Dave Burnley '2 options legal, 2 illegal'

[paulatky]

They must've had some good camouflage gear. I watched quite a few Burnley away games in the S & SE of England during the 80's and there were midweek nights when there weren't much more than a few hundred in the away end.

Southend away under Cotts on a Tuesday night not many were there but me and DB were.
Lost 1-0 to a late goal if I remember correctly, but that was after the 80’s

[Billy Balfour]

There's lots of envious people around in this world, and more than a few who would be quite happy for his 46 year run to end regardless whether covid19 restrictions were in place or not.
Quite sad really.

Envious of him? I can't see it. Maybe a tiny handful of people, if that, who don't have any life outside of football.

[IanMcL]

I am not in favour of him 'breaking in'.

I am in favour of him being invited. He is unique.

There will be others in the ground. Behind closed doors still has to operate. There will be plenty of space for him! Give him a job for the duration. Collect the balls that go in the stands etc.

I would not begrudge him that. We can all go shopping, this is nothing like that. The rest of us do not have the same 'unique history'.

If fe tried to get in, by cheating/scamming/conning etc, then fe should be arrested and locked up for the match duration!

[Darnhill Claret]

Surely we aren’t going to get upset at 100 individuals if BFC chose to invite that number, or vow never to set foot inside the ground again on principle. As it is there will be a number who choose not to attend again for fear of contracting the virus even when all restraints are cancelled. To some there will never be a ‘normal’ again.

[paulatky]

There will be a ‘guest list’ and some people will be invited. I would be more than happy for Dave B to be a substitute guest and could replace an original on said list, as I’m also fairly certain there would be at least one original guest who would choose to turn down the opportunity.

Dont think any decision has been made yet if away Directors can attend the Etihad.

[Steve1956]

I presume people would be happy with Alastair Campbell being invited along too, he’s more famous than Dave Burnley.

Going off his Twitter feed he will be sectioned before the season starts again,some extraordinary tweets coming from our other superfan

[Grumps]

I presume people would be happy with Alastair Campbell being invited along too, he’s more famous than Dave Burnley.

He was allowed to drive to ewood and park there when we played, so wouldn't be surprised if the club did do something for him...... It would still be wrong in my eyes..... No fans, should be no fans, legally or otherwise

[nil_desperandum]

Out of curiosity when it states Dave has never missed a game, does that include friendlies, because i'm pretty sure there's been occasions in pre-season when we've played 2 fixtures at the same time, so as devoted as Dave is even he can't have attended 2 venues at the same time.

You're most likely correct, but I do know there was at least one occasion when he watched most of the first half at one ground and then was transported rapidly to another ground to catch most of the 2nd half.

[nil_desperandum]

Going off his Twitter feed he will be sectioned before the season starts again,some extraordinary tweets coming from our other superfan

I think that's rather an unfortunate phrase to use given Campbell's well-known fight with severe mental health issues.

[Loyalclaret]

He's not the only person to drive to Ewood - we had a mini bus and drove with no escort Grumps. More hoi polloi than famous

If DB finds a legal way in - good luck to him

[nil_desperandum]

Wouldn't it just be ironic if he wrote to the Chairmen of all our away games stating his unique case, and they were sympathetic and all found him some official role on the day (e.g. ball boy) thus enabling him to attend, but he was banned from Turf Moor whilst Alistair Campbell was admitted!

[Dyched]

I think he’s selfish. Not missed a game for 40 odd years? So he’s seen far more than his fair share. If we’re allowing people in (which we’re not) then let those that can’t afford tickets go instead.

[Steve1956]

I think that's rather an unfortunate phrase to use given Campbell's well-known fight with severe mental health issues.

No offence was meant,have you seen his tweets the last few weeks,the one with him singing a revised National anthem and showing of his medals was cringe worthy

[TVC15]

Letting in a hundred or so nurses, doctors and key workers might be the best option / gesture all round.

[MACCA]

Envious of him? I can't see it. Maybe a tiny handful of people, if that, who don't have any life outside of football.

That's what I said, more than a few. Probably/seems a dozen on this thread alone, whether they'd admit it or not is another thing.

[MACCA]

Why would anyone be envious of him? I don’t understand that. If I wanted to attend every single Burnley game I would do.

Bizarre that some people are condoning a bloke threatening to illegally gain access to football stadiums.

