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Arriving at the Britannia Stadium brought back many memories of previous visits there, most notably seeing Gary Cahill score the winner in front of our crowd a few years ago.
This had a different feel about it though. From the very beginning you could see this is a far different level, seeing the Clarets with Premier League squad names and numbers, a minor detail but a great one as well. The close to 3000 supporters in Claret were in fine voice to welcome the boys to the new season.
It was pretty much as you were from the Play-Off final for the Clarets, with the injured Steven Caldwell, Michael Duff and Steven Thompson being replaced by Stephen Jordan and debutants Tyrone Mears and Steven Fletcher.
Burnley started the game well having the better of the possession early on. Early chances came and went but the Clarets were punished by a standard Stoke goal. After 20 minutes a clumsy foul by Tyrone Mears gave Stoke a free kick on the left of the area and Liam Lawrence picked out Ryan Shawcross' head for the Liverpool target to score. 1-0 Stoke.
The deficit felt undeserving but it proves to show just how dangerous Stoke can be from set piece situations. The supporters didn't stop getting behind the team and we continued to press forward searching for a quick equaliser.
The Stoke support taunted Burnley with the imaginative chants of "Going down", a position they probably found themselves in this time last year.
After a period of Clarets pressure without a clear cut scoring chance, Stoke struck again. Surprise, surprise a Rory Delap throw-in was the assist. He picked out Stephen Jordan's head perfectly and the Clarets centre back was unfortunate to get the slightest of touches on the ball to double Stoke's lead. 2-0 Stoke.
For a moment it was easy to think "here we go", and become down about the situation. However, as the press seem to enjoy telling the world, Burnley have no right to be in the Premier League. But we do. We earned our place there on merit and for the next hour Burnley pressed to show exactly why.
At half time, concourse discussions revolved around the fact that we seemed to be missing a little something. The end product just wasn't there. It's easy to see though at this level the end product needs to be a lot more clinical, but comes at a price, just look at Real Madrid shelling out £80million for a certain Manchester United winger over the summer. It's clear to see this Burnley side has something other teams don't at this level, nothing at all to lose.
This is the attitude that we seemed to come out with in the second half. The boys fired out of the traps early on, and a shot from outside the area by Wembley goalscorer Wade Elliott looked to have beaten Thomas Sorensen but hit the top of the net.
More chances came with Robbie Blake and Steven Fletcher both being denied well by Sorensen. The Clarets continued to pressurise Stoke but Tony Pulis has built a well organised, efficient side at the Britannia Stadium and however poor it can be on the eye at the times, it is certainly effective.
Dave Kitson almost took the score beyond justice but his strike hit the post. The introduction of Fernando Guerrero was one of the highlights of the afternoon. A young Michael Jackson reincarnate, the Ecuadorian twisted and turned several times to beat Stoke players, just the type of left winger this club has been craving for years.
The never give up attitude was echoed by the travelling support with a rapturous chorus of "We love you Burnley" and "Owen Coyle's Claret and Blue Army" as the game drew to a close.
It would be easy to become downhearted about today's result but the game had plenty of positives. The small matter of Manchester United awaits on Wednesday. No matter what happens this season, this is what we have been waiting for for years. Days and nights in the rain watching defeats against teams like Darlington and Walsall make days like this even more worthwhile.
To be able to tune in to Match of the Day and see Burnley is a new, unique experience. Who knows, two or three good results before October and we could be in a position to survive comfortably. Whatever happens though, the belief of the support and players will guide us through this brilliant season to remember. After 33 years, Burnley are Back.