Casino night tribute to Clarets legend wins for hospice

A casino night raised a winning amount of cash for Pendleside Hospice in memory of a popular former Claret.

Family and friends supported the fund-raising evening to celebrate the life of Burnley Football Club cult hero Ian Britton who died at the hospice from cancer in April aged 61.

Son Kieran Britton and his partner Emma Harper organised the night at Nelson and Colne Rugby Club which raised £2,185 for the hospice.

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Emma said: “More than 200 people came along which was a lot more than we expected. Thank you to everyone who contributed and supported us.

“A special thank you to the rugby club for allowing us to use the room free of charge and Red 18 Casino. It was a lot of hard work to organise and we were running around on the night selling and folding raffle tickets, but it was worth it.”

Ian, who will forever be remembered as the man who scored the goal which ensured Burnley Football Club’s Football League survival, was as popular off the pitch as he was on it.

His crucial header in the famous “Orient” match of 1987 proved a turning point in the club’s history. Since then, the Clarets have soared, reaching the promised land of the Premier League on three occasions.

Born in Dundee, Ian represented Chelsea, Dundee United, Arbroath and Blackpool before he moved to Turf Moor in 1986.