Dany Robson gives her view of the Clarets tour of the Isle of Man.
SUNDAY JULY 22
THE plane over was only about 12 seater and was a bit jumpy but I musn't complain after hearing about how much drinking I would have had to have done if I had taken the ferry!
I checked into my hotel -- a very nice little number on the promenade -- and then made my way to the National Sports Centre in Douglas.
There was only about 20 people there when I arrived but the Claret and Blue shirts descended on the turnstile as Burnley prepared for their opening game against Wrexham.
Burnley manager Stan Ternent played a strong line-up with none of the new boys or trialists on initial show. A Gareth Taylor header followed by a late Steve Davis goal from a corner gave the Clarets a 2-0 win in the early evening sunshine.
But the main talking point was 'Where was Stan?" The Burnley boss had been spotted in the afternoon on the island but wasn't visible at the match.
A rumour of a new signing spread round the crowd like wildfire and 'Dimitri Papadopoulos' name was the one -- if they could say it -- on everyone's lips!
MONDAY JULY 23
THE fans were pleased to be able to question the players on their own in a "Fans meet Players" afternoon organised by the club at the Empress Hotel on the promenade.
Paul Weller chatted to his friends from the Accrington Clarets, Steve Davis did the rounds as the skipper as did Glen Little, Graham Branch and co.
Nik 'the Greek' Michopoulos was the player most in demand for autographs and photographs and he dutifully obliged -- and never stopped smiling. That could be cos he is a happy chap or because he accidentally took a swig of a Bacardi Breezer thinking it was orange juice!
The fans were pleased with the response they got from the lads and two lady supporters were still swooning after meeting their dream men -- Davis and Branch.
And I got to meet the famous "Dave Burnley", the Clarets fan who has changed his name to the side he loves and has never missed a Burnley game, home or away, friendly, league or cup in around 30 years (apologies to Dave if it is more than that!)
Once the players left, some of the fans were chatting about their exploits from last night and said they had paid a visit to the 'Rovers Return' -- the pub owned by a Blackburn Rovers fan who sponsors Damien Duff.
There was no problem with the Clarets invasion -- apart from Clarets flags being put over the Rovers memorabilia -- and the owner probably had the last laugh with plenty of Burnley fans buying drinks in his pub. It was all in good spirit!
TUESDAY JULY 24
I WENT to watch a light training session at Peel Football Club as the lads prepared for the Isle of Man clash at Ramsey that night
About ten Clarets fans walked into the match with 'Dingles on Tour' t-shirts on, printed out there after their trip to the Rovers pub.
Dimitri had, in fact signed, and warmed up with Sam Ellis and watched the game with Nik. It wasn't a classic with a difficult pitch but the trialists got a run out and the 1-0 victory was a relief after last year's loss to the Manx side.
Andy Payton scored the goal from Alan Moore's cross.
WEDNESDAY JULY 25
I GOT a glimpse of Oldham's preparations for facing Burnley that night -- a game of rugby on the beach! Certainly different. They were staying in a hotel on the promenade, as were Wrexham and they tended to be spotted roaming around quite a bit.
Burnley were staying about 20 minutes away near the airport so they were more restricted.
The game was at the Bowl in Douglas -- next door to the NSC -- and there was a lot of singing from the Burnley fans as they got off the coach and entered the ground.
The two gaffers Andy Ritchie and Stan Ternent had a nice chat before the game and were joined by Clarets chairman Barry Kilby and Director Clive Holt who had come over especially for the match.
The game ended 1-1 and then there was utter confusion. What happens next? No one seemed to know until the referee pointed to penalties. The Burnley fans clambered to get behind the goal that the spot kicks were being taken at but had to watch as Kevin Ball missed the vital one to give Oldham the 6-5 penalty win.
So who was in the final? More confusion until, with both Oldham and Burnley on six points and Wrexham also only able to get six points if they defeated the Isle of Man tomorrow night, the Clarets sealed a final spot on goal difference.
THURSDAY JULY 26
I WALKED past Sam's Bar in Douglas at 1.30pm with a chorus of "No, Nay, Never" belting out -- and a host of Claret and Blue backs to the window.
It was a nice day so there was some sitting on the beach and chilling out and for me, recovering after a hectic night in the casino the night before. No money won, though.
The Burnley management were nice enough to take some of us out for a meal at night in Castletown and at 9.15pm we got the call that Wrexham -- who needed to beat the Isle of Man 4-0 to face Burnley in the final -- had unbelievably won 5-0 so it was another clash with Brian Flynn's side.
FRIDAY JULY 27
ANOTHER day of wandering as life in the Isle of Man did begin to take it's toll. There wasn't too much to do on the island expect wander up and down the promenade or do a bit of shopping but it was quite easy to exhaust the shops.
SATURDAY, JULY 28
THE day of the final -- and the day for going home. Most fans were leaving on the ferry that night, which would depart the Isle of Man at 8pm and take around four hours. It was thought there would be in the region of 500 fans on that trip.
Most supporters spent the morning walking around, having their last look at the town and waiting for the 2.30 final. And most, including me, were ready to go home after some hectic nights on the town and some hectic days recovering -- and work as well!
Wrexham did look more desperate to win, forcing the pressure in the late stages and the Burnley fans weren't too devastated when the 90th minute goal went it although penalties would have added some excitement.
They got to run onto the pitch, shake their heroes hands and some of them were lucky enough to get the players' medals as a memory of their trip.
The Clarets players then got on their coach to go home -- flying back to Manchester for a day with their families -- as the countdown continued to the start of the season.
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