HUNDREDS of fans turned up at Turf Moor to cheer on their idols yesterday – but there wasn’t a professional footballer in sight.

Instead, the 1,200-strong crowd were showing their adoration for music and television personalities taking part in this year’s Soccer Six competition.

 

See our Joey Essex picture gallery here 

http://www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/photos/2015_photos/joey_essex/

 

Celebrities including chart-topping drum and bass band Rudimental and former The Only Way Is Essex star Joey Essex graced the pitch normally home to Burnley FC’s Premier League heroes.

The crowd – made up mainly of screaming teenage girls – may not have been as big as the numbers who cheer on Sean Dyche’s men, but they made themselves heard from the James Hargreaves Stand and an enclosed VIP pitch-side area.

Among them was Accrington teenager Shannon Maddocks, who spent hours preparing a homemade banner dedicated to those taking part.

Mark Abery, founder and chief executive officer of Soccer Six, said the pop artists and reality stars loved coming to Burnley.

He said: “It’s great to be back here in Burnley. We love the club, we love the people of the area and we love the support the guys and girls get.

“We sold 1,200 tickets, a bit down on previous years, but we know everyone is going to enjoy themselves.”

Bands including Rough Copy, Neck Deep and Circa Waves were among eight teams vying for the Soccer Six title.

X Factor runner-up Ray Quinn, Britain’s Got Talent champion Jai McDowell and the original Big Brother winner, Craig Phillips, also took part.