Rangers open their campaign with a trip to Burnley. The Clarets beat Rangers 2-0 on the opening day last season so chances are most Rangers fans have some idea what they're doing on day one but if not, here's our first guide of the season for the travelling fan.

Ground Name: Turf Moor
Capacity: 22,546 (all seated)
Address: Harry Potts Way, Burnley, BB10 4BX
Main Telephone No: 0870-443-1882
Fax No: 01282-700-014
Ticket Office: 0870-443-1914

By Car:
Leave the M6 at Junction 29 onto the M65 until Junction 10 then follow signs for Towneley Hall. This road eventually goes past the ground. There are signs for the ground on route but these tend to be right on the turning or the roundabout which can lead to many wrong turns and much flailing of arms and swearing from drivers relying on them. It's quite difficult to get lost all the same once you're in Burnley - the ground is the biggest thing in the town and sits right at the bottom of a valley so you can see it from just about anywhere.

Map:

Click map to visit Multi Map site and zoom in/out or tour round.

Parking:
You can park right next to the ground at the cricket club. It was three pounds last time we did this (season before last) but it may have gone up like everything else in this world! Otherwise it's street parking and we've never had any problems finding this although a steering wheel lock and all valuables out of sight is highly recommended.

By Train
Burnley is served by two stations - Central and Manchester Road. The central station sits on the stopping line from Manchester and I wouldn't recommend it. The easiest thing for QPR fans to do is go on Virgin trains from Euston, change at Preston and then catch the Scarborough train which stops at Manchester Road after Blackburn and Accrington. Better, and probably cheaper, still catch GNER to Leeds from Kings Cross, catch the hourly service to Blackpool North from Leeds and this takes about an hour to get to Burnley Manchester Road after stopping at Bradford and Halifax.

London Kings Cross - 0810
Leeds arrive - 1037, depart - 1051
Burnley Manchester Road - 1157

Remember the Burnley train runs hourly so if you miss that tight change in Leeds don't panic, you'll still make it there for 1pm. Coming back…

Burnley Manchester Road - 1728
Leeds arrive - 1837, depart 2015
London Kings Cross - 2249

Now when we originally published this article (5/7/06) GNER were offering this trip for £37.50 for a full adult return ticket but we siad that would soon change and should you choose to just turn up and pay on the day could cost up to a hundred pounds each. If you book today (2/8/06) the GNER website will charge you £61.30 for the above journey and it will only increase more as the day draws closer.

From Burnley Manchester Road exit the station and turn left then follow the dual carriageway down the hill past the giant Tesco store on your right. Turn right at the next roundabout under the bridge and the ground should be visible ahead on your left. Approximately ten minutes there, fifteen minutes on the way back because it's seriously up hill!

Pubs:
For those coming by train the Ministry of Ales is right outside the station and serves about eight million different kinds of beer. Last season they even did us a Budvar themed packed lunch to take with us on the train afterwards. There was a good mix of home and away fans in there last season with no trouble. Sky Sports on a small screen, but not the pay per view matches, and limited food options (i.e. pie and peas and that's your lot). Great, friendly pub.

Closer to the ground there's the 110 Club which allows visiting supporters in for 20p entrance and got rave reviews from Mick and the boys last season. The Talbot offers big screen sports and real ale but this is a website recommendation, not one I've personally sampled myself so if it's a dive don't blame me! The Turf Hotel on Yorkshire Street and most of the pubs in the town centre are not recommended for away fans.

We've also had mail from a landlord of three boozers handy for those driving...

All three pubs are in Leyland and are within 2 miles of junction 29 on the M6;
1) The Wheatsheaf Inn, room for 2-3 coaches and plenty of room for cars. Can put on butties if i know numbers/No charge. Very pro football pub with our own team etc.
2) Broadfield Arms, Large car park and again will put on free butties if we know the numbers.
3) Queens Hotel, town centre pub and can do hot food if we know in advance,good menu and good prices, bound to say that cause its my own pub.
What i can assure you of though is that all 3 pubs are clean,safe and welcoming. We have had many teams up and they have all been brill, as were the QPR lads last season, hence we decided to contact you. For all the rich bods with sat-nav the post codes are as follows;
1 Wheatsheaf PR26 8PH
2 Broadfield PR25 1XH
3.Queens PR25 3NP

Links:

Burnley awayday review from this site last season

Official Burnley Website

Detailed fans' guide to Turf Moor

Photo: Action Images

Port Vale Polls