Blackburn v Burnley Golf Day 2014

Photograph: Courtesy of Lancashire Telegraph

On 27th August 2014, rivalries were renewed between Blackburn Rovers FC  and Burnley FC, but this time it was on the golf course and it was between representatives of the former players of both clubs.

The brainchild of Jim and Jan Walker, captain and lady captain of Stonyhurst Park Golf Club and fans of Blackburn and Burnley respectively – that must make for an interesting household – the inaugural match was played at Stonyhurst Park with six teams representing each club with the main purpose being renewing old friendships and fundraising. The nominated charities were obviously the former players associations and Stonyhurst’s charity for the year – Prostate Cancer.

Six former players were joined by three members of Stonyhurst Park, who then played in a 4 ball stableford shotgun competition. Matt Jansen, Ken Beamish, Graham Oates, Derek Fazackerley, Simon Barker and Ian Miller (Blackburn), Ian Brennan, Marcus and Mike Phelan (Burnley) and Duncan McKenzie (Blackburn) – photographed – were joined by Chris Pierce (Burnley).

Following the golf, a dinner was held at The Shireburn Arms in Hurst Green, where the golfers were joined by a number of supporters from Stonyhurst Park and the presentations were made to the individual winners and to the winning club.

Marcus Phelan’s team was the individual winner with 75 stableford points, two ahead of Ian Brennan’s team and, after numerous recounts, the trophy winner was decided – it was a tie !! 12 teams, 48 players and 413 points each. Honours even, so the trophy was shared and battle will recommence at Nelson Golf Club next year, as everyone agreed that it was a great day and well worth repeating.

Duncan McKenzie entertained everyone with some tales and anecdotes after the dinner and then he acted as auctioneer. Jan Walker, the Burnley half of the duo, was presented with a Rovers shirt with her name on. She very gamely put the shirt on, which then meant that she had to buy the Burnley signed shirt to cover it up !!

The day raised £3000 which was shared evenly amongst the three charities and on 17th November cheques were presented by Jim and Jan Walker to Ken Beamish (Blackburn), Ian Britton (Prostate Cancer and himself a former Burnley player) and Ian Brennan (Burnley).

Photograph : Courtesy of Sue Marsden