Burnley FC is a professional football club from England, which is located in the town of Burnley, Lancashire. The club was founded in 1882 and plays its home matches at Turf Moor, which has a capacity of over 21,000 spectators.
The Football Manager is currently: Vincent Kompany
Burnley has a long and proud history, having won the Football League First Division twice, the FA Cup once, and the Community Shield twice. The club’s nickname is the Clarets, which derives from the colour of their home kit. Burnley has a reputation for being a well-run and financially stable club, which has helped them to establish themselves as a regular presence in the English Premier League in recent years.
A Brief History of Burnley Football Club
Burnley Football Club was established back in 1882 in the town of Burnley, Lancashire, England. The club was created by a group of people who were part of the local Rugby club named Burnley Rovers. They wanted to stay active during the winter months and decided to start playing football. The club played its first-ever match in the same year against Burnley Wanderers, a local team, and won the match with a score of 4-0.
Just a year after its formation, Burnley FC won its first-ever silverware, the Dr Dean’s Cup, in 1883. This cup was named after Dr. Thomas Dean, who was a popular physician and also the President of the Burnley Football Club at that time. The competition was open to all amateur football clubs in the Burnley area and was held on a knockout basis. Burnley FC participated in the cup during their first season and managed to defeat several local clubs.
The victory in the Dr Dean’s Cup marked the beginning of a successful period for Burnley FC, as they went on to win several other trophies in the following years, including the Burnley Challenge Cup and the Lancashire Senior Cup. Towards the end of the year 1882, Burnley FC decided to become a professional club and signed several Scottish players.
Brief Stint with British Football Association
Burnley FC refused to become a member of the Football Association (FA) and participate in the FA Cup, because the association prohibited professional players from participating in football matches, including the FA Cup. Burnley and other professional clubs were dissatisfied with this situation and believed that it was time for a change. In 1884, Burnley FC took the lead in forming a breakaway organization called the British Football Association (BFA) along with 35 other clubs. The aim of the BFA was to challenge the authority and supremacy of the Football Association.
The BFA initially attracted 35 football clubs, including a number of prominent teams from across England and Scotland. However, the organization struggled to gain widespread support and recognition, and it ultimately failed to pose a serious threat to the FA’s dominance. In the end, Burnley and other professional clubs had to wait until 1885, when the Football Association finally lifted its ban on professional players. This allowed Burnley and other professional clubs to join the FA and compete in the FA Cup for the first time. Have you ever wondered what the Aston Villa FC nickname is or the Fulham nickname is, find out with our dedicated club pages.
Founding Member of the Football League
Burnley Football Club was one of the twelve original members of the Football League when it was formed in 1888-89. The other founding members were Aston Villa, Blackburn Rovers, Bolton Wanderers, Derby County, Everton 24/7, Notts County, Preston North End, Stoke City, West Bromwich 24/7, Wolves 24 7, and the original incarnation of Accrington. In the early years of the Football League, Burnley was a solid mid-table team, never finishing higher than fourth place in the league until 1913-14.
Burnley’s first season in the league was successful, as they finished in ninth place out of twelve teams. Scottish striker William Tait scored a hat-trick in Burnley’s second league match, a 4-3 victory over Bolton Wanderers on September 15, 1888. Tait’s hat trick was still a notable achievement, and it helped Burnley secure their first-ever win in the Football League. They went on to win the league championship twice, in 1920-21 and 1959-60. Today, Burnley FC remains an important and historic club in English football.
Lancashire Cup Glory: A Historic Triumph
Burnley FC won their first Lancashire Cup in the 1889-90 season, which was a significant achievement for the club at the time. The Lancashire Cup was a regional football competition that was contested by teams from the Lancashire area. The competition was first held in the 1879-80 season, and Burnley participated in the tournament from its inception.
In the 1889-90 season, Burnley made it to the final of the competition and faced off against Blackburn Rovers FC. The final was played on April 26, 1890, at Accrington. The game was a closely contested affair, with both teams playing well and creating chances. However, Burnley managed to score two goals in the second half, with Alec Stewart finding the back of the net to give his side the lead.
The Lancashire Cup victory helped to establish Burnley as a club on the rise, and they went on to enjoy further success in the years that followed. Burnley went on to win the Lancashire Cup twelve more times in their history, the most recent title came in 1992–93. However, their first victory in the competition in the 1889-90 season will always be remembered as a historic moment in the club’s history. Other historical football resource pages such as the Man Utd facts page and the latest Championship transfer news is available in our dedicated resource pages.
