Burnley fans at Accrington last season

Well, the World Cup isn’t even over and we’re already into pre-season with our first game away at Accy Stanley. The Stanley friendlies have become something of an annual event in recent years with Burnley reverting from taking reserve teams to more recently taking the first team to play the now Football League outfit.

It does tend to be a good day out for Burnley fans, with a good Burnley away following guaranteed and a chance for the travelling Clarets to catch a glimpse of the new signings. Last season, the Burnley supporters who didn’t get the chance to travel the long distance to Cheltenham were given the opportunity to have a first look at new signings Wayne Thomas, Wade Elliott, Gifton Noel-Williams and a substitute appearance from other new boy, Garreth O’Connor.

The Clarets won 3-0 that day and Wade Elliott was particularly impressive, capping a good performance with a cracking goal. This was after the Clarets had been put into a 2-0 lead through John McGreal and Graham Di Branchio.

As we arrived at the ground the tannoy announced that a certain Artim Sakiri would be playing for the Clarets on trial, and despite Burnley FC later stating that Sakiri had signed, a work permit was then turned down. Burnley fans though could also take heart from the link-up play of Ade Akinbiyi and Gifton Noel-Williams that night, although as we know know, the partnership never really took off.

So, off we go again, and this time a Saturday afternoon out in Accy, with the chance to have a look at this season’s new signings Steve Jones and Stephen Foster. If you fancy having a drink with some of the Longside messageboard posters, check out the Pub Guide section, and let’s not forget to give the old classic ‘Um ba ba’ a good airing.

See you there!