Burnley veteran looking to renew rivalry with Blackburn Rovers (From Lancashire Telegraph)

Burnley veteran looking to renew rivalry with Blackburn Rovers

10:40am Monday 6th September 2010 in

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WHEN Graham Alexander stood side by side with David Dunn at the opening of a new birthing centre in East Lancashire, it served to highlight the intense footballing rivalry in this part of the region.

Babies of couples of Burnley descent will have Blackburn as their birthplace, and vice versa when a multi-million pound specialist maternity unit opens at Burnley General Hospital later this year.

Having leading players of rival clubs present at Blackburn’s new facility was a smart move by the organisers. It acted as a seal of approval.

But as Alexander pointed out, there are more important things in life than football.

“I can understand the message they’re trying to get across.

"I did a couple of events with David Dunn last year as well.

"We’re probably the peacemakers – apart from when we go on the pitch and then we want to kick each other to bits!” smiled the Clarets skipper.

“On the pitch you’ve got to do everything for your club.

"But I think if you’ve got a grip on life off the pitch, life goes on and that’s more important.

“Obviously in the birth of your child it’s a really important time and you’ve got to take what the medical people say.

“I can understand the fella’s point of view, wanting their baby to be born in the town they were born in and of the team they support.

“But in a case like this you’ve got to do what’s right for the child and the mum.

"It’s a can of worms but there are bigger things in life than football, and this is obviously definitely one of them. I think that’s got to take precedence over football rivalries.”

Nevertheless, the Clarets skipper admitted he was would miss the intense atmospheres of the East Lancashire derbies this season. But he’s hoping for a re-match in the Premier League again next season.

“It had been a long time coming and we only got to play them twice. It’s a shame it’s not going to happen again this season.

“The aim is to do it again next year though.

“We want to get promoted and get back into the Premier League and that’s the job we’ve got on our hands.

“That’s what we want to do. There’s no point shying away from it, we want to get promoted, but we know how hard a job it was last time and it’s going to be just as hard this time.”

Burnley suffered their first defeat of the season at Swansea before the break for internationals.

But, having beaten Nottingham Forest and Leicester at Turf Moor, Alexander is aiming to maintain their winning trend at home when they entertain his former club, Preston, in Saturday’s televised 5.15pm kick-off.

They might be missing the Rovers rivalry this season, but going head-to-head with North End is the next best thing for the Clarets.

And having made the move from Deepdale three years ago, it takes on extra significance for Alexander.

“I’m not silly enough to say it’s just another game because I’d be lying,” said the 38-year-old, who joined the Lilywhites in March 1999.

“It’s a big game for me personally because I had so many great years over there.

“Since I went to Preston 11 years ago it’s been a great rivalry.

"I’ve played on both sides and they’re always fantastic games to play in, and hopefully we can get the three points to keep us at the top end of the table.”