Ground subsidence fears

For some time the club has been filling in a small depression that has been regularly appearing in the Jimmy McIlroy End goalmouth.

First noticed by Brian Jensen during the game against Bolton on Boxing Day it was brought to the attention of the chief groundsman. It was levelled and filled and initially seen as nothing to be concerned about although goalkeeper Jensen has hinted that it does slightly affect his run up when coming out for crosses.

Unfortunately, bit by bit, this depression has been progressively increasing in diameter and depth to such an extent that the Club commissioned a report into the reasons why this may be happening. Although it can be filled and levelled on a regular basis, so that it is unnoticeable on a matchday, the sudden increase in depth approximately eight weeks ago gave some cause for some alarm.

The Land Survey and Structural Geology Dept of the John Moores University Liverpool was therefore asked to make detailed examinations of the whole pitch area and submit a report.

The problem they discovered was that beneath the Turf Moor ground the old Beehole Coalmine workings and tunnels have begun to shift and move to a slightly lower depth. This in turn affects surface ground levels. They found a similar depression, unnoticed by the Club, in the corner between the CF Stand and the BL Stand.

Realising that the scale of this problem was beyond their particular area of expertise John Moores University then called in, in consultation with Burnley Football Club, engineering experts from the National Coal Board who admitted that they have known for some time that the old workings beneath Turf Moor may one day become problematic.

A Club spokesman commented that although there is no danger of serious collapse of the ground this season and probably next, the club must plan for the possible consequences of total disintegration. Were this to happen during a game with a full-house crowd, the impact would of course be catastrophic. Vast underground repair work must therefore be carried out as soon as possible.

After a lengthy board meeting, plus consultation with League and Premier Chiefs, police inspector Jeff Brown, and Ground Safety Officer Alex Wood, the decision has been taken to relocate and play all games during season 2010/11 and thereafter until the problems are rectified, at a neutral ground. Injections of several billion cubic tons of special, liquid, rapid-setting concrete into the shafts and tunnels will render them all perfectly safe. But, this will be a time consuming process, particularly as this specific anti-subsidence concrete with added compressive strength, with silica fume accelerators and kilojoules, is currently imported only from China.

Talks have already taken place with officials from Blackburn Rovers, Bolton Wanderers and Preston North End to ascertain the possibility of using one of those grounds whilst this work is carried out next season. All those fans who have already bought season tickets for next season will be allocated comparable seats in the ground selected for Burnley games, unless a refund is required and this will of course be paid in full, less a small administration charge.

The club as always take into account the feelings of fans and therefore invite response to the question; which of the three named grounds would be preferable.

There will be questionnaires in future programmes, leaflets distributed via all local newsagents, plus opinions sought via this website and message board. As such can you please leave your own choice on the selection of grounds; which would suit you best; which one provides the best pies and refreshments; what facilities you would be looking for and in particular whether or not you would continue to support the Clarets if the ground selected was Ewood Park.