FANS of Burnley and Blackburn Rovers joined forces today to accuse fixture planners of creating a potential flashpoint on the opening day of the season.

While Rovers fans will be looking forward to a home clash against Crystal Palace on August 12, hundreds of Clarets supporters will be travelling by train for the match against Bolton.

Fans from both clubs expressed concern that trouble could break out in Blackburn town centre -- because Burnley fans will get off at the town's railway station before catching a train to Bolton.

Today both Blackburn and Burnley Supporters' Clubs called for one of the fixtures to be switched to another day because of the "potential flashpoint" at the station and town centre in Blackburn.

And Burnley MP Peter Pike, a lifelong Clarets fan, said special trains should be provided to run directly from Burnley to the Reebok Stadium in Bolton. He also suggested that the kick off times should be staggered.

Last season trouble flared at the Adelphi pub in Blackburn town centre when Rovers fans attacked rival supporters whom they believed to be Burnley fans.

Sean Borman, president of Burnley Supporters' Club, said the group was considering writing to the Football League to call for the fixture change.

He said: "A small group of Burnley fans caused trouble on away trips to places like Oxford, Preston and Millwall last season and I think there will be big trouble in and around Blackburn Railway Station -- especially because the Bolton game is a derby match.There will be hundreds of Burnley fans travelling by train and there is a potential flashpoint at the station and in the town centre because they will have to change trains.

"One of the fixtures should be switched. It is only common sense."

Pauline Perkins, secretary of Blackburn Rovers Supporters' Club, said: "There will be a lot of Rovers fans in the town centre and there will probably be trouble. We would urge the Football League to switch one of the fixtures to avoid trouble."

Football League spokesman John Nagle said: "When compiling the fixtures we consulted Lancashire Police and they were satisfied that the games should go ahead."

He said the fixture list was provisional and was subject to change. Matches could be moved for television purposes or if there were police objections.

Blackburn-based Police Inspector Stuart Caley, who is in charge of football, events and planning, refused to comment on the specific games.

But he said: "At the end of last season, in association with Blackburn Rovers, we made certain representations with a view to how the fixtures should be planned.

"The fixture list was published yesterday with a covering letter saying that if there were particular concerns about any of the fixtures the clubs should consult with the police and make representations by next Thursday."

Cathy Pickup, secretary of Burnley Football Club, said: "Clubs have got until Thursday to make representations to the league so I am sure discussions will take place."

Robert Coar, chairman of Blackburn Rovers, said: "We would have to take a view on any sensible situations that are brought to our attention."

A spokesman for North Western Trains said the company was looking at what action it could take.

A British Transport Police spokesman said they would be liasing with train companies and would make recommendations if required.

In March, 1992, a train carrying Burnley fans from Bolton was ambushed at Darwen station by more than 50 Rovers supporters who had watched their team play Cambridge at Ewood.

Bricks and bottles were thrown at the carriages and some Burnley fans jumped from the train to challenge their attackers. The train was again pelted with bricks at Highercroft Bridges.

When the train arrived at Blackburn station trouble was caused when the Clarets fans alighted from the carriages.