycams.asia -Lisa
From johnnysalaza on Fri Oct 16 02:26PM
Report abuse
Good article James, the passion for football is still alive in Lancashire and it's great to see Burnley back in the top flight for a battle with their nearest and dearest neighbours, would love to be there but can't make it. Good luck to both teams, a neutral Evertonian.
From aitch_5252 on Fri Oct 16 03:20PM
Report abuse
Would you like to make friends with people from other country or place?
Log on--------- T ALL Cha t ---C o m ----
Then you can get help and suggestions from all over the world.
While you may find your true love or friendship there.
From janetkor10 on Fri Oct 16 03:42PM
Report abuse
Good shout mattyg070590 I'm a Leeds fan since the Revie era and know and appreciate the rivallry of Blackburn/Burnley it was told to me by both sides when i lived in morecambe as was the Blackpool/Preston rivalry these ar5ewipe mancs known 0%
From srichardson1963 on Fri Oct 16 04:07PM
Report abuse
Hey Jim, started out being a good comment but u kinda side tracked so much u lost me what the whole point i was reading 4.
From postmanpatcan on Fri Oct 16 04:32PM
Report abuse
villa blues is the one jim!
From seandoherty1969 on Fri Oct 16 04:54PM
Report abuse
Burnley are dead meat. Do you Burnley dead heads remember what happened the last time you played the Rover-the result 2-0 to Rovers at Turf Moor and 5-o to the Rovers at Ewood. I look forward to the slaughter of the dead heads from Turf Moor.
From seanconnor0088 on Fri Oct 16 06:00PM
Report abuse
The main thing is- tohave friendly rivalry and not aggression .A good football match ,plenty of banter ,lots of civilised argument - but the emphasis is upon civilised !
From hejones1937 on Fri Oct 16 06:10PM
Report abuse
The main thing is- tohave friendly rivalry and not aggression .A good football match ,plenty of banter ,lots of civilised argument - but the emphasis is upon civilised !
From hejones1937 on Fri Oct 16 06:10PM
Report abuse
Blackburn v Burnley, make some more pies for this big sell out,come and see the famouse Clarke (pictured)Blackburn let anyone have a ticket,so don't go to that funeral come to the game, roll up, roll up,
From p.hamilton33 on Fri Oct 16 06:16PM
Report abuse
C'MON YOU CLARETS, AM GONNA GO FOR A 3-1 WIN TO THE CLARETS IN A ONE SIDED GAME. BFC TO STAY UP WITH ROVERS DOOMED!!!!
From andyj2508 on Fri Oct 16 06:20PM
Report abuse
great to read an arcticle where ferguson, chesleas, liverpool, man united, arsenal and man city arent really mentioned, as a neutral i am looking forward to this game, and knowing supporters of both teams i know how much they are up 4 it
From juanpab1988 on Fri Oct 16 06:46PM
Report abuse
I haven't heard more hype about such a boring fixture in all my life. no one outside Lancashire gives a feck. Who cares? These two teams are the most boring clubs in the premiership. NOW SHUT THE FECK UP ABOUT IT.
From wobblay on Fri Oct 16 07:47PM
Report abuse
Theres something about derbys no matter where u are in the world. Being a toon fan we have one game top of our list the makems now thats a red mist match has been for over a hundred years. Yet I heard the most violent derby to be involved with was pompy and saints down on south coast. Any where in the uk the derby rates as the most expectant home game of the season, long may they do so.
