ARTICLE: We’re Just a Small Town in Europe

[ClaretTony]

Everyone really enjoyed the report from Pete Waters from Istanbul and the link below takes you to his report from our game at Olympiacos last Thursday.

Enjoy the read.

http://www.uptheclarets.com/were-just-a ... -in-europe" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[tybfc]

Brilliant summary

[ClaretTony]

It's excellent ty - hope you had a good journey home btw

[CleggHall]

An excellent report which well and truly creates/describes the atmosphere, great writing.

[Rodleydave]

Superb

[ClaretTony]

I'm just hoping there will be some more trips to Pete to report on

[Rumbletonk]

"Only pausing to sip their gin and tonic" that made me chuckle. Good read

[bfcjg]

When you don't go to a game but read something as good as this you really can get a taste of the experience. Cheers.

[turfytopper]

Brilliant Pete.. Many thanks

[Burnleybabe]

Brilliant, mind you the Supermarket across the road did a roaring trade as many fans bought their beers there.
And we did have beers bought by the directors.
What an experience, I will never forget it.

[tybfc]

It's excellent ty - hope you had a good journey home btw

We were home for yesterday tea time thanks Tony although all four legs of Swiss flights from Manchester - Zurich - Athens and back were delayed.

But as Burnleybabe says it's an experience I will never, ever forget.

[Longsider]

Enjoyed that. Felt like I was back there again.

[bfcmik]

Fantastic experience. Loved the atmosphere on the ground, the Olympiacos fans had a limited repertoire but were extremely well practiced at it. my son said they sounded far louder on TV than I thought they were on the night. Maybe I was drunker than I thought or just deafened by the very drunk Burnley fans around me
The coaches ran a bit earlier than necessary in my view - but whether they would have been able to get as many fans on them as they did if there had been another hour drinking time is anyone's guess. The after game lock in was crazy with no access to the toilets or refreshment kiosk and the Greek copper I spoke to said this was a short hold. For many games it is over an hour before release. The route for the coaches was strange given that there was a left turn that the coaches needed 2, 3 or even 4 manoeuvres to get round - and then they dropped us at Constitution square in the city centre rather than where they had picked us up.

[Goodclaret]

That was a fantastic read.

I only got back home about 4 hours ago but I am still buzzing from the Thursday. The whole day was just amazing. Friendly bars, some good old fashioned Burnley singing then the slight lull in getting to the game. Being in an empty stadium for so long could drain most fans but not our lot - we seemed to sing/chant/scream for four hours we were in there. It went a little quiet after the 3rd goal/sending off but then erupted again.

The 15 minute chant of "We are the Longside, Burnley" leading to the start of the game and again at the end was spine tingling and I genuinely just looked around taking it all in. Talk about goosebumps and a wee tear in the eye but it fit perfectly.

As some have said above it will be something I will never, ever forget. I went with my 20 and 17 year old sons. I feel privileged to have spent this special occasion with them both and we have just created one of our biggest Burnley memories.

I truly hope we get through on Thursday but, if we don't, I have been lucky enough to be a part of something unbelievable.

Up the amazing European Clarets!

[PWBFC]

Thanks for all the nice comments. It was a pleasure to write on what was another excellent experience and hopefully we can keep it going a little while longer.
The piece will also be in the matchday programme next Thursday.

[cold claret]

Well done, Hope you can write another fantastic report from some where else we play in Europe