THE COUNTDOWN is on for the East Lancashire derby after the details of Blackburn Rovers and Burnley's first top flight clash in 40 years were unveiled.

Rovers face the Clarets at Ewood Park on October 17, and the return fixture will be at Turf Moor on March 27.

Supporters from across the area said the clashes would be occasions to remember.

The matches look set to have early kick-offs after match commander Chief Inspector Jeff Brown revealed he had requested with the Football Association that they start at 1pm.

There is also a strong possibility that the matches could be on Sky, which could force the game to be moved.

A spokesman for Sky said it would make announcements over live games in around two weeks.

The last time the two sides met in the top flight was a 2-0 Burnley win at Ewood Park in 1966 in the old Division One.

Chief Insp Brown said police and club bosses would now speak to the Premier League and Sky before a final decision was made on scheduling.

He said: "My job is to police and make sure that people get to and from games safely, and to deal with disorder.

"I'm sure they will be great occasions."

Rovers fan Wayne Hemingway said he could not wait for the derby clashes but warned the "idiots and troublemakers" to stay away and not ruin the occasions.

The famous designer behind the Red or Dead brand said: "I am one of those Rovers fans that thinks it is fantastic news for the area that Burnley are promoted.

"It will be great for the area as long as the idiots don't do idiotic things and ruin it.

"There is no need for trouble. I'm a Blackburn lad and I married a girl from Padiham."

He said he believes the games will push both sides on to better league positions next season.

Rovers season ticket holder and Blackburn with Darwen Council leader Mike Lee said: "It will be a great atmosphere I just hope it doesn't get spoiled by nutters.

"I actually think that it will be a very easy six points for us this season."

Jack Straw, Blackburn MP, said: "The dates are already in my diary for both the home and away games and I don't want to miss them.

"Both matches will be fantastic for East Lancashire."

Clarets fan and BBC weatherman John Kettley said: "The Rovers game will be the big one but I think the start to the season just sums up how tough it is going to be in the Premier League."

Burnley Council leader Gordon Birtwistle said: "The first six games are extremely exciting but very tough too. It is like, 'Welcome to the Premier League'.

"But if Burnley get through those, I am sure they will do well and have a good season.

"Manchester United is a tremendous first home game to have in Burnley and it is what the Premier League is all about."

Rovers fan Darren Adcroft, 37, from Lower Darwen said: "I have been looking forward to the Burnley fixture ever since they got promoted.

"It's great that the first game is at Ewood and hopefully by the time we go to Turf Moor in March we can send them back down to the Championship.

"They've got a tough start to the season and I think they will really struggle."

Burnley fan Shaun Juriansz, of Burnley, said: "Looking at it, it shows the enormity of the task at hand.

"Stoke away is a difficult game, but then you look at the next four and start wondering how many points we're going to get.

"But that's what you get in the Premier League and it beats playing Scunthorpe or Preston - I wouldn't want it any other way."

Rovers fan Derek Shaw, 66, from Blackpool said: "I'm not really happy that they got promoted but I'm still looking forward to the derby match.

"I think we'll beat them at Ewood but it could be a different story at Turf Moor.

"It all depends how pre-season goes and who we buy."

Burnley fan Keith Higgin, 50, of Halifax Road, Nelson, said: "We should be looking for three points away at Stoke and then I'll be happy with a draw against United - Ronaldo knew when to go.

"I'll be satisfied with eight points from the first five games.

"I think we'll stay up - it'll be a close margin, but we'll do it."

Rovers fan Alan Hargreaves, 67, from Great Harwood: "I truly hope that they get relegated and it'll be good to play them first at Ewood.

"I'm a bit worried about next season. We need a few signings because we're not quite there yet."

Burnley and Manchester United fan Lisa Pawson, 38, from Foulridge, said: "When the list came out this morning I was really excited.

"I have to confess I like Manchester United as well, but my Dad's a season ticket holder at Turf Moor, so he's going to take me there and I'm going to take him to Old Trafford for the return fixture.

"If they come 17th that'll be fantastic and I'll be happy with that."

Rovers fan Terry Fogarty, 69, from Darwen said: "It is great for the area to have two teams in the top flight because the banter will be brilliant.

"The two sets of fans don't get on and I just hope that it doesn't turn nasty.

"I'm sure the first game will be under a lot of attention and I just hope it goes ok."

Burnley fan Peter Boast, 50, of Albert Road, Colne, said: "My daughter's a season ticket holder and we did quite a lot in the shop during the build up to the match at Wembley.

"People have been coming in the shop all morning to tell us about the fixture list - it's unreal."

Rovers fan Sharon Challenger, 48, from Witton, Blackburn said: "All of my family were very upset when they came up and we want them to go back down again.

"The Burnley game was the first fixture that we all looked for because it will be such a big game.

"We just hope that the club has a great start and carries on well."

Burnley fan Jack Pollard, 61, of Cowling, said: "I think it's probably the most difficult start that any club coming up from the Championship has ever come across.

"If they get 10 points from the first eight games I think that will bode well for the rest of the season.

"Rovers in October will be the big one."

Rovers fan Tim Winterbottom, 52, from Grimshaw Park, Blackburn: "I think we'll have a great season this year.

"I don't actually mind Burnley but it will be a great game when we play them in October.

"There will be loads of banter and singing. I'm looking forward to the first match against Man City and then we will see what happens from there."

Burnley fan Keith Burrows, 46, of Sefton Street, Brierfield, said: "They beat two top Premier League teams in the cups last season, so there's no reason why they can't do it again this year.

"They've got four difficult games to start off with, but I hope they do well."