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Late Wednesday afternoon Burnley confirmed that the Clarets were to play Glentoran at The Oval in Belfast on Thursday 31th July, two days after our pre-season game against Bradford City.
Mobile phone calls were in heavy use between fans as plans were made to go and watch the game and over the next couple of days flights were being booked to Belfast with many deciding on a couple of days break and going over on the Wednesday and returning on the Friday ahead of a planned game on the Turf believed to be announced for the Saturday.
Then, whilst reading about Jon Harley on Friday afternoon I caught by chance a headline suggesting a change of date. That article confirmed that there would be a change of date but with no new date as yet available.
Burnley apologised but said it was out of their hands and this has been confirmed by Glens chairman Stafford Reynolds who has spoken by phone to some Burnley supporters and by email to others. Reynolds said:
"Thanks for getting in touch and I fully appreciate your and your colleagues' frustration at the date change. It is indeed our fault and my apologies to you and your friends. What happened was that the person dealing with the transaction overlooked our UEFA prelim dates when discussing the match dates with the Burnley representative.
"This was a genuine oversight, and I would add that the opportunity to host Burnley FC is one that is most welcome given the 'connections' between our clubs. I should explain that we are essentially part-time at Glentoran and the vast majority of the work associated with the football club is undertaken by volunteers in conjunction with their everyday responsibilities to their employers, families etc.
"None of this is by way of excuse and I genuinely regret that we have inconvenienced you. I hope that a new date can be confirmed soon and should you and your friends travel for the game then I would be obliged if you will let me know and I can arrange to make some form of recompense by way hospitality at the game.
"Finally I would add that the club and its officers care deeply about our supporters, and visiting supporters, and hold strongly to the belief that we are all part of the one 'family' in football.
"Very best wishes to all at Burnley and I hope I have the opportunity to welcoming you and your colleagues to the Oval."
So Glentoran overlooked the dates of European ties but I find it difficult to believe that the two clubs didn't ensure everything was in place before allowing it to be announced.
Now we await a new date but there have been calls from some supporters for the club to scrap immediate plans for this game and try to arrange another game on the Thursday. Our club will have already made travel arrangements for players and staff so besides being helpful to the fans who are going it would also be a sensible decision for them.
We could play Glentoran any time, and given that it is already a year late there should be no problem putting it back another year.