Not born in Burnley never lived in Burnley but still a Claret?

[Rouwens_Weapon]

Born and raised in Preston but my Dad and Aunty are from Burnley. The latter started taking me on games when i was 5/6 with my first season ticket when i was 7 (around the Heath / Waddle era). I've been hooked ever since, even during the Cotterill winless streak!

Have since moved to Munich although still have my season ticket and attend as many games as possible. Trying to convert as many Germans to be Clarets as possible and there will be 5 of them coming with me to Southampton away!

Keep the faith

[Bcap1959]

Born in Kirby Lonsdale but moved to and brought up on a farm in Roughlee in the late fifties and early sixties. Was first taken to Turf Moor during the 59/60 season to an evening game which I think was against Blackburn Rovers, in the back of a Land Rover. I think we won but not sure, and could never support anyone else even though my uncle tried to convert me to Preston. Now been in south London for 47 years but still try and get to Burnley matches down here.

[quoonbeatz]

none of my family were born in nor lived in burnley but we're all clarets and all sit together on the Turf.

like many others, it's thanks to my Dad, who is from accy. at least me and my Mum can claim to be vaguely from nearby; we were both born in bolton and most of her side of the family are wanderers fans. not so my brothers though; they're both from paignton.

[Inchy]

Some very interesting reasons for supporting Burnley

Imagine if this was on a Man UTD or Chelsea forum?

[SonofPog]

Born in Hampshire, (in 79, so took a long time for me to see us beat Bburn ) I've never lived further north than Oxford.

Another one that's a claret thanks to their Dad, he's from Hebden, and my Mums from Tod.

Fond memories of travelling to all our local games, Bournemouth (old and new) away, aldershot, Reading (old and new) and Brighton (old, running track and new), I remember once near Christmas where a fan had a go at one of our players and someone replying,.,. Ah leave him alone, ''tis Christmas, or Bournemouth away, same year as the derby cup game I believe, where a similar thing happened. Fans started singing with about 10 minutes to go in the first half left, carried on all way through HT and way into the second half, still had fences then, and one guy was off to the left one his own, setweards told him to get down, so he hopped off, walk to the right where he joined about another 20 all singing on the fence to a great roar from the Burnley fans. Or Reading away, taking my gf, now ex-wife, think we lost 3-0, and having her turn to me and ask why only the Burnley fans were singing,

Had a few trips to the turf too, remember being a lad and standing on the long side, when I think Barnet brought about 3 fans. Or sitting in the Bob Lord and losing I think 5-0 to Rotherham,

Why not Southampton? Never crossed my mind, the father bond was too strong, and I visibly remember going onto those games with my Dad as a youngster, him warning me about the crush leaving on the long side, or the rush forward when there was a goal. And why I know that football and the world had moved forward, I'll remember what it was like feeling like I was being let into my Dads world, rather than today, where, "you've got to put something on for the kids" always. They're pretty much my only childhood memories, such is how strong they are.

UTC wherever they are and wherever they're from.

[moaninclaret]

born in bury myself, moved to rossendale when i was very young, been a claret as long as i can remember,like a lot of you out there burnley fc is in our souls whether born there or not, moved to oswaldtwistle so getting closer to my beloved turf moor. Clarets fans follow our team through thick and thin,its a real town football club and families have been going to watch for generations. Unlike your uniteds and citys which to me are just massive enterprises, our tiny but wonderful club and town are something to be proud of. I too salute all clarets fans wherever you are.

[Spike]

born in Blackburn well Bull Hill maternity Darwen actually.
My dad used to be a printer and worked at a time when the Sports Pink was printed so got very few Saturdays off. He was a rover.

Started going to Burnley and got loads of grief at school which made me more determined. cant think why we got so much grief, maybe the BFC shirt badge sewn onto my school jumper didn't help.

I kept an opticians going with all the scrapes I got into. indeed it shut down when I got married and moved to Preston.

My 28 years of missionary work in Blackburn done I started in Preston.

The wife a closet knobber until we met has now had a Burnley season ticket fro 31 years.

My son has had a season ticket all his life although he has had freedom of choice he too chose the Clarets

His girlfriend didn't like football but now is a season ticket holder as well

Keep The Faith!

