The Burnley FC Independent Supporters Association has been established by a steering group of volunteers, committed to the values of the organisation. These volunteers are the Interim Officers of BFCISA, jointly responsible for the running of the group.

Together, the Interim Officers form the Steering Committee of BFCISA. Collectively they take decisions on actions and matters between AGM and Committee meetings, such as public statements and attendance at meetings.

The Steering Group are:

Luke Cockcroft

I have been a passionate Burnley fan since my first game in September 1992, dragged on by my Dad at the age of 5 to watch us beat Mansfield Town 1-0. I was a regular attendee in the years between then and my first season ticket, the 1999/2000 season (a good choice!), something have remained ever since.

My favourite players remain Glen Little and Robbie Blake, despite the myriad of Premier League players we have had in my years watching now. The 2009 Play-Off Final remains my favourite match and moment as a Burnley fan – the achievement of something I never once thought I’d see. Burnley in the Premier League.

I grew up in Todmorden, which made for an easy time getting to games of course. As life took its course, I moved to Chesterfield in Derbyshire 15 years ago which made me become something of a ‘medium-distance’ fan. As a result, I now look at things such as kick-off time and date alterations with a far keener eye than I used to!

Burnley Football Club means so much to me. It’s my link to where I’m from, it’s quite literally going ‘home’ when I drive to a game. I am a firm believer in effective communication, listening to all voices and fair treatment. These are some of my values in life that I know are shared by Burnley FC ISA and as a result I was happy to offer my support in any way that I could offer.

Benji Dryer

Originally from London, my family ties to Burnley meant I was always destined to be a Clarets supporter. Growing up, I have many fond memories of following Burnley through the highs and lows.

As the youngest member of the organisation, I’ve had the privilege of supporting the club during one of its more successful recent periods — including the unforgettable experience of seeing Burnley play in Europe in 2018. I’m passionate about ensuring that the voices of all fans are heard, and I believe Burnley FC ISA is a fantastic platform to help make that happen.

James Hart

I was born in Somerset to two northern parents who gradually moved to Lancaster via Luton and Stoke-on-Trent. Once I was in Lancaster my uncle, aunty and cousin took me to my first Burnley game, a pre season friendly against Leeds United, ahead of the 03/04 season and I was hooked!

A season ticket followed in the Bob Lord for the subsequent 8 seasons of highs and lows, followed by one off trips due to university and work before settling in the Jimmy Mac Upper over the past 3 seasons. I’ve been lucky enough to see some of our most successful modern teams, the pinnacle seeing my club competing in European football. For further proof of my claret credentials, we had a pet goldfish called Ade after my cult hero Ade Akinbiyi!

Burnley FC is my club, as it is all of ours, so I feel a duty to uphold the traditions, values and history I’ve been part of since my first game 22 years ago. I’m proud to be part of the steering group to help shape a truly independent and fan led supporters association.

Simon Jackson

Like many, Burnley is a family affair for me. My dad took me to my first game in the 80s – the League Cup versus Man Utd; we lost, Utd were obnoxious, I think I hated it. Undeterred, my dad kept trying. It took him a few more goes to really hook me, but, inevitably, hook me he did. By the time the Mullen season rolled around, I was utterly besotted; Mike Conroy still holds a special place in my memory.

Since then, favourite games and players have come and gone, we’ve had great results and wonderful – and some not-so-wonderful – days and seasons. There’s been a lot fo change in football (not always for the better) but, for me, the bond is still there: I’m as hooked as ever. Hooked on Burnley. The ritual, the area, the fans, the family connection – it’s so much more than the 90 minutes. Moving away to London and having to rely on the increasingly infuriating train service hasn’t changed it; I hope and expect nothing ever will.

Because Burnley matters so much, to so many, it’s worth treasuring. The fans are everything – they deserve a say and a voice. That’s what BFCISA is about and why I’m happy to help in any way I can. I hope that – by bringing some of the skills and experience I’ve developed in my professional life, in politics and business – I can help to get it up and running so it helps play a part in safeguarding a football club that’s so special to me and thousands others.

Alister Leaver

I’ve been watching Burnley home and away since 1969 so I’ve seen my share of ups and downs including winning at Old Trafford, something that I never thought I’d see during the 80’s and 90’s.

It’s vitally important that supporters are always involved in their football club especially one like ours that has a long history and forms a significant part of the culture and community in the area and beyond. Burnley FC ISA hopes to represent each and every supporter regardless of whether they are newly found or have seen more seasons than they care to remember.

