This season's English Premier League schedule consist of what is the oldest derby currently in the top flight of English football. The East Lancashire Derby was first played in the football league on November 3rd, 1888 at Turf Moor. The reverse fixture was played at Ewood Park. Let's think about this for a moment. These two clubs are fierce football rivals in the rugby part of the country. Ewood Park on most weekends is half empty because everyone is down at their local rugby ground. At a capacity of close to 32,000 the average attendance for Rovers' matches last season was just under 25,000. You can bet that the Ewood Park will be filled to the brim for the derby. We wonder why this doesn't apply to Burnley. This is because the stadium fits the city. These people have been waiting years for the Premier League. Every week it's jammed-packed.
Getting down to the deatils here. We've got two of the oldest clubs and founding members of the Football League. Both clubs are back in the top flight but both have had a rough start to their seasons with Blackburn getting just 4 points from their opening 4 fixtures, while Burnley have been getting hammered with games against the top five from last year and getting 6 points from their first 5 games.
I have always had a soft spot for the old clubs who can turn back a look in to their past glory days. These two clubs fit that bill perfectly. I'd hate to be a Lancashire rugby side on derby day because the rugby grounds will be empty because everyone will be at either Ewood Park or Turf Moor.
Personally, I can't wait for this match to see a great atmoshpere in these two grand old grounds.
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