By Longsider
July 6 2004

We can now bring you details of the proposed 5-a-side match that will be held on 7th August as part of the launch of the Supporters Trust.

This close season has been busier than ever for a group of dedicated Burnley F.C. fans who have been working towards the launch of the Clarets Trust. The new supporters’ organisation will be unveiled on the opening day of the new Coca-Cola League season with an event no genuine Claret would dream of missing.

Fans can bid for a place in a 5-a-side team to compete against a team of ex-Clarets at the Turf Moor Leisure Centre. The game will be held on the evening of Saturday 7 August kicking off at 6.30 p.m. and is part of the official launch event.

The match will be 15 minutes each way with the supporters’ team changing at half time with five substitutes coming on. Team places will be won by a bidding process with all funds going to the newly formed Trust. Bids can be received from now until the closing date of Monday 2 August, after which those who have won places, by being the ten highest bidders, will be notified.

Fans wanting to be one of the lucky players should send their bid, including their name, full address, telephone number and email address (where applicable) to claretstrust@ntlworld.com or to the postal address which is:

Clarets Trust

PO Box 1960

Sports Desk

Burnley Express

Bull Street

Burnley

BB11 1DP

Please also specify whether you are bidding for one of the two goalkeeper positions.

Tony Scholes, Clarets Trust Chair, says, “We are delighted to announce the launch event of the Clarets Trust. We are sure that many fans will want to bid for the chance to play against some of their former footballing heroes, especially as it’s in the name of a good cause.

 “The Trust has been a long time in the planning and there is still a long way to go but this is a forum for real fans to make a genuine difference to the future of their club. We all know the difficulties the Club has faced in the last couple of years and the formation of the Trust is a significant step towards ensuring the long-term future of the Club.

“We hope that fans will show as much enthusiasm for supporting the Trust as the Club has and that they will turn out in numbers for the launch event and sign up as members.”

Besides the 5-a-side match there will be an official launch event taking place in the James Hargreaves Suite including appearances from ex-Clarets and fans will have the chance to sign up for the Trust. More details will appear via the local media and web sites as they are confirmed.