Firstly I'm not condoning it.

People may be envious that he goes on every single game, others maybe cant afford too, cant get time off work, would get earache of the mrs etc. The fact he does it and gets called Burnley's most loyal fan, really gets to some people

I'm sure every Burnley fan would love to go on every single game but cant for 1 reason or another, so some will be envious that he's doing something they can't.

[Rileybobs]

Letting in a hundred or so nurses, doctors and key workers might be the best option / gesture all round.

How about just playing it behind closed doors and not letting in anyone as a gesture. Your suggestion would be to allow those who have been most exposed to the virus to attend? That seems to be the polar opposite of what we’re trying to achieve by playing games behind closed doors.

[ChristheViking]

He's unique. We've got no-one else like him and I've not heard of other clubs having such a devoted fan as we have.

His streak is something to behold and I don't think it's unreasonable for him to be invited to the game in some capacity on the proviso he's got an up-to-date health check.

It's not as though it's a campaign to have dozens of fans allowed in. It's a one-off for a complete one-off. Recognize it as that.

Good luck Dave.

[martin_p]

That's what I said, more than a few. Probably/seems a dozen on this thread alone, whether they'd admit it or not is another thing.

Wishing the same rules apply to every supporter is not jealousy. It’ll be sad his incredible run has to stop, but when thousands of people have lost their lives, livelihoods or jobs due to this pandemic it’s well down the list of things I’ll care about.

[Rileybobs]

Firstly I'm not condoning it.

People may be envious that he goes on every single game, others maybe cant afford too, cant get time off work, would get earache of the mrs etc. The fact he does it and gets called Burnley's most loyal fan, really gets to some people

I'm sure every Burnley fan would love to go on every single game but cant for 1 reason or another, so some will be envious that he's doing something they can't.

Well you’re suggesting that people who disagree with his plans to try and enter the stadium are envious. Seems like you’re condoning it, as are others.

I definitely wouldn’t love to go on every single Burnley game. I love watching Burnley but I have far more other things to do with my time and money than to travel to every single game. So I can safely say I am not envious of someone who has attended every single game since before I was born.

[Devils_Advocate]

Letting in a hundred or so nurses, doctors and key workers might be the best option / gesture all round.

Sounds good in principle but you need to think about the impacts this will have on the already fragile self esteem of the St Johns Ambulance men and women who man the games

Surrounding them with real healthcare professionals could do further damage to their social skills and confidence and this worries me a little

[MACCA]

Wishing the same rules apply to every supporter is not jealousy. It’ll be sad his incredible run has to stop, but when thousands of people have lost their lives, livelihoods or jobs due to this pandemic it’s well down the list of things I’ll care about.

Like I said on my initial post that you've either not read, or read incorrectly ( you're making a habit if this ) I said some will be happy hes finally missed a game regardless of covid19.
Theyll be people who have been waiting years for this to happen and will no doubt have a little chuckle to themselves.
Not you personally, but theyll be some out there.

So I'm not debating why he should or shouldn't go thats a seperate issue a d debate I'm not discussing, I'm merely highlighting some people will be happy his run has come to an end.

[MACCA]

Well you’re suggesting that people who disagree with his plans to try and enter the stadium are envious. Seems like you’re condoning it, as are others.

No I am not, but I am glad you know what I think, means you can do my posting for me...

Like I said, and will say again they'll be some envious of what he gets to do, and his tag of Burnley's most loyal/famous supporter.

Couldnt give 2 hoots how many years it's been since he missed, if that makes him happy, then great

[Devils_Advocate]

He's unique. We've got no-one else like him and I've not heard of other clubs having such a devoted fan as we have.

Cowdenbeath in Scotland has a supporter who has been a ball boy since he was 7 in 1959. He is now 68 and is in his 60th consecutive season as a ball boy without missing a game.

From 1963 he has been on every away match apart from a trip to Raith Rovers in 1970 when he had uncontrollable diarrhoea. I would suggest this man rivals Dave Burnley

[TVC15]

How about just playing it behind closed doors and not letting in anyone as a gesture. Your suggestion would be to allow those who have been most exposed to the virus to attend? That seems to be the polar opposite of what we’re trying to achieve by playing games behind closed doors.

