Burnley vs Blackburn Rovers: The Lancastrian derby that sets East Lancashire alight.

This fixture has a very special place in my heart, and in fact, I think it is one of the best derbies in the whole country, it’s a proper rivalry, and it is one that I have been lucky to watch a number of times.
Burnley and Blackburn Rovers, two teams separated by just 10 miles, square off in one of the most fiercely contested derbies in English football. The Lancastrian derby, as it is known, is a clash of two proud and historic clubs with a deep-rooted animosity that dates back to the late 19th century.
The rivalry between Burnley and Blackburn Rovers is one of the oldest in English football. The two clubs first met in 1888, and their rivalry has been played out in some of the most iconic stadiums in the country, including Ewood Park, Turf Moor, and Old Trafford.
It was actually my dad who introduced me to football, and he took me to my first Burnley game when they were at Turf Moor stadium and playing in the old first division, the top tier of English football at the time. I’m not sure I even knew what was going on at the time, but the atmosphere was something else.
The crowd was so loud, and the tension was unreal. I remember thinking that this was the greatest thing I had ever seen. Of course, at the time, I had no idea that this was just a tiny taste of the storied rivalry between these two clubs.
I was hooked, and I started going to as many Burnley games as I could. I even started playing football myself, and I dreamed of one day playing in the Lancastrian derby.
My dream never came true, but I still love watching Burnley play. I especially love watching them play against Blackburn Rovers. The atmosphere is always electric, and the fans are always passionate.
The match between the two most famous Lancashire clubs is steeped in a rich history, and has been going on for over a century, with the first match played in November 1888, a 4-1 win for Burnley at Turf Moor.
It could be said that the feud began the following year when Rovers recorded a 5-1 victory at home, and things got so heated in the return match that Rovers captain, Bob Holmes, was initially suspended but then later cleared of any wrongdoing.
During the 20th century, the two teams were largely evenly matched, and Blackburn went on to win the league title in 1912 and 1914, whilst Burnley won in 1921 and 1960, and the rivalry intensified in the late 1950s when they were fierce competitors in the old first division, the top tier of English football at the time, and also competed for places in numerous cup semi-finals and finals.
Siding with either side in East Lancashire is like choosing which side of the family you want to sit with at Christmas, it can cause serious problems, and it’s a decision that you have to stick with.
In the modern era, the two teams have not always been in the same division, but the rivalry has remained as fierce as ever. I remember one match in particular, it was a few years ago, and Burnley had just been relegated from the Premier League. Blackburn were still in the Premier League at the time, but they were struggling.
The match was played at Turf Moor, and the atmosphere was incredible. Burnley won the match 3-0, and the fans were ecstatic. It was one of the most memorable matches I have ever seen.
It’s so interesting how local derbies can create such a strong connection and sense of pride in your club. I’m a fervent Burnley fan myself, and although I am biased, I really do believe that this fixture is one of the fiercest in the English football calendar and is as raw, passionate and uncut as any you will see.
The Lancastrian derby is more than just a football match. It is a clash of two communities, two cultures, and two ways of life. It is a match that is steeped in history, passion, and pride.
The Lancastrian derby is one of the best rivalries in English football. It is a match that I always look forward to, and it is a match that I will never forget.