[Circa86]

Having been born up near Manchester in 1986 my folks moved the family to Nottinghamshire a few months later, I have never lived in or around Burnley. Brainwashed by my old man, who was originally from Burnley and an avid Claret, I was taken to Field Mill for some wet mid-week matches (looking at past results, a place where we haven’t lost in my lifetime) and bribed with sweets from the newsagents on Brunshaw Road to keep me happy whilst taking in matches when up visiting grandparents, aunts and uncles.

In April 1995 I was lucky enough to get a place as the club mascot at Vale Park, allowing me to take shots at Marlon Beresford pre-match and meet my childhood star, David Eyres. Thanks to my Grandad for sorting out Frank Teesdale’s plumbing and subsequently fixing me up with the gig. Two or three years later I was snuck into the players bar after a match away at Chesterfield (with a great uncle who had a family link to a Chesterfield player at the time). I was in complete shock when Marlon wandered over and said “It’s Sam isn’t it”. To this day my great uncle is adamant he didn’t say anything, I remain a sceptic.

Everywhere I’ve lived subsequently I’ve bumped into fellow Clarets. At university in Birmingham there were at least a three of us, probably more. Down in London there are certainly a load of us. Whilst living in South West London last year, I was in awe of the little lad at football training in between an array of Chelsea, Arsenal and Spurs kits, proudly in a claret and blue shirt. Later the same day, wandering through the local shopping centre, spotting another shirt (during the summer break) amazed me. Turns out Wandsworth is a hot bed. Having recently moved over to South East London, I’m yet to find a Claret in the midst of all the Millwall fans but I’m certain there must be a few in the area. Not to worry if there aren’t, me and the Mrs have made one ourselves with our little lad having no choice over his team colours after being born in June (Grandad had the club clothing across with us before he even arrived).

Growing up in the Nottinghamshire whilst Burnley were languishing in the lower levels and Forest were still strong post their 70/80s success meant I was in for a lot of stick as a school kid. Personally I get a huge amount of pleasure in getting one over on Forest, giving me bragging rights with old mates. I didn’t have much choice when it came to who I supported and as any lifelong sufferer would say, I wouldn’t change it for the world. I feel I’ve been extremely lucky in that our club have only got stronger through my lifetime and long may the current success continue!

[Rowls]

My Dad was born in Knaresborough, Yorkshire, in 1954. My Uncle was two years his senior.

As soon as they were old enough to kick around together they did - they went and played football.

My Uncle had chosen Wolves as his team as they seemed to be winning things and were the dominant force at the time; So he was Wolves. He needed my Dad to represent the Other team. At the time, that was Burnley.

"You can be Burnley."

It was as simple as that. My Dad was given Burnley by my uncle.

More specifically, he was Ray Pointer.

I can't help thinking that his precious copies of Charles Buchan's Football Monthly helped seal the deal. I'm probably a Burnley fan because a picture like this was printed 30 years before I was born:



Sadly (in my eyes) my uncle's allegiance to Wolves faded over time and he came to adopt the more logical choice -geographically speaking- of Leeds as his team to support. As wonderful as my uncle is I can't help thinking he lost something by switching teams.

My Dad, on the other hand, never wavered. He is Burnley through and through.

At present he has passed on his commitment to two of his sons and one grandson.

Edit - the picture was printed 20 years before I was born. It's a bad maths day for me unfortunately.

[Rowls]

Great story circa86!

Was the Vale game in '95 the one where John Mullin scored?

[ClaretTony]

Great story circa86!

Was the Vale game in '95 the one where John Mullin scored?

That was 1993 - the game in 1995, which is the last time we played them in a league game was a 1-0 defeat.

[Steve1956]

Born in Newchurch in Rossendale... there was only ever going to be one club... Burnley ! My local club, I'm so glad my head wasn't turned by our Manchester neighbour's UTC!

[Greeny]

Born in Halifax, never lived on the other side of the Pennines and for the last 20 years have lived in Huddersfield.

All my family were from Rossendale. Dad and Uncle were regular's on the Turf. Since being knee high to a grasshopper, despite the geography and border crossing, there has only been one football team. Spent many a Man Utd/Liverpool/Dirty Leeds match at the Turf being lifted up by Dad or Uncle so I could sit on the barrier in the corner of the Longside/Bee Hole End and get to see the game. Top Gents - both now long gone unfortunately.