Maybe some support Burnley just as much as anyone else and have a life they enjoy outside of work
Maybe they know how to socially distance
Maybe they have been tested more than others and many have more chance of building up the anti bodies
What’s the difference to them going to visit a park ?

Would not say it’s the polar opposite of anything but it’s fine for us to disagree on it.

[nil_desperandum]

Cowdenbeath in Scotland has a supporter who has been a ball boy since he was 7 in 1959. He is now 68 and is in his 60th consecutive season as a ball boy without missing a game.

From 1963 he has been on every away match apart from a trip to Raith Rovers in 1970 when he had uncontrollable diarrhoea. I would suggest this man rivals Dave Burnley

I agree, although not attending due to diarrhoea is a bit of a s**t excuse for not turning up.

[Rileybobs]

Maybe some support Burnley just as much as anyone else and have a life they enjoy outside of work
Maybe they know how to socially distance
Maybe they have been tested more than others and many have more chance of building up the anti bodies
What’s the difference to them going to visit a park ?

Would not say it’s the polar opposite of anything but it’s fine for us to disagree on it.

Letting fans attend a game is the polar opposite of playing ‘behind closed doors’.

[TVC15]

Letting fans attend a game is the polar opposite of playing ‘behind closed doors’.

Allowing 100 fans into a stadium of capacity of 80,000 is not the polar opposite of playing behind closed doors. Letting in 80,000 would be the polar opposite..it means the extreme opposite.
As you may have seen at other behind closed doors games in the past there is often 300 or 400 people there.

[Billy Balfour]

Bloke: How come you stopped watching Burnley after the Tottenham home game?

A lethal pandemic was killing thousands of people.

Bloke: You massive part-timer.

[Rileybobs]

Allowing 100 fans into a stadium of capacity of 80,000 is not the polar opposite of playing behind closed doors. Letting in 80,000 would be the polar opposite..it means the extreme opposite.
As you may have seen at other behind closed doors games in the past there is often 300 or 400 people there.

OK, well making a token gesture by letting a hundred or so key workers attend a game that is supposedly taking part 'behind closed doors' in order to to minimise the spread of a virus is totally at odds with the reason why the game is being played behind closed doors in the first place.

Surely you don't think it's a good idea for a hundred or so doctors and nurses to attend?

This is perfectly simple for me. No fans are allowed to attend. As soon as we make exceptions, be it for our 'superfan' or a gesture to key workers we are diluting the reason for playing the game behind closed doors. We are increasing the risk of the virus being spread for no discernible benefit. Every other club will then be entitled to make the same exceptions. There will be lots of disgruntled football fans across the country and this will only lead to some of them trying extreme measures to attend the games.

It's a shame for people like Dave Burnley, but there will be other fans who have watched the vast majority of our games and some will stretch back before he started watching us. This thing is bigger than individuals and to make exceptions opens up a big ugly can of worms.

[Rileybobs]

No I am not, but I am glad you know what I think, means you can do my posting for me...

Like I said, and will say again they'll be some envious of what he gets to do, and his tag of Burnley's most loyal/famous supporter.

Couldnt give 2 hoots how many years it's been since he missed, if that makes him happy, then great

Maybe I misunderstood your stance, in which case I apologise. But by suggesting that people who disagree with Dave Burnley's plans to illegally gain entry to a stadium are envious has left your position wide open to being misinterpreted.

[Jamesy]

I’ve never understood this ‘he travels from the potteries’ thing. Stoke is about a 90 minute drive from Burnley. It takes me that long to get to Burnley from where I live but I don’t make a big deal out of it.

I live 110 miles from Burnley and attend all home games and most aways and have done for years. I don’t make a big deal about it. I think you are perhaps missing the point that this guys attendance record and commitment to BFC are second to none.

[Billy Balfour]

I live 110 miles from Burnley and attend all home games and most aways and have done for years. I don’t make a big deal about it. I think you are perhaps missing the point that this guys attendance record and commitment to BFC are second to none.

Do you live in Telford?

[wilks_bfc]

Letting in a hundred or so nurses, doctors and key workers might be the best option / gesture all round.

Speak to any nurse or doctor and as much as they have appreciated the gestures and the thanks they have received, all they really want is for people to do as they are told

[martin_p]

I live 110 miles from Burnley and attend all home games and most aways and have done for years. I don’t make a big deal about it. I think you are perhaps missing the point that this guys attendance record and commitment to BFC are second to none.

