A Burnley business has gained a new celebrity fan as an NFL legend left rave reviews after trying a pie.

Former NFL star JJ Watt tried a pie from Haffners, who recently announced it will be serving baked goods to Clarets’ fans in the Turf Moor fan zone this season.

Haffners’ first night in the fan zone took place on Friday (August 11), when Burnley played Manchester City.

Lancashire Telegraph: JJ and Kealia Watt at Haffners hatch, at Turf Moor's fan zoneJJ and Kealia Watt at Haffners hatch, at Turf Moor's fan zone (Image: Haffners)

The retired American footballer, who invested in Burnley Football Club with his US soccer star wife Kealia this year, was at Turf Moor for the club’s first game of the season on Friday (August 11).

Ted Cockett, Haffners’ managing director, said: “We’d heard rumours that JJ and Kealia would be visiting the fan zone, but we didn’t want to get our hopes up.

“True to their word, there they were and they were so incredibly friendly. My brother and business partner, Dean, went to meet them and they were really keen to come visit our bakery on their next visit.”

Both JJ and Kealia chose meat and potato pies with peas and JJ opted for lashings of Haffners’ own gravy.

Dean said: “I told them we do a great Steak and Claret pie with large chunks of steak and JJ said he couldn’t wait to try one.

“I said we’d bake them a special batch when they’re next over, a mini pie for their child, a medium pie for Kealia and a large chunky pie for JJ - they both loved that idea! 

“They both queued with everybody else and they wouldn’t accept a free pie, they wanted to pay their way. 

“They were a nice couple that are well and truly buying into Burnley.”

JJ confirmed his sentiment about the pies on social media exchanges over the weekend.

In an Instagram story he said Haffners pies were the best’ adding that he will ‘be back for more.’

Lancashire Telegraph: Fans queuing outside Haffners hatch, at Turf Moor's fan zoneFans queuing outside Haffners hatch, at Turf Moor's fan zone (Image: Haffners)

He posted a photo on X, formerly known as Twitter, of a snail dish in what appeared to be a fancy restaurant.

JJ was asked by another social media user if the snails were better or worse than a Haffners pie.

He responded: “Delicious, but if we’re being 100 per cent honest, I prefer the pie. Big guys need substance.”

According to Ted, the new pie hatch went down a storm with Clarets’ fans on Friday night.

Ted said: “Burnley fans are loyal customers who really do get behind everything we do.

“It was a great atmosphere in the fan zone and we look forward to seeing fans at all the home matches throughout the season. Let’s hope for a better football result next time though!”