One of my early highlights was getting the bus to Elland Road to watch us play there in the 70's I think and we won convincingly. Not great when I jumped up in the stand to celebrate one of our goals going in and a sea of white shirts glaring at me - could have been far worse!! For a few seasons I could even walk to the away game at The Shay. I can now walk to the John Smith's Stadium but like everyone else on this thread after going through so many ups and downs over many years, will never change my allegiance. UTC

[Noblelight]

Born in Henley on Thames Oxon.
No family connection to Burnley at all.
Dad only liked cricket.
I just chose Burnley when I was 5 or 6 and have supported them ever since.
The further down the leagues we went the stronger the love got.
Couldn't imagine supporting any other team.
UTC!

[Bin Ont Turf]

That was 1993 - the game in 1995, which is the last time we played them in a league game was a 1-0 defeat.

I remember that game for Eye of the Tiger coming on and Rocky doing boxing combinations to it on the wall at the front.

[NottsClaret]

From Accy originally, so could be either Blackburn or Burnley (Stanley were just a semi-pro team like Great Harwood then). Luckily my dad chose Burnley for me, my brother went to Deadwood. The last six or seven years have made up for everything prior to that.

My lad was born in Burnley before we moved so he has a good answer for any locals here asking 'Why Burnley?'

[Claret&Green]

My Grandad was born on Cog Lane in 1911 but at the age of 20 moved away for work, first to Bristol where he met my Grandmother then to Guildford where they had my Dad. He grew up in the 40's & 50's going to Burnley away games at the likes of Arsenal & Spurs. After getting married my parents moved to Gloucestershire where I was born, I was brought up a Claret but through the 70's it was away games at Swindon, Cardiff, the two Bristol teams and the Birmingham clubs. I now live in Stockport and my youngest is 7 and went to his first games at Turf v Lincoln last season, and v WBA this season.

[Circa86]

That was 1993 - the game in 1995, which is the last time we played them in a league game was a 1-0 defeat.

Obviously wasn't a lucky mascot!

Good story of yours too Rowls, always enjoy reading threads like this. Ontario claret has a great story if i remember correctly.

[SalisburyClaret]

I was born in Liverpool and when I started "Big" school I needed a bag for my PE kit, so my Mum went to the shop and came back with a bag with the Burnley crest on it. There were 3 popular teams in Liverpool at the time - Liverpool, Everton and Burnley (who had just won the Div 1 Championship). The Burnley bag was cheaper than the other 2 - that's why my Mum bought it. So my that point forwards I was a Claret.

During my teens my football interest faded but later on I was divorced with an ex wife living in N Yorks and I was a Saturday Dad with 2 young daughters, we'd gone to Burnley and they were bored of the shops and nothing much else to do and of course it was pouring with rain. So I thought Turf Moor may help pass the time - the girls were keen as they might get a coke and chocolate. So we went and it became the focus of our Saturdays and I became an OK Dad rather that the rubbish one they had to put up with every other Saturday. I've now been going for 30 odd years despite living a few hundred miles away. The girls are still fans and the Grandson soon will be - if it goes to plan!

[NickBFC]

I support Burnley thanks to my dad. As a young teen living in East Sussex he started supporting the Clarets in the 60s. His reason being he enjoyed seeing the underdog competing with the big clubs, and admired the style of football we played.

He took my brother and I to our first game away at Portsmouth in 94. We grew up in Sussex and have never lived further north than north Essex!

None of the family have ties to Burnley or the north west. Over the years we have influenced a few friends who are now supporters, including my son who is proud to wear his Burnley shirt in amongst the Chelsea, Spurs, Arsenal (and now Brighton!) shirts on display. Once you're hooked, you're hooked...

[Hazzyclaret1955]

From Haslingden so two choices really. My Dad was one those who went to Burnley one week and Blackburn the other before he was married, well not much to do on a Saturday afternoon in the late 40s early 50s. He first took me to Blackburn when I was seven, as young lads could sit on a bench at the side of the pitch. After three visits to Ewood my best friend asked if I would like to go to the Turf with hid Dad and Uncle. That was in 1962 and from then it was only Burnley for me. My Dad worked in Burnley, Anderson's printing works and Sammy Todd's wife worked there, he got all my players picture album signed by the team. My two lads were brought up in claret and blue, in 1995 my eldest was five and had started at a school in Helmshore apart from one claret all the rest were Rovers and a few United. He came home one day nearly in tears at the stick he was getting, he said Dad can I be a Rovers fan, I said sorry son no. I got him a season ticket and he never looked back. At Wembley after the play off game he turned to me with tears in his eyes and said "thanks for making me a Burnley fan Dad"

