You really thought I was gonna walk 500 miles

Last updated : 19 November 2003 By Tony Scholes

Dave Edmundson on Harry Potts Way at the end of the walk
You know my views on goal music and anthems but perhaps it was just a wee bit appropriate for me this morning because this morning was no ordinary morning. When I did wake up and get myself out of bed I soon discovered it was the ‘typical’ Burnley day, miserable and damp with nothing to encourage you to go out through the front door.

But this was not gonna be a typical morning but the morning I was gonna be a fan showing my support for the Club and the ‘Walk up for Burnley’ campaign. Chief Executive Dave Edmundson was walking all the way to work from Rawtenstall to highlight the campaign and he had been joined by our local scribes Edward Lee and Darren Bentley. I was to join them along the way.

A quick phone call to Edward to check on their progress and I was ready to join in just outside the old County Borough of Burnley boundary and arrived expecting to see just three hardy souls wrapped up protecting themselves from the weather which had by now decided to turn somewhat nasty on them.

But it was nothing like that as Dave bravely walked down sporting the Claret & Blue home shirt emblazoned with ‘Walk up for Burnley’ on the back and those three hardy souls were surrounded by the media – television, radio and newspapers and not forgetting the club’s own Media department.

Now that gave me my first laugh of the morning, finding out that the Club’s Marketing Manager Edoardo Abis had heard his alarm go off at 5:00 a.m. just to be there to cover it all. Well I say it serves him right for leaving town and moving to live on the other side of the Pennines.

I was soon into my stride and the walk was wet but pleasant and with lots of good conversation of a Claret & Blue variety. We were certainly noticed as passing motorists gave us every encouragement. A neighbour passed and looked at me rather strangely wondering why in heaven’s name I had decided to walk in the bad weather but he’s not a Claret and just wouldn’t understand.

It seemed no time at all before we were by Burnley Manchester Road Railway Station and this is very much a landmark. For those approaching the town from this direction it affords the first view of the Turf and it was looking particularly welcoming this morning especially with the news that bacon butties were on the menu.

More tooting of horns on our way down Centenary Way as we approached the new TESC store, well that’s what it says on the big sign on the roof. I cannot believe they chose to have a big roof sign with winds forecast.

And then just as we passed the entrance to the store we were greeted with a call from a passing motorist who said he had just come from Rawtenstall and could have given us a lift. He did look rather familiar but with no game being played he at least wasn’t sick – Good Morning Jamie Hoyland.

Alongside the Gala Bingo and then we saw it, the big crowd there to welcome us. They were stood in the middle of the road and also on the culvert bridge on the canal towpath. How wonderful it was to see them offering their support with their placards. Quite why they kept shouting the word BUSH in their chants I’m not so sure.

The man in the Claret & Blue shirt was by now in great demand and we had to stop by St. Mary’s Church whilst he did an interview for Sky Sports News with Peter Stevenson. It was during this interview that I managed to get the left sleeve of my coat onto the Sky channel. It was mine honestly alongside the Burnley Express Sports Editor deep in conversation on his mobile phone.

Then into the road with the fantastic name, we were through the traffic lights and on HARRY POTTS WAY.

And finally we reached our destination and can I thank all those members of the club staff who were there to welcome my arrival. I can honestly say I have never had such a welcome at Turf Moor and never such fantastic service as Elaine Clare from the ticket office brought me a coffee and Club Secretary Cathy Pickup forced me to eat two bacon butties although I think it was Angela Booth who went for them. Cathy will be the one to blame though if I haven’t lost enough weight this week.

Dave did interviews for just about everyone, thanked us on countless occasions but stressed the importance and significance of this morning’s walk. And even Stan turned up as we posed for pictures outside the ticket office.

It was good fun this morning and I am pleased to have been part of it along with Dave, Edward and Darren. But far more importantly I’ll be walking up for Burnley and taking my place on Turf Moor this Saturday afternoon.

Visitors to this web site will be too, and some who don’t often get the chance to be on the Turf and even one who has set off already on his walk up from JFK airport in New York City in the United States.

When I’m dreaming yes I know I’m gonna dream I’m gonna dream about …………

well not that blasted song but maybe of great days in the past watching Burnley and the hopes of great days in the future.

Are you thinking of coming on and walking up for Burnley with us? Then don’t forget to visit the ticket office at Turf Moor or phone them on 0870 443 1914 to check out the special ticket offer.

And there really was no way I was ever going to walk the full 500 miles.

See you on the Turf