Burnley FC – Newcastle United FC 30-10-2017
Date: 30-10-2017
Game: Burnley FC - Newcastle United 1-0 (0-0 HT)
Competition: Premier League, England
Stadium: Turf Moor, Burnley
Attendance: 21.031
Ticket: £40.00
Finally another game after my last game dates back to April 2015, as I visited Watford - Middlesbrough by bus back then. Burnley FC hosted Newcastle United in an early battle for a Europa League spot. Arriving in Manchester at 5, I managed to be just in time at the ground after taking a train trip from the airport which included 3 changes..
At Turf Moor 2 beautiful floodlights towered over the stand in which we would take place. The ground, which is an 21.800 all-seater, was built in 1883 but has been renovated a few times. Still, the club has been playing in the same stadium since 1883. Only their Lancashire rivals Preston North End are occupying the same ground continuously for a longer time. In 1886 the ground also became the first English ground to be visited by a member of the British Royal Family. The ground also still includes 2 stands with beautiful wooden seats, which are actually much more enjoyable than most of the new uncomfortable back pain causing seats.
Burnley FC was founded in May 1882 and became champions of England twice; in 1921 and in 1960. The club also won the FA Cup once (1914) and participated in 12 European games over 2 seasons, meeting teams like Stade de Reims, Hamburger SV, VfB Stuttgart and SSC Napoli, and reaching the quarter-finals of the European cup in 1961. Along with Portsmouth, Wolverhampton Wanderers, Sheffield United and Preston North End, Burnley FC are one of only five teams to have won all top four professional divisions of English football.
In today's game against Newcastle United the visitors were very loud and created a good atmosphere. With Steven Defour on the pitch I was sure I wasn't the only Belgian in Burnley this night. After the visitors were more dangerous during the 1st half, Burnley took over the game and played much better during the 2nd half, which resulted in a goal with only 15 more minutes to go. They never really got in trouble and managed to keep the 3 points at home.
