Burnley defender Bardsley heaps praise on globe-trotting supporters

Supporters travelled in their thousands to watch the Clarets return to the European stage when they took on Aberdeen at Pittodrie.
By The Newsroom
Published 23rd Aug 2018, 00:53 BST
Updated 23rd Aug 2018, 02:05 BST
Burnley's Phil BardsleyBurnley's Phil Bardsley
Burnley's Phil Bardsley

There was almost 900 fans in attendance at the Fatih Terim Stadium for the Europa League second qualifying round game against Istanbul Basaksehir.

Now more than 1,000 loyal backers are expected to make the near 2,000-mile journey to Athens to see Burnley take on Greek outfit Olympiakos at the Karaiskakis Stadium tonight.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The support has been out of this world throughout the club's European tour and defender Phil Bardsley wants to make it clear that those efforts are very much appreciated by the squad.

Burnley's Phil BardsleyBurnley's Phil Bardsley
Burnley's Phil Bardsley

The former Manchester United full back said: "It goes a long way with the players. It’s difficult to get direct flights to Athens from Manchester so they’ve had to go all over Europe to get here.

"They give us that extra edge in a game when we’re struggling, we can hear them getting behind us.

"It’s about giving them the chance to experience games in Europe, we did that by finishing seventh and now here they are in Athens and I hope we can get a result for them."

Related topics:SupportersPhil BardsleyBurnleyAberdeenPittodrieEuropa League