Post by brookes88 on Dec 9, 2010 22:46:28 GMT 6
Burnley v Leeds United set for Turf Moor sell-out
BURNLEY chief executive Paul Fletcher is anticipating the biggest and best atmosphere at Turf Moor since bowing out of the Premier League in Saturday’s trans-Pennine derby.
The Clarets host Leeds United in a league game for the first time in almost four years, after the Yorkshire club ended a three-season spell in League One with automatic promotion last term.
The War of the Roses clash always attracts the crowds, and this weekend’s will be no different as the visitors have already sold out their 4,000 allocation in the David Fishwick (Cricket Field) Stand, with an overall total of 18,500 tickets sold to date and a sell-out a strong possibility.
And Fletcher hopes the Clarets faithful can roar Brian Laws’ men to another important home win, to leapfrog Leeds and climb back into the top six.
“We’ve always had big games against Leeds, and this will be the best atmosphere of the season,” said the former Burnley striker.
“There has always been great rivalry between the fans, and I think there always will be because of the Lancashire-Yorkshire divide.
“In terms of the Championship as well, Leeds are up there with us and we are fighting for those places towards the top of the table.
“But we need a good Christmas. Traditionally we’ve not done too well at this time of year, but we need to go into 2011 strong and in a good position to push on in the New Year.”
And he warned any Burnley fans who were waiting to buy tickets not to put it off for too long.
“Anyone who turns up on the day might be disappointed. There might not be any available by the time we get to tomorrow,” added Fletcher, who scored in a 2-1 win over Leeds the day that then Prime Minister Ted Heath opened the Bob Lord Stand in 1974.
“They were very dirty games against Leeds in the 70s. I suppose that’s where their nickname of ‘Dirty Leeds’ came from.
“You knew any game against Leeds was a battle, and you’d often come off the field with a broken nose or burst lip because they were always physical games.
"Even before kick-off their manager, Don Revie, would get his players to wind you up and tempt a fight by spitting at you or standing on your foot in the dug-out.
“It’s not like that these days, but I still expect a passionate and highly charged game this weekend.”
And Fletcher assured supporters that, after having last weekend’s trip to Portsmouth postponed because of the weather, this crunch clash was not at risk thanks to undersoil heating and four ultra violet lamps at work on the Turf Moor pitch.
“The grass is growing,” said Fletcher, “and the surrounding areas are in our own hands.”
SOURCE:Lanc Telegraph
BURNLEY chief executive Paul Fletcher is anticipating the biggest and best atmosphere at Turf Moor since bowing out of the Premier League in Saturday’s trans-Pennine derby.
The Clarets host Leeds United in a league game for the first time in almost four years, after the Yorkshire club ended a three-season spell in League One with automatic promotion last term.
The War of the Roses clash always attracts the crowds, and this weekend’s will be no different as the visitors have already sold out their 4,000 allocation in the David Fishwick (Cricket Field) Stand, with an overall total of 18,500 tickets sold to date and a sell-out a strong possibility.
And Fletcher hopes the Clarets faithful can roar Brian Laws’ men to another important home win, to leapfrog Leeds and climb back into the top six.
“We’ve always had big games against Leeds, and this will be the best atmosphere of the season,” said the former Burnley striker.
“There has always been great rivalry between the fans, and I think there always will be because of the Lancashire-Yorkshire divide.
“In terms of the Championship as well, Leeds are up there with us and we are fighting for those places towards the top of the table.
“But we need a good Christmas. Traditionally we’ve not done too well at this time of year, but we need to go into 2011 strong and in a good position to push on in the New Year.”
And he warned any Burnley fans who were waiting to buy tickets not to put it off for too long.
“Anyone who turns up on the day might be disappointed. There might not be any available by the time we get to tomorrow,” added Fletcher, who scored in a 2-1 win over Leeds the day that then Prime Minister Ted Heath opened the Bob Lord Stand in 1974.
“They were very dirty games against Leeds in the 70s. I suppose that’s where their nickname of ‘Dirty Leeds’ came from.
“You knew any game against Leeds was a battle, and you’d often come off the field with a broken nose or burst lip because they were always physical games.
"Even before kick-off their manager, Don Revie, would get his players to wind you up and tempt a fight by spitting at you or standing on your foot in the dug-out.
“It’s not like that these days, but I still expect a passionate and highly charged game this weekend.”
And Fletcher assured supporters that, after having last weekend’s trip to Portsmouth postponed because of the weather, this crunch clash was not at risk thanks to undersoil heating and four ultra violet lamps at work on the Turf Moor pitch.
“The grass is growing,” said Fletcher, “and the surrounding areas are in our own hands.”
SOURCE:Lanc Telegraph