THE prospect of the first league derby game between East Lancashire's top two football teams in 17 years is proving too exciting for some supporters to even think about. But alongside the thought of the forthcoming Blackburn Rovers v Burnley games in division one next season is the shadow of rivalry and history of hatred which some people believe is destined to erupt in violence between fans. In the first of a series of features in the run-up to the most anticipated East Lancashire football matches for decades, reporter SHELLEY WRIGHT speaks to a Blackburn fan and a Burnley fan who just happen to be colleagues and friends........

LIKE many lifelong Burnley fans, John Fairhurst has been waiting a long time for his day in the sun.

After loyally following a club that seems to have had more than its fair share of bad times, the prospect of facing Blackburn Rovers in two derby matches next season means that day is on the horizon.

But the excitement at finally rejoining division one is being marred by the shadow of the long, legendary history of rivalry, and rumours of threatened violence, between supporters of the two clubs. Many Blackburn fans, including John's colleague and season ticket holder, Damian Wild, are also looking forward to the Burnley games with the same apprehensive excitement -- and the recent "fiasco" match against Manchester City has done nothing to inspire confidence in their beloved club ahead of the fixture at Ewood Park. The general mood between some camps in the two sets of fans was summed up when Blackburn supporters draped a flag in Ewood Park emblazoned with the message to Burnley fans "Welcome to hell". John and Damian, boss and employee at Fairham Mouldings in Glenfield Park, Blackburn, have differing opinions on what to expect. John, a season ticket holder at Turf Moor for 12 years, believes the "decent" fans will prevail over a minority looking for trouble, while Damian, who was in the crowd at the Manchester City match, admits he is concerned.

"I think it will be all right," said John, 42, of Balliol Close, Hapton. "I think the decent fans and the families will make sure it is all right. I'm looking forward to it."

But Damian conceded: "I'm concerned. I was at the Manchester City match. I thought the atmosphere was very exciting but I can handle myself and it was frightening. There were a lot of families there and I saw the look on the faces of some of the children in the crowd. If I had kids I wouldn't take them to the Burnley match." John, who set up the rubber components company three months ago, and Damian, mouldings manager at the firm, have enjoyed passing time with plenty of ribbing and joking during a friendship which has seen the two teams enjoy various ups and downs. Damian, 27, of Whitby Drive, Blackburn, admitted to "lording it" over John for a while when Rovers clinched the Premiership title in 1995 -- only to receive a call on his mobile phone from his boss years later as the Clarets celebrated their elevation to division one. John laughed: "I was sitting watching Burnley on the big screen at Turf Moor and when we went up I couldn't resist ringing him from the ground. I just held my phone up and said, 'Listen to this'. It was fantastic. But we've always had plenty of banter between us about the two teams but it's good fun, good humoured and nothing more. I hate him as a Rovers supporter in the nicest possible way -- he's my friend."

John and Damian called for other fans to follow their example and do the same.

John added: "I want the banter and I want to enjoy the games. We just don't want the fighting or any trouble. I say let's have plenty of mouth but no fists and keep trouble away." Damian added: "Let's enjoy the football, sing to each other and support our teams but we don't want anyone hurt and especially not innocent people or children. The children are the future of the two clubs and if they go along and see fighting and trouble they will think that is what football is about. It's not."