A BURNLEY fan who lives in the shadow of rivals Blackburn Rovers’ Ewood Park says the upcoming derby fixture has been ruined by draconian ticketing policies.

Clarets season ticket holder Jason Taylor, 28, of Oakfield Road, was hoping to make the four-minute walk to the 1pm kick off on Sunday, October 18, with his Rovers-supporting grandad.

Instead, a decision to implement compulsory coach travel for away supporters taken by both football clubs and Lancashire Constabulary, means Mr Taylor must instead make a 60-mile round trip to get to the game.

He said: “I have sent off my application for my ticket and coach ticket, but part of me hopes I’m not successful because I’m not going to enjoy the day.

“I’ll be getting up at 7.30am for a game four minutes away. I’m very frustrated at these measures which are totally over the top.”

Mr Taylor, who moved to Blackburn from Accrington aged 10, will now have to drive the 15 miles to Turf Moor to get the compulsory supporters’ coach travel all the way back to Ewood.

After the game, he will have to return to the coach, travel back up the M65 to Turf Moor, then returning home.

He said: “All my mates are Blackburn fans and the two clubs live in each other’s pockets. Previous derbies have passed relatively trouble free and I think this will dilute the atmosphere.

“They are trying to promote it as a family day out, but what kind of day out is spent stuck in the car, coach and on the motorway?

“I had planned to walk from my house with my grandad, who supports Blackburn, before going our separate ways.

“That is what these occasions are about.”

The match will be the first time in 40 years that the two sides have met in the top division of English football.

Chief Inspector Jeff Brown has previously told the Lancashire Telegraph that the arrangements agreed by all parties were necessary “to ensure that everyone gets to the match on time and in safety”.

He said: “Anyone who travels or attempts to travel independently will not get anywhere near Ewood Park regardless of whether they have a ticket or not.”

Burnley fans have been given 3,000 tickets across two tiers of the WEC Darwen End at Ewood Park.