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Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.00
Turf Moor
Harry Potts Way
Burnley, England BB10 4BX
Year Opened: 1883 Capacity: 22,546
Grounds for the Ages in Burnley
Burnley has occupied its ground since 1883 and holds the record for the longest period in one place in England. When it first opened it was home to an 800-capacity grandstand and served as the home venue for Burnley Rovers FC. The plot of land was first occupied by Burnley’s cricket club in 1833.
It would not be until after World War II that the ground began to develop in its classic look featuring four distinctive stands. The Longside was constructed by members of Burnley’s Youth team in 1954 and housed both home and away supporters. It was during this time that the venue developed its classic British look.
Burnley demolished its terrace sections after the Taylor Report came out in 1990 and within six years converted the ground into an all-seater that includes the T is comprised of four sections: The James Hargeaves Stand (North), The Jimmy Mcilroy Stand (East), The Bob Lord Stand (South) and the David Fishwick Stand (West).
Food & Beverage 3
As normal in the North of England, the pies are highly recommended when served hot. The concourse features an array of snacks and drinks that are below the average price in English Football but it should be noted that there are no cash points at any of the concourse or kiosks.
Sausage rolls, pies (£3), hot dogs (£2.70), and confectionery are affordable. Drinks include lagers, hot drinks, and soft drinks from Coca-Cola and 7up. Value meals include a beer and pie for £5.70. Or a beer and a snack for £4. There is also a meal deal which includes a soft drink, a party or hotdogs, and a snack for £5–£9 when you double that for two people.
Atmosphere 3
The stadium is half a mixture of old and new and further redevelopment is expected shortly. Currently, the stadium has an all-seated capacity of 22,546, and views from both of the newer stands are excellent. Depending on where you sit in the older stands your view may be slightly obstructed by stanchions that support the stand roof. This is a common problem with older British stadiums.
Like most British soccer stadiums the move from terracing to all-seated stadiums has slightly affected the atmosphere and Turf Moor is not the hostile place that it once was in the ’60s and ’70s. Away fans who make the trip to Turf Moor are housed within the David Fishwick Stand However when full, which it mostly was when Burnley was in the Premier League last season, the home support quickly becomes the 12th man, and a visit to Turf Moor was feared by the bigger clubs.
The Clarets store has been newly refurbished and provides a retail outlet to both home and visitor supporters that stays open for an hour after the final whistle. The store features a wide selection of merchandise and paraphernalia and its look has been upgraded to make it stand out on the exterior of the grounds.
Neighborhood 3
Burnley is a typical Lancashire Mill Town set in the heart of the Pennines and although not high on the tourist hit list this area of England is well worth a visit if you have time. The town is surrounded by rolling hills ideal for hill walkers. It is nice in the summer, but subject to cold weather and snow during the winter months.
The Town Centre has a small shopping complex that will occupy you for a couple of hours maximum. The avid shoppers in this area tend to head to Manchester or Preston for the larger shopping malls. Oswaldtwistle Mills located in Accrington a couple of miles away offers mill stores and shopping outlets which are a welcome change to the normal high street.
If you prefer to digest your pre-match food and drink before you enter a stadium then there is not much choice directly outside of the stadium. Burnley Town Centre offers the normal choice of English fish & chip shops, coffee bars, fast food outlets, and low-key restaurants. Home and away supporters tend to drink at Burnley Cricket Club located next to the stadium where the local beer can be sampled both inside and outside of the club in a relaxed atmosphere.
Fans 3
Burnley supporters are an honest bunch and the locals are always happy to assist if you require directions. The club has always kept a hardcore support of twelve to fifteen thousand for each home game even when they were struggling in the lower reaches of the Football League some fifteen years ago and at one point were within minutes of being relegated to non-league football.
Fortunately, the club has climbed back up the divisions cumulating with a return to the top level of the English game in 2010. Their stay, however, was brief and at the time of writing, Burnley has an outside chance of reaching the Championship Playoffs. Local rivals are Blackburn Rovers, Preston North End, and Bolton Wanderers. The famous Accrington Stanley from the lower reaches of English League football is located a mere few miles away.
Access 3
The stadium is reached by accessing the M65 Motorway at Junction 10 and following signs to Towney Hall, which will take you directly past the stadium. Town Centre car parks are within a ten-minute walk however parking at Burnley Cricket Club priced at £5 is value for the money. Both Burnley Central and Manchester Road Railway Stations are a twenty and fifteen minutes walk away respectively. Manchester Airport is approximately forty-five minutes drive from Burnley with good connections for public transport.
Most of the surrounding streets have parking restrictions on matchday but various car lots range in price from £3-£5. It is advised to arrive early to make sure got a spot is secure before the match. The nearest station is Burnley Manchester Road which is a short walk to the stadium. The bus station is relatively close but does require a short walk to the grounds.
Return on Investment 3
General admission prices begin at £30 for adults with concessions for those under 16’s and O.A.P’s are the norm for the English Championship and provide good value compared to the Premier League. For the older soccer supporter, a visit to Burnley is always most welcome.
Extras 3
Burnley like all clubs have a supporters club shop selling replica shirts and other memorabilia. A match day program is widely available for the price of £3. Turf Moor is also the first football ground to be visited by a member of the British Royal Family when Prince Albert made a stop in 1886.
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