First Relegation from the Top Flight
Burnley FC was relegated for the first time from the top flight in 1896-97, it was a setback, but they were able to bounce back quickly by winning the division the following season. Impressively, they only lost two out of thirty matches that season. Promotion to the First Division wasn’t straightforward at that time. Instead, teams had to participate in a four-team playoff series called “test matches.”
Burnley FC was able to emerge as the winners of these matches, securing their promotion to the First Division for the 1898-99 season. Burnley FC’s stay in the top flight was short-lived after their promotion in 1898-99. The club was again relegated in the following season, 1899-1900. Burnley FC’s relegation was due to a variety of factors, such as injuries, poor form, and a lack of depth in the squad.
First FA Cup Success for Burnley FC
In 1914, Burnley FC secured their first FA Cup title in a highly anticipated final against Liverpool. The decisive goal was scored by Bert Freeman in the 57th minute, resulting in a 1-0 victory for Burnley FC. The match took place at Crystal Palace in London and drew a massive crowd of 72,778 spectators. This momentous triumph marked a significant milestone for Burnley FC, as it was their first major trophy and propelled them to greater success in the world of English football.
Burnley FC has reached the FA Cup final two more times. Burnley’s second appearance in the FA Cup final came in 1947, but they lost to Charlton Athletic 1-0. They reached the final again in 1962 but lost to Tottenham Hotspur 3-1. The club has had some memorable moments in the FA Cup, including a 5-1 victory over Aston Villa in 1947 and a 6-1 win over Queens Park Rangers in 1962. The team at Football 24 – 7 were surprised to learn that Burnley had previously won the FA Cup.
Burnley FC’s First Football League Title
After FA Cup victory in 1914, John Haworth took control of Burnley FC, he built a strong squad that included the likes of goalkeeper Jerry Dawson, defender Tommy Boyle, and forwards Bert Freeman and Joe Anderson. In the 1919-20 season, Burnley finished with 51 points, nine points behind champions West Bromwich Albion. Burnley had a solid season, winning 21 of their 42 matches and scoring 65 goals, but ultimately fell nine points short of the title.
The 1920-21 season was a historic one for Burnley FC as they won their first-ever Football League title. The club finished the season with 59 points, five points ahead of their nearest rivals, Manchester City. Burnley’s title success was built on a strong defence, as they conceded just 36 goals in their 42 league matches. At the other end of the pitch, Joe Anderson was the team’s top scorer with 25 goals, while Benny Cross contributed 14. The title success was a remarkable achievement for Burnley, it cemented the club’s place in English football and paved the way for further successes in the years to come. Learn more about this season Premier League winner betting odds with our free guide.
Burnley’s Golden Era
The Golden Era of Burnley FC refers to the period late 1950s and early 1960s when the team achieved significant success both domestically and in Europe. During this time, Burnley won the First Division title in 1959-60, finished runners-up in the 1961-62 season, and reached the quarter-finals of the European Cup in 1960-61. The team was managed by Harry Potts, who had a strong core of players including Jimmy McIlroy, Jimmy Adamson, Brian Miller, and goalkeeper Adam Blacklaw.
The Clarets qualified for the European Cup in the 1960-61 season as English champions, and they faced French club Stade de Reims in the second round. The club won both legs on a 4-3 aggregate and progressed to the quarter-finals. Burnley went on to reach the quarter-finals of the European Cup that season but was knocked out by Hamburger SV of West Germany. Despite their relatively short-lived success in European competition, Burnley’s achievement of reaching the European Cup in 1960-61 remains an important part of their history. The latest SPL results have been updated earlier for our readers to enjoy!
The success of Burnley during this era was significant not only for the team but also for English football as a whole. The team’s style of play and success influenced other teams, and many of the players went on to represent England at the international level. Although Burnley has not achieved the same level of success in recent years, the Golden Era remains an important and celebrated part of the team’s history, and the team continues to strive for success and glory in the modern era.
Premier League Era
During Burnley FC’s initial campaign in the Premier League 2009-10, they encountered difficulties in adapting to the rapid pace and high intensity of the competition. This led to their underwhelming 18th-place finish, which, unfortunately, resulted in their relegation back to the Championship. After a four-year absence, the team was able to secure promotion back to the Premier League for the 2014-15 season. Despite their best efforts, Burnley was unable to maintain their status in the top flight and were relegated once more after just one season.
