A FOOTY-mad pub has turned its beer garden into an incredible replica Premier League stadium for the new season.
The Royal Dyche – named after ex-Clarets boss Sean Dyche – has created a ‘Little Longside’ home end with club seats, a mini football pitch and badge from the home dugout as its centrepiece.
The Longside was a famous section of football terracing at Burnley’s home Turf Moor in the 70s and 80s as well known in football as the likes of the Kop at Anfield and the Stretford End at Old Trafford.
And even current boss Scott Parker and Radio 1 DJ Jordan North, who is a keen Clarets fan, paid a visit to admire the pub’s unique beer garden which also boasts an outside bar serving draft beers.
Landlady Justine Lorriman, who has been at the helm for 12 years, has ploughed £30,000 into transforming the pub’s outdoor area which is just down the road from Turf Moor after drawing up plans on a betting slip.
She said: “The transformation started last summer but we delayed fully completing it during the winter months so we could still have it looking fresh this summer.
“It took about two months to do in total.
“We’ve had quite a few famous faces over the years; Alan Pace the current chairman, JJ & Kealia Watt (N NFL legend and his wife who are investors from the US), Gary Neville and Jamie Carragher hosted a part of FNF.”
The landlady added: “We were lucky to have many of the players pop in for a beer after the Sheffield United win on Easter Monday when we secured promotion.
“Russell Ball who is the Director of Fan Experience reached out regarding the club badge, it used to be in front of the home dugout, they managed to salvage it when they were resurfacing the pitch.
“The club had pledged to help a young season ticket holder called Lucy who was diagnosed with Neuroblastoma cancer, this was going to be sold to raise funds for her treatment in the USA.
“The seats were from the Cricket Field Stand, these were ripped out to make way for the safe standing areas.
“The idea initially came after purchasing the badge, I wanted to make it the centre of some form of display, I drew up a draft plan on the back of a betting slip and then brainstormed with my builder Tim who takes care of the pub’s maintenance.
“It’s my favourite project that I’ve done at the pub and it really brings something completely different to our venue. The graffiti artwork was carried out by a local artist called Jamie Buckley.
“Leading up to the season we plan on ‘selling’ the seats. Where people can pay to have their name or business on a seat for a season and all money raised will go to Burnley FC in the Community.”
The pub famously changed its name from the Princess Royal in 2018 after Sean Dyche kept the Clarets in the Premier League and steered them to Europa League qualification.
Dyche never set foot in the boozer, despite their offer of drinks on the house, as his God-like status in the town would have seen him mobbed.
But he did pop in for a pint in 2022 after he was sacked after almost 10 years as Burnley manager.
Fans were delighted to see Dyche, dressed in jeans instead of his trademark shirt and tie and sharp suit.
Supporter John Palmer said: “That guy is always welcome in Burnley for what he did.”
The Clarets clinched promotion back to the Premier League with 100 points behind champions Leeds last season.
Last year Justine was named the Licensee of the Year by the British Institute of Innkeeping. She was one of six finalists, whittled down from 300 nominations.
She was presented with the trophy at the BII summer event held at the HAC Royal Artillery Ground in London.
After holding the title for a year Justine is now an ambassador for the organisation.
Unfortunately for Burnley FC, their return to the Premier League has not started with a bang.
The Clarets were beaten 3-0 by Tottenham Hotspur last weekend in a tricky away test.
Richarlison’s clinical finish got the ball rolling in the first half before his exquisite volley after the break was added to by Brennan Johnson’s neat finish.
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