From vallumhigh on Fri Oct 16 08:08PM
Report abuse
Wobblay you nonce. This is the game of the season for us. You are a plastic! 3-1 rovers
From davidhindle1961 on Fri Oct 16 08:31PM
Report abuse
eeeeer am i missing something here , the only genuine hatred derby game is pompey and the red and white scummers """"""""&q
uot;""""
From nbrian47 on Fri Oct 16 08:41PM
Report abuse
COMMENT 4 ,IS 100 % CORRECT. COMMENT 23 ,YES THE CLARETS ,TO DO THE ROVERS, 3-0 BUT THE BLUES RELEGATED NO DERBY NOT ON YOUR LIFE. I REMEMBER ROASTING THEM IN THE ,HALCYON DAYS OF THE ,I950/60S WHEN THE, CLARET AND BLUE AND BLUE STRIP OF, BURNLEY SCARED THE LIFE OUT OF THE DOMESTIC GAME AND THE WONDERFUL TEAM ASSEMBLED BY ,THE MASTER, HARRY POTTS WITH SUCH GREAT PLAYERS THAT MAKE THE MAJORITY OF THE ,FOREIGN ,IMPORTS LOOK SECOND RATE NAMES LIKE JIMMY MAC,ADAMSON POINTER PILKINGTON BLACKLAW COLIN McDONALD,IM SURE CAPELLO WOULD LOVE OUR COLIN,AND YES HE WAS EVERY BIT AS GOOD AS GORDON BANKS AS A KEEPER MAKE NO MISTAKE FLASHED ACROSS THE STADIUMS OF ENGLAND AND EUROPE LIKE A STREAK OF CLARET AND BLUE LIGHTNING. THE MIGHTY ,1960S ,BURNLEY WERE AMONG THE VERY BEST TEAMS THESE ISLANDS HAVE EVER SEEN BECKHAM FORGET IT JIMMY MAC WAS BETTER BY A LONG WAY.IF YOU HAD TOLD ME ,THIS AS I HAVE SAID BEFORE ,THAT 22 YEARS AFTER WATCHING A TEAM,WEARING THE PROUD CLARET AND BLUE OF BURNLEY, PLAY FOR THE LIFE OF THE CLUB AND THE VERY SOUL OF OUR TOWN THEY WOULD ONCE AGAIN GRACE THE TOP FLIGHT I WOULD HAVE THOUGHT YOU WERE STARK RAVING BONKERS,BUT THE CLARETS ARE BACK WHERE THEY BELONG AND ID LOVE TO SEE THE FACES OF THE BUNCH OF ROVERS FANS I RAN INTO IN LUTON,AFTER UNCLE "FAT JACK" BROUGHT THE TITLE,A THING BOB LORD AND OUR HARRY DID NOT HAVE TO DO,!!!! WHO TOLD ME :"[WE'LL NEVER PLAY THE $HITE AGAIN" EAT YOUR WORDS LADS TURFMOOR WILL NEVER EVER DIE. HARRY POTTS AND BOB LORD WHO FOR ALL HIS FAULTS LOVED THE TOWN AND THE TEAM WITH A BURNING PASSION AS DO WE ALL WHO HAIL FROM BURNLEY,AND POOR BRIAN MILLER WERE HERE TO SEE THIS LONG. LIVE TURFMOOR UP THE CLARETS.
From paulcasini on Fri Oct 16 09:05PM
Report abuse
number 29 - get a bloody grip! its a game of footie. im a rovers fan, but for god's sake, you need to grow up!
From amheys on Fri Oct 16 10:13PM
Report abuse
This will be a cr.ap game typical EPL game.
From www.gazbob on Fri Oct 16 11:51PM
Report abuse
to the clowns slagging off this article.. get a life! it was a good article and full of interesting facts that most of you plastic fans still dont know despite having just read it. to the idiots that say Burnley and Blackburn are boring to watch.. are you serious? have you even seen them play this season? Burnley are the most attacking minded team in the league! the concede a few because of that, but boring? wtf? wake up! dont comment if you havent actually seen any football.
From eatme_nz on Sat Oct 17 12:45AM
Report abuse
Blackburn v Burnley, make some more pies for this big sell out,come and see the famouse Clarke (pictured)Blackburn let anyone have a ticket,so don't go to that funeral come to the game, roll up, roll up,
From p.hamilton33 on Fri Oct 16 06:16PM
bet Oddies are on overtime ;D good luck Burnley
from Liverpool fan
ps who will the "thick neck gits" be shouting for?
From kevin_morley on Sat Oct 17 12:59AM
Report abuse
it must be the lousiest derby on earth
From jrad878 on Sat Oct 17 01:20AM
Report abuse
to think a game like this is @#$% shows you dont understand of love a good football match. derby matches are some of the most exciting matches in all of football, and they dont always have to be city v utd, or arsenal v chelsea to be exciting
From jgisanog on Sat Oct 17 04:43AM
Report abuse
Win 2 tickets to a premier match of your choice text GL MATCHTICKETS to 87070
From gibson7201 on Sat Oct 17 08:13AM
Report abuse