Oliver Norris

Like most Clarets, being a Burnley fan means more to me than just 90 minutes on a weekend, it’s means everything – the atmosphere, the traditions, the community, the history, the pride, as well as the highs & the lows.

Born into it as a Padiham lad just after the Orient game, I’ve been lucky enough to follow our steady rise through the leagues and into Europe from the Cricket Field Stand and then the Jimmy Mac.

I’m new to supporters’ groups but got involved with Burnley FC ISA to help keep the club properly rooted in its fanbase.

Joe Redmond

John Robertson

I have been a passionate supporter of Burnley Football Club since the early nineties, and I’m grateful to my dad for choosing to introduce me to the Clarets for the first time, in a top of the table clash against Blackpool at a packed Turf Moor during the fantastic Division Four league-winning season of 1991-92.

A few years later, in 1996, I attended what still remains to this day, my favourite Burnley match: a 4-3 home victory against Stockport County, where Burnley’s fourth goal that day, scored by John Francis, was the only time Burnley led during the game.

Whilst studying at the University of Leeds in the early 2000’s, I attended an informal meet-up for fans of Burnley who reside in West Yorkshire. Little did I know that a few years later, having decided to take up a job opportunity in the city, that I would end up running the organisation and I have continued to try and bring Burnley fans from around the region together, once a month, for over fifteen years now.

As a result, I believe strongly that listening to the ideas of fellow Burnley supporters and where possible, offering solutions or assistance, is something that is of real importance.

My desire to get involved with Burnley FC ISA will hopefully enable me to hear a wider range of supporter views and collectively as a group, we will endeavour to work with fans, to ensure that their views and opinions are heard and valued for the years to come.

Nathan Rogers

I suppose I’d say I’ve been a Burnley fan all my life. Right from birth, I had no choice but to support Burnley; it was thrust upon me mere hours into my arrival in the world, with my dad, my grandad, and my great-grandad all being Burnley fans. It’s been deep-rooted in the Rogers family that the right way is the Burnley way.

I’ve spent well over 20 years as a season ticket holder and travelled all over following Burnley. I’ve seen us in the pits of League One all the way to European football. It’s certainly been one hell of a ride being a Burnley fan. Having spent so much time and effort following Burnley, it only feels right to preserve the club that I’ve grown up loving, not just for myself but for generations to come. To keep giving them opportunities to follow this wonderful club, I want to make sure the things that make this club great are carefully preserved. So the likes of my son Stanley can grow up knowing the club we fell in love with will never go away.

Tony Scholes

I’ve been a Burnley supporter since 1960 when my dad took me onto the Turf for the first time. We were champions of England at the time and I’ve since seen us right at the top of the league and also down at the bottom in the dark years of the 1980s, from European competition to 1,600 crowds and back again. 

My first game was in October 1960 when I saw us beat Manchester United 5-3, standing alongside my dad and granddad, stood on a buffet in the corner of the Bee Hole End and Longside. I can’t remember too much, if anything, about the game, but I do know that Ray Pointer scored our first goal and the fifth was scored by the wonderful Jimmy McIlroy. All those great players but it was goalkeeper Adam Blacklaw who I adopted as my hero. 

It was 1973 before I saw us win anything, but that April Monday night when we beat Sunderland 2-0 with two Paul Fletcher goals remains very special. I even saw Bob Lord smile that night as we made a triumphant return to the First Division.

I have been involved in Supporter Groups for many years, almost since their emergence following the Bob Lord era when I became a committee member of the then recently launched Supporters Club. I’ve been actively involved with other Burnley groups too, and with the national organisations and am currently about to step back into the Football Supporters Association’s (FSA) Premier League Network Group. I wanted to offer my support to this new organisation because I believe such associations are vital at any football club.  

Chris Wells

My links with Burnley Football Club go back to the 1950s when my Dad took me to my first game at Turf Moor. I’ve been hooked ever since and have experienced the highs and lows as all Clarets fans have. From the 1959/60 Championship then down through the leagues and back up to the top with the play off final in 2008/9. Something I never thought I would see happening again in my lifetime.

We all have our favourite players. For me midfielders make the game tick. Probably too many to mention but in recent years Dean Marney is in there.

I’ve been involved with supporter groups including North Manchester Clarets over a 20 year period and as a fan representative on the Safety Advisory Group (SAG) at the club for the past 4 years.
With the direction I feel football is going I believe representation of fans is more important than ever. I’m proud to have become part of the Steering Group to build a new organisation for fans – Burnley FC Independent Supporters Association.