[Woodleyclaret]

Born and lived in West Lancs. Burscough
Our village had two stations and one went to Southport and Manchester.Consequently we had a lot of Man U fans at school .We were never going to support any Scouse teams despite being 12miles from Goodison.
But I was true glory hunter and watching Burnley v Hamburg on my aunties black and white tv,I decided this was my team,the team who had won the league the previous season.
Travelling to the Turf by rail was easy changing at the now defunct Todd Lane Junction and up to Burnley.
Ist game at home travelling with the hoards of United fans from school to see us loose 1-0 to a Dennis Law header.Lots of lows since but highs are now more common.I am an optimist and despite derision of Burnley fans in the bad old days of Div 4,I knew we'd get back to our rightful place at the top.

[Erasmus]

Born in the West Midlands, grew up in Essex and then lived in different places in the UK and US. My allegiance goes back to 1961 when I was six and Burnley were on the TV playing Cologne in the European Cup, with Kenneth Wolstenholme commentating. There was not much football on then and me and my brother were glued to the set, amazed by Burnley's performance. After the match my brother said, "I think I'm going to support Burnley" and me being a younger sibling, I said, "Well I will too then".

My brother had previously supported PNE because he liked Tom Finney and he soon moved on from Burnley but I have stuck with the Clarets ever since through thick and thin. Coincidentally, I did live in Accy for a few years following my marriage and still have family contacts there, so I have some local connection, but really it was all down to hero-worshipping my big brother.

[claret59]

I was born in Colne but lived most of my early years in Barnoldswick. I had no interest in football until my best friend , we were both about twelve at the time, made the simple remark to anyone listening that he could not understand how anyone could not be a Burnley supporter in Barlick.
At that time Burnley were one of the top clubs in the First Division and his remark seemed so logical to me that I thought I had to support Burnley and so began a kind of love affair began that has rarely diminished over the years although I long since left Barnoldswick and have never lived anywhere near Burnley. One of my happy memories is of my sister waking me to tell me that Burnley had become the First Division Champions.
My saddest memory is when I used to post regularly on here but I ceased many years ago because of the abuse I got when I appealed to other posters not to use the name of Jesus as a swear word. Needless to say, and with genuine sadness, they queued up on the message board of that time to repeat the blasphemy. In this respect there has been little respect shown to Christian clarets to this present time.
Despite all my years as a claret I had never personally met any Burnley player until I shook hands with Tom Heaton when we clinched promotion to the premier League for the second time. I told him he was the best goalkeeper I had seen for Burnley and he replied : 'I don't know about that!'

[Top Claret]

Born and bred in Rossendale in the 60/70s. If you lived east of Hassy like most do you either supported United or Burnley, no one gave a toss about Rovers, they were jack ****, just like they are now.
All the claret supporters were local kids whose familys had generations in the valley, like mine. The United fans were the kids of refugee families evacuated from Salford and Manchester after World War 2 and laid there routes down and passed there traditions down to there kids.

Most Rossi Clarets will tell you that our biggest rivals are United, always have been, always will be.

[Willy]

I was born in Fleetwood and supported Blackpool as a kid,my first match being a pre-season friendly - Blackpool 1 Bstds 2.
The family moved to Bury in the early 70's and one of my primary school teachers was the daughter of the Bury chairman and had a season ticket to lend the pupils.
Eventhough my first match was a reserve game in the Central League,I was hooked and spent every Saturday afternoon at Gigg Lane.
During this time a neighbour across the road occasionally took me to Maine Road to watch City then as I got older I would go to Gigg Lane one week,then Burnden Park on the bus the week after.
In 1978 we moved to Burnley and my love of football took me to Turf Moor for a League Cup match v Bradford City where I inadvertently watched from the away end.
For the next 9 years,I visited Turf Moor occasionally without really feeling the buzz until I went on the Orient match.
That game changed my footballing life forever and despite still playing myself I watched the Clarets at every opportunity.
At the start of the 1991-92 season I decided to stop playing Saturdays and that started a run of 5 seasons where I went to every match home and away.
During this period we played Swindon away on a Tuesday night and at half time I got talking to the elderly guy sat next to me.
He had travelled from Aldershot and had never been to Turf Moor or seen us play at Wembley but was there because his deceased wife had been born in Harle Syke.
I now live in Nelson and have 4 Burnley Football Club fanatics.