The club returned to the top flight in 2016-17 after winning the Football League Championship. Since their return, Burnley has established themselves as a solid mid-table team, often finishing in the lower half of the table, but managing to avoid relegation. The Clarets were relegated from the Premier League in the 2020-2021 season, finishing in 17th place, and they are currently playing in the Championship
Burnley FC Rivalries
Burnley FC has a fierce rivalry with Blackburn Rovers, another football club based in Lancashire. This rivalry is known as the East Lancashire Derby and is one of the oldest and most heated rivalries in English football. The rivalry between Burnley and Blackburn is intense, with matches between the two teams often being high-stakes affairs that are fiercely contested by both sets of supporters. The matches are known for their passion and intensity, with both sets of fans bringing a lot of energy to the stands.
In addition to their rivalry with Blackburn Rovers, Burnley also has a more recent rivalry with Preston North End, another club in Lancashire. Overall, the rivalry between Burnley and Blackburn is the most notable and intense, with both clubs and their fans looking forward to the opportunity to face off against each other in what is always a highly charged and passionate match.
Club’s Owner and Net Worth
In December 2020, Velocity Sports Partners, an investment arm of ALK Capital, acquired the majority stake in the club for over $200 million, making it the new owner of the club. Alan Pace, who is the managing partner of ALK Capital, became the chairman of Burnley FC following the acquisition. This marked a significant change in ownership for the club, as it moved from being locally owned to being owned by an international investment firm.
The new ownership has also committed to investing in the club’s infrastructure and facilities, with plans to upgrade and expand the training ground and stadium. The investment is expected to provide a long-term boost to the club’s competitiveness, both on and off the pitch. Why not read about the latest MLS Schedule or thye Liga Nos fixtures?
Interesting Facts About Burnley FC
- Burnley FC is one of the oldest professional football clubs in the world, having been founded in 1882. The club’s first ground was actually a rugby field, and they played their first match against local rival Burnley Wanderers, winning 4-0.
- The club is commonly known as “The Clarets” due to the deep shade of red used in their home kit. The nickname was first used in the early 20th century and has since become synonymous with the club.
- Burnley F.C. was known for their “ballet on grass” style of play in the 1960s. This style of play was characterized by their skilful attacking play, quick passing, and movement on the pitch.
- Burnley F.C. has a long-standing rivalry with Blackburn Rovers, another Lancashire-based club. The rivalry between the two teams dates back over a century and matches between the two sides are known as the “East Lancashire Derby”.
- Burnley Football Club has a mascot that is a bumblebee dressed in a Burnley FC kit. The mascot’s name is Bertie Bee, and has become an endearing and much-loved part of the Burnley FC matchday experience. It is a source of great pride for the club and its followers.
- The club has had several famous managers, including Harry Potts, who led the team to the First Division title in 1960, and Sean Dyche, who has been in charge since 2012 and led the team to European qualification in 2018.
- Jerry Dawson holds the record for the most appearances for Burnley FC, with 569 appearances between 1907 and 1929. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest players to have ever played for Burnley FC.
- George Beel holds the record for the most goals scored for Burnley FC, he scored 188 goals in 337 appearances for the club between 1923 and 1932. Beel also holds the record for the most league goals in a season, he scored 35 goals in the 1927-28 season.
- Burnley FC plays its home games at Turf Moor; the stadium has a seating capacity of slightly over 21,000 people and has been the home ground of Burnley FC since 1883. Interestingly, the site has a rich sporting history, as it was used by Burnley Cricket Club for matches as far back as 1843.
Burnley FC Trophies and Honors
2 First Division Titles – Throughout its history, Burnley FC has achieved two First Division titles. The first title was secured in the 1920-21 season under the guidance of John Haworth, while the second one was attained in the 1959-60 season under the management of Harry Potts.
1 FA Cup – Burnley FC has made it to the FA Cup final three times in their history. They managed to win the tournament once, in the 1913-14 season and finished as runners-up in 1946 and 1962. In their winning year, Burnley defeated Liverpool 1-0 in the final match held at Crystal Palace, with Bert Freeman scoring the winning goal.
2 FA Charity Shield – The Clarets have won the FA Charity Shield twice in their history. They won the shield in 1960 and 1973. In 1960, they faced the FA Cup winners Wolverhampton Wanderers in the Charity Shield match at Turf Moor which was a draw and the shield was shared. In 1973, they faced Manchester City in the match at Maine Road, which they won 1-0.
12 Lancashire Cup – Burnley FC has won the Lancashire Cup 12 times in their history including, 1889–90, 1914–15, 1949–50, 1951–52, 1959–60, 1960–61, 1961–62, 1964–65, 1965–66, 1969–70, 1971–72, and 1992–93
Burnley Football Club
Turf Moor
52-56 Harry Potts Way
Burnley
BB10 4BX
Tel: 01282 446800
The Official Website: https://www.burnleyfootballclub.com/
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