CLARETS fans around the globe have dropped everything to make sure they don’t miss Burnley taking on Arsenal tonight.

While some supporters have trekked thousands of miles across the world to get to Turf Moor for the Carling Cup quarter final, others have been making arrangements to find somewhere locally showing the match.

Les Banks, who lives in Johannesburg, South Africa, has flown over for the game and will be at Turf Moor with his son and fellow Burnley supporter, Stuart.

Les, 63, said: “Twelve hours after my son suggested it, the flights were booked.

“It’s my granddaughter’s 15th birthday this week, and my son’s birthday next week, so there were two other reasons to come over.

“I really think we have a chance of beating Arsenal and I hope to catch a few more games whilst I’m over here.”

Stuart, 38, of Printers Fold, Burnley, said: “It’s great that my dad has come over.

“He spoke with my mum about the possibility of visiting and he thought he’d throw caution to the wind.

“I wouldn’t like to tempt fate, but after the Chelsea match I think we can pull it off.”

Speaking from South Africa, Stuart’s Mum, Sheila Banks, said: “I think it’s great, I only wish I could be over there with them. Though the weather is a lot better over here!”

One Clarets fan will be outnumbered by Arsenal fans three to one as he settles down to watch the match live in Iraq.

Mark Simpson, 30, a senior aircraftsman in the RAF, will be the first in the helicopter crewroom to get the best seat as three of his pals will be sporting their red and white colours. Mark, a former St Theodore’s RC High School student, who now lives near Oxford, said: “We are three hours ahead in Iraq so I will be grabbing my seat at around 10.30pm.

“I’ll be off shift tomorrow night so whatever is going on here I should be able to watch.

“Usually I have to check the Clarets scores via friends on Facebook which is quicker than the Sky Sports online vidiprinter!”

Other Burnley fans who cannot make the trip home will be watching the game avidly nonetheless.

Martyn Baker lives in Sydney and has managed to find a local pub that is showing the game.

He said: “I contacted the Criterion Hotel on Park Street, Sydney, and, believe it or not, the hotel manager is a Burnley fan!”