Burnley team up with superfan ahead of Arsenal game

6:00pm Tuesday 18th November 2008

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BURNLEY FC have hired a fan who became a YouTube star as they bid to sell out Turf Moor ahead of next month’s clash with Arsenal.

More than 19,000 people have viewed Clarets fan Ken Stephenson, 63, listening to radio commentary of his side’s dramatic penalty shoot-out Carling Cup win over Chelsea last week.

And now club bosses have signed up the die-hard fan, of Middlesex Avenue, ahead of a publicity drive to shift tickets for Arsenal’s quarter-final trip to Lancashire on December 2.

Retired Ken, who was covertly filmed dancing around his kitchen by son Adam, 23, was tomorrow meeting club chiefs who hope to use his cult appeal to sell tickets, which went on sale to season ticket holders tomorrow.

Communications manager Darren Bentley said: “We are desperate to make this game a sell-out and give the team the best possible chance of beating Arsenal.

“Ken has become a focal point of the Chelsea game and a lot of people went through the same agony as he did, listening to the game on the radio.

“That’s why we want to get the fans to the game. It gives us a better chance of reaching the semi-final.”

Ken said: “I am just going to do some photos for the publicity for the Arsenal match, although I think the game sells itself.

“But I love the club and if it helps them out it’s fine by me.

“I would not miss the game for the world and it will beat listening to it on the radio.”

Tickets for the Arsenal game go on general sale on Sunday from 10am. The game will be shown live on Sky Sports.

• VIDEO: Burnley fan's celebrations become unlikely YouTube hit