[Steve1956]

Never lived in Burnley, I was born and bred 'over the hill' in Loveclough/Crawshawbooth.
My big bruvver took me to my first match in September 1960, a month before Claret Tony made his debut.

I used to live down Goodshawfold road Nr the Spewing duck..small world we live in isn't it,we could even be chatting to our next door neighbour on here and not know it!

[Southportclaret]

My grandparents lived in Burnley and my grandmother's sister was landlady of the Fighting Cocks. As a child I used to come over with my parents every Christmas and if Burnley were at home my grandfather used to take me on the match. First game was Boxing Day 1969 - lost 1-5 to Liverpool but despite that I was hooked. As a teenager I came over from Southport on the bus, went to the game and then we went to the F.Cocks for our tea. It was great. Been supporting ever since and now both my sons come to games with me. I always remember my grandfather whenever we come. That's one of the best things about being a Claret - such a strong connection between the past and present, looking back and looking forward with equal pleasure.

[Juan Tanamera]

I used to live down Goodshawfold road Nr the Spewing duck..small world we live in isn't it,we could even be chatting to our next door neighbour on here and not know it!

We were living near St Mary's church on Goodshaw Lane when I was born but moved to Commercial Street in Loveclough when I was a few months old.

[Middle-agedClaret]

My brother ( who posts on here as Wadesawinger) and me have been Clarets for most of our lives - 50 years or so. We were born in N.Ireland. Dad was a soldier, so early years were spent in Kenya, Aden and Berlin - all a long way from Burnley. Absolutely no paternal influence on our football loyalty - my dad is probably the least sports-aware person I've ever met. ( even now, he seems to think we support Luton Town...). However - he was an Inniskilling Fusilier, and in the same battalion in Berlin was Joe Irvine - brother of Willie. Joe was himself a very good footballer, and ran a team for us youngsters. Even in those days the default team to support was Man Utd, but under the benign influence of Joe, and recognising the skill and ability of a fellow "NornIron" man in Willie -we became Burnley fans.
And that was it. The first game we managed to see together was Hereford Utd away in September 1976. We lost 3-0.The first time we went to Wembley was for The Sherpa Van Trophy Final against Wolves in 2008 - we lot 2-0. By this time my brother was running a pub in the West Midlands (The Little Pie Factory in Tipton, I think it was), and many of his regulars were Wolves fans. An interesting dynamic.
Over the years we've got used to the varying reactions to our chosen team. "Who?" "Why them?" "Why not support a winning team/a team in a higher league?" But we've always been very happy with that combination of circumstances that led us to becoming BFC fans.
We've enjoyed the good times - the win over Stockport County in the 3rd Division play-off final at Wembley in 1994; the semi-final second leg victory over Reading at the MadStad in May 2009 and the subsequent win over Sheffield United at Wembley.
And now we are Premier League team with a raised profile. More people have heard of Burnley and understand why we support them. But we never had any doubts.
UTC!!

[Colburn_Claret]

My dad's family all come from Hassy. Six brothers one sister, all Clarets, although only four of them followed with any seriousness. Still have lots of family there and miss the fact I don't go ad often now my dad's passed.
I know he'll be watching from that grandstand in the sky.

UTC

Just to add some more info.
My Dad met my mum whilst doing National Service at Catterick. After returning to Hassy for a couple of years, where my brother and sister were born, they moved back to Catterick and had me.
Trips to my Grans and the added bonus of a match on the Turf began when I was small enough to ride on my Dad's shoulders. The old Brunshaw Rd and Cricket field stands were still in use.
When my Brother started to drive at 17, we both got season tickets 69/70. My brother got married and moved to Loveclough, but his mate Geoff used to take us on. When the hard times hit, coincided with me becoming a Dad, the season ticket went and the matches became fewer and fewer. I couldn't justify the cost to myself, let alone the wife.
Promotion in 2009, kids all grown up, mortgage paid, I thought I'm not missing this. I've had my season ticket ever since. I also have the seat next to me, which my two kids share. Both avid Clarets.
Still catch up with family before matches.
My kids can't go on Sunday, so my brothers daughter is taking the seat, she lives in Tyldesley. A Man U fan but also a lover of the Clarets.

[ontario claret]

Read my thread "Why I love Burnley FC". (Even with the typos.)

[RammyClaret61]

Clarets here, Clarets there, Clarets every f*****where!! Na na na....