Oh I don’t doubt that, but ‘and he travels from the potteries you know’ is often tagged on to the end like it’s the other end of the country.

[Jamesy]

Do you live in Telford?

Shrewsbury

[Billy Balfour]

Shrewsbury

Cheers. I thought it might have been the Shropshire area when you said 110 miles. This is why I guessed at Telford.

[nil_desperandum]

Oh I don’t doubt that, but ‘and he travels from the potteries you know’ is often tagged on to the end like it’s the other end of the country.

It's not so easy when you don't drive though.

[Jamesy]

Cheers. I thought it might have been the Shropshire area when you said 110 miles. This is why I guessed at Telford.

You are welcome. I generally travel by train for weekend games home and away but midweeks require car travel and no beer.

[Jamesy]

Oh I don’t doubt that, but ‘and he travels from the potteries you know’ is often tagged on to the end like it’s the other end of the country.

I get that Martin, Stoke isn’t a long long way away and it is relatively easy to get to Burnley from there on public transport. However this guy has been doing this for over fifty years and only missed one game. Like the guy or not, that is an incredible achievement. I understand people’s frustration about not being able to attend when they too haven’t missed a game for many years, but let’s give the guy some recognition please.

[martin_p]

I get that Martin, Stoke isn’t a long long way away and it is relatively easy to get to Burnley from there on public transport. However this guy has been doing this for over fifty years and only missed one game. Like the guy or not, that is an incredible achievement. I understand people’s frustration about not being able to attend when they too haven’t missed a game for many years, but let’s give the guy some recognition please.

I’ve said his achievement is incredible, but it shouldn’t mean the rules don’t apply to him.

[TVC15]

Speak to any nurse or doctor and as much as they have appreciated the gestures and the thanks they have received, all they really want is for people to do as they are told

Yes I get that - I’m married to a nurse who has been on the frontline for 30 years.
The way people are talking about this is suggesting some kind of free for all, putting lives at risk, all of them being riddled with the virus etc
Is a hundred people spread across a large open air stadium any more dangerous / risky than going to the packed parks or supermarkets where people are legally socially distancing.
I am happy to respect other people’s views that they would rather not let anybody in but my view is that if this could be done safely I do not see it as an issue and I don’t think a number of NHS staff would do either.
As I said it’s fine to disagree - but I would rather not have my views twisted that I would be happy to allow this to happen even if it’s spreading the virus - I have said if it is safe to do so.

[Quicknick]

Hello, Dave. From Wrinehill Nick.

[Grumps]

It's amazing what some people think is safe on this thread, yet argue against similar, if not safer things on other threads

[evensteadiereddie]

It's amazing how some people, Grumps, defended Cummings' recent behaviour, isn't it ?

At least, DB could be let in and would pose absolutely no danger to anyone else.

[IanMcL]

Are you saying DB is harmless????

[evensteadiereddie]

Absolutely - a great lad.

[Grumps]

It's amazing how some people, Grumps, defended Cummings' recent behaviour, isn't it ?

At least, DB could be let in and would pose absolutely no danger to anyone else.

I certainly didn't...

[Oshkoshclaret]

I would 100% support the club making a special case for DB to be allowed in. As others have pointed out he is utterly unique. There are other superfans but DB is in an entire category of his own. I met him in Minneapolis, MN after he'd done a 1200 mile hitch-hike there from Cary, NC. This is not, on any level, normal. Yes he can be a bit of a bell, and there's some aspects of that in the article that started this thread. But personally I give him some leeway because there is a touch of mental illness about the obsession... the way he's organised his ENTIRE LIFE around one goal. It is entirely consistent that he would be looking at every conceivable option.

[jrgbfc]

He's unique. We've got no-one else like him and I've not heard of other clubs having such a devoted fan as we have.

His streak is something to behold and I don't think it's unreasonable for him to be invited to the game in some capacity on the proviso he's got an up-to-date health check.

It's not as though it's a campaign to have dozens of fans allowed in. It's a one-off for a complete one-off. Recognize it as that.

Good luck Dave.

I reckon virtually every club in the country will have at least one similar character. If we're treating it as some sort of competition, then the lads who follow their clubs all over Europe every season are beating Dave Burnley.