Families of Burnley’s 1914 heroes join in the Turf Moor celebrations.

Burnley’s fixture against Ipswich Town was 100 years, almost to the day, since Bert Freeman’s goal won the famous old trophy. Officials at the club decided it was fitting that more than 100 descendants of the Burnley players, management, coaching staff and directors from that historic era were invited to Turf Moor to join the supporters in celebrating this memorable and unique occasion.

Some of the guests had travelled many miles to be at Turf Moor and they included Alan Curry, who is a long-distance Clarets’ fan from Melbourne, Australia. Alan is the great nephew of Bert Freeman and one of the great stories from 1914 is that Freeman’s father travelled from Australia to watch the 1914 final. At the time Mr Freeman senior had been visiting his daughter Ethel, Alan Curry’s grandmother!

Other guests included Mrs Margaret Jackson, Bert Freeman’s daughter, and Mrs Joy Green, the daughter of Billy Watson, together with many other members of the Freeman and Watson families.

The grandchildren and great grandchildren of Tom Bamford, manager John Haworth, vice chairman William Bracewell and trainer Ernest Edwards were also at Turf Moor.

In addition Kevan Boyle, a member of captain Tommy Boyle’s extended family travelled from his home in France with his wife to enjoy the celebrations, being joined by members of the families of players Richard Lindley, Teddy Hodgson, Billy Nesbitt and auditor James Ashworth.

After enjoying the hospitality at Turf Moor all the guests were escorted to Towneley Hall for a special viewing of the Burnley FC 1914 FA Cup final exhibition.