[Clevedon Claret]

One of the best threads on here for a long time.

Thoroughly enjoying reading these posts..... No bickering...lovely.

UTC

[COBBLE]

What a great feature which I hope the marketing professionals working for Burnley understand. Anyway, Rowls, my dad came home one day and said he was looking into a shop window and recognised the guy next to him. He brought me Ray's autograph. I also remember my first game at the Turf against Bolton as a child being passed down to the front of the Bee Hole End. Ray scored, (I think) a couple past Eddie Hopkinson.

[Kropotkin]

Top thread.

From a slightly different angle: I was brought up in Pendle, but my Dad wouldn't take me to football and so I had to wait until I was old enough to go on myself. That first time, a late-summer night match on the longside, left me hooked (and like many other on this thread, 'hooked' is exactly the right word). I left the area at 18 and never returned: watching matches home and away when possible from various places I lived.

But I've now contributed Mrs. Kropotkin and three little clarets to the season ticket numbers. There weren't born in Burnley and never lived in Burnley, and its a 250 miles round trip for homes games, but they wear the colours with pride almost every day and, at the moment, they wouldn't think of supporting anyone else.

When they're older they may switch to their local team - fair enough, I guess. But I'm hoping I've done enough to infect them for life, and then their kids in turn. We're a small town punching above our weight, so I joke that my greatest purpose in life is to leave more clarets on the earth than when I began. I'm only half-joking!

[JackMarge]

I was born and raised in Slough & now live in Lewisham, My dad was born and bred in Burnley and we still have a number of Margerison's living up there & in Manchester/Birmingham.

I've been an avid Burnley fan since I was about 13 years old and I absolutely love every single trip I take up to Burnley to see as many home games as possible and as a bonus I get to see the family too .

[Claretincraven]

Spent all of my 60 years in Skipton, other than whist away at College. Dad drove a Pennine bus, and as he was a Burnley fan he always volunteered to drive the Saturday football special so that he could watch the game. As soon as I was old enough I used to go with him, soon became a fan and been going ever since.

[IanMcL]

Listened to 1962 cup final on radio as no tv. Cheered for Spurs as lived in Reading. Thought Burnley played well. Went back to school and played cup final every day. My team Burnley. Wet playtime. Played tournament with old penny as your player and sixpence for ball. Lined up to get you team in the drawer. Lad looked when my turn and said "you'll be Burnley".

So I am! Saw them v Reading in '64 and stood in Burnley end. Aged 16 went to all London matches on train and Coventry, I remember! Change at Leamington Spa and get bus!
Now many away matches later and season ticket holder 3rd season. Enjoyed it all. Even when there were few, we still made an impression.

[Circa86]

I was born and raised in Slough & now live in Lewisham, My dad was born and bred in Burnley and we still have a number of Margerison's living up there & in Manchester/Birmingham.

I've been an avid Burnley fan since I was about 13 years old and I absolutely love every single trip I take up to Burnley to see as many home games as possible and as a bonus I get to see the family too .

JackMarge - Are you up at the turf tomorrow or watching on tv? I'm on Telegraph Hill, if you're Lewisham I guess you can't be far from me?

[PensansClaret]

Born and bred in Penzance Cornwall. I'm 61 now and have supported Burnley for over 50 years. No league club in Cornwall and all the kids support the so called big teams. I picked Burnley and am still as passionate about the Clarets as I was as a kid. Try to get to the Turf at least once a season and away games when I can. There are a few Cornish born Burnley fans and hopefully if we continue our great success there will be many more

[ralph]

Born and bred in Penzance Cornwall. I'm 61 now and have supported Burnley for over 50 years. No league club in Cornwall and all the kids support the so called big teams. I picked Burnley and am still as passionate about the Clarets as I was as a kid. Try to get to the Turf at least once a season and away games when I can. There are a few Cornish born Burnley fans and hopefully if we continue our great success there will be many more

quite a lot of locally born Clarets are of Cornish descent including me on my Dad's side .. his family are from the Callington/ Launceston area ....

[Californiajohnny]

Nor in Bolton followed the trotters until I was 20' . Moved to accrington and went to the odd Burnley games. Stated proper when Jimmy Mullen became the manager, move to California at age 48 but still follow Burnley, came back for the play offs. And now visiting, will watch palace and Huddersfield and then back home. Love being a Claret, started Accy Clarets.

