TERRY Gennoe believes the East Lancashire derby is the ‘biggest in Britain’ - claiming even Scotland’s old firm clash plays second fiddle to Blackburn against Burnley encounters.

The former Blackburn Rovers goalkeeper helped his side to a first home win over the Clarets for 21 years in April 1983, as they completed a famous derby double, and has warned the rest of football to expect fireworks at Ewood on Sunday.

Gennoe, who made 334 appearances for the club between 1981-1992, only played those two competitive games against their bitter rivals - as Rovers embarked on an era of dominance over their neighbours - but is in no doubt about the importance of Sunday’s televised match.

Rovers have not played Burnley in the top flight for more than 40 years, with the Clarets’ derby pain stretching back 30 years, as the history of the game only adds to the occasion.

He said: “I have been in the game for a long time and have experienced a lot of derbies, playing and coaching.

"I was Celtic coach at the Rangers v Celtic game and obviously that is all about religion.

“Southampton v Portsmouth was absolutely horrendous as well, while there is obviously passion in the North East derbies.

“But to my mind there is nothing that compares to the Blackburn, Burnley derby at all.

"People who are not from the area won’t realise but the passion and intensity is something different than I have experienced anywhere else.”

The 56-year-old, now retired in Spain, expects a “special atmosphere” from a sold out Ewood Park on Sunday, as Owen Coyle’s resurgent Burnley look to stretch their Premier League advantage.

But, having suffered his own derby hell from the terraces, Gennoe is desperately hoping the derby dark days are a thing of the past - urging the fans to vent their passion the right way.

“I experienced playing a pre-season game when a chunk of concrete was thrown through the team coach window.

"I have had darts, coins, whiskey bottles thrown at me,” he said.

“It has been the wrong kind of passion in the past obviously but hopefully Sunday will be a demonstration of how much football means to fans in East Lancashire - nothing else. Hopefully times have changed.

“The passion and intensity won’t be any less I am sure but you have to believe the behaviour and conduct will be different this time.

"It will be a huge shame if the crowd ruin what will be one of the special games in the Premier League.”