[Burnleybabe]

Born and lived in West Lancs. Burscough
Our village had two stations and one went to Southport and Manchester.Consequently we had a lot of Man U fans at school .We were never going to support any Scouse teams despite being 12miles from Goodison.
But I was true glory hunter and watching Burnley v Hamburg on my aunties black and white tv,I decided this was my team,the team who had won the league the previous season.
Travelling to the Turf by rail was easy changing at the now defunct Todd Lane Junction and up to Burnley.
Ist game at home travelling with the hoards of United fans from school to see us loose 1-0 to a Dennis Law header.Lots of lows since but highs are now more common.I am an optimist and despite derision of Burnley fans in the bad old days of Div 4,I knew we'd get back to our rightful place at the top.

Do you have a Burnley sticker on your bin, and Burnley gnomes in your garden??

If so we always stop and look at your house as we go to Martin Mere.

[Healeywoodclaret]

Absolutely no connection with Burnley or England.
Born in Ohio and live in North Carolina.
Started watching the Premier League in 2014, decided I needed to follow a team, and randomly picked Burnley.
Never heard of the town before I picked them.
Didn't know a single player on the squad.
Took me about 6 months later to realize that Blackburn were rivals.
Started watching in 2014 and was hooked.

Very interesting post Asheville! My husband was an American Civil War re-enactor for a good number of years. He has studied the period for years. He was on the side of the Confederates of course! We visited Richmond Virginia a few years ago to visit the White House, Head of the Confederacy. We were made to feel very welcome.
Excellent news that you chose the Mighty Clarets as your Premier League Club and may you have a long association with all things Burnley FC!
UTC!

[CaptJohn]

Do you have a Burnley sticker on your bin, and Burnley gnomes in your garden??

If so we always stop and look at your house as we go to Martin Mere.

I think that WoodleyClaret now lives in Reading as I've seen him down there on my visits.

[Healeywoodclaret]

Never lived in Burnley...
Lived over the border in Yorkshire all my life,Burnley is the closest pro team to us and my Dad is a lifelong Claret who took me to my first game in the 80's.

Proud to be a Yorkshire Claret but the many dirty Weeds fans I know around here can't grasp why

Many Weedss Fans sadly lacking grey matter and don't usually grasp much!

[Healeywoodclaret]

I grew up outside of Cleveland. Can't stand the Steelers.
I also can't stand Michigan.
Now in North Carolina, its Duke and UNC which I can't stand

Its actually funny though, because I believe I have gone "Full Claret" with my hatred of Blackburn.
Hatred might be too strong of a word, but I'm certainly taking a small satisfaction on their recent demise these last few years.

I worked in Blackburn 1995 to 2006 and boy did I take some sh*t! I no longer live in Lancashire living a couple of hundred miles away in deepest Northumberland and strangely had quite a few friends in Blackburn but I can't give them the same stick back coz I never see them nowadays. Still I'm really enjoying their monumental slide. How the mighty fall!

[Healeywoodclaret]

CT After the dark days of the 4th division every result is for the Clarets who are no longer with us.
My dad(Also passed) never thought we would be back.
And like you have said a superb thread.
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My dad passed January 2009. I don't mind admitting I cried like a baby when we scored against Sheffield United at Wemley in May that year. I felt him with us watching that superb Wade Elliott goal. My dad always said Burnley will never make the big time again in my lifetime. He just missed it. And every time we get a great result I think " you'd be loving this Dad!"

[Healeywoodclaret]

I support Burnley because I was born and grew up in Burnley...
It seems really odd to me that someone would choose to support another club instead of the team where they were born and grew up, unless the place they were born didn't have their own football team...then I would understand it! but if that was me I'd still pick the closest team to that location...
As a kid I only lived half a mile from Turf Moor and could hear the roar of the Longside on match days that used to make my hair stand on end....I couldn't wait until was old enough to where my mum would let me go on the Turf for the first time!!!! I fell in love immediately and never looked back! I miss the days of the Longside....it's ok in the newer seated Longside....but it doesn't compare to standing in the proper Longside all crammed in, songs echoing, um ba ba, No Ney Never, let's go f#cking mental, Ten men went to sh1t.....it was something special and I'm glad I grew up with it!

That was the thing about growing up in Burnley, the kids only ever wore claret and blue shirts, even in the bad old days when we were sh*te. Which is how it should be!
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