DEREK Fazackerley has urged Blackburn Rovers to ‘win it for the fans’ – claiming local pride can make or break a supporter’s season.

The former Rovers defender holds the record for the amount of appearances for the club, having played 674 games between 1971 to 1987, and featured in four East Lancashire derbies during his time at Ewood Park.

Fazackerley, now coach at Huddersfield Town, will be in the stands at Ewood on Sunday as Burnley visit for their first top flight clash against Rovers for 43 years, knowing what is at stake for both sets of fans.

“This game is definitely for the fans,” he said. “There is a huge amount of personal pride up for stake in both towns.

"Both sets of fans will be desperate to win the game because of the bragging rights and the players should be doing everything to win it for them, and themselves. I am sure they will be.

“At Manchester City a couple of seasons back we beat Manchester United twice in the season and it was unbelievable for the supporters – it was almost as though the rest of the season didn’t matter for them. I’m sure that wasn’t the case but it was great for the fans.

“At the end of the season even if you have finished below your rivals in the league, at least you can say ‘we won both derby games’.”

During the 1970s and early 1980s, Fazackerley helped Rovers to three wins against Burnley, including a Simon Garner inspired league double in 1982/83.

He admits though football has changed since his playing days, with an influx of foreigners and shorter contracts, but insists the outcome of the oldest derby in football is just as important as ever.

He said: “There was probably a bit more loyalty around then.

"Obviously I was a local lad and the players from both sides felt the rivalry between the sides.

"I think it’s different for the players these days.

"They still want to win but I don’t think have the concept of how much it means for the supporters.

“This game is still massive for the fans, it really is.

"Particularly with Burnley coming from the Championship, it is the first opportunity to play Blackburn as a Premier League side. Both sets of fans will want to win for local pride.

“It is not quite the same for the players. I suppose Burnley are more of an English side so their players will have seen this sort of rivalry before and perhaps more than Blackburn’s because they have been an established Premier League side for so long.

“I just hope the game is played in the right spirit with no trouble.

"We want to see a good game of football with the result going the right way.

"For Blackburn fans that means a Blackburn win and for Burnley a Burnley win.

"I will be at the game and hoping Blackburn win.”

Fazackerley’s record-breaking Rovers career include a string of memories that ensure his Ewood Park adventure will remain in his heart for ever.

But, as both sides prepare for their first ever Premier League meeting, the 57-year-old admits past derbies will always be near the top of his favourite Rovers moments.

He said: “The one that I remember was a 3-2 win on a Boxing Day, Jim Smith was the manager at the time and we had gone 3-0 up by half time.

“Right after the break we were awarded a penalty to make it 4-0 but missed it.

"It didn’t feel like it would be important at that stage but it made for an exciting finish.

“They got a penalty and fought back to 3-2. The game went into injury time and I remember asking the ref whether he was ever going to blow his whistle.

"I was sure at the time he was playing the game until they scored. That game stood out. To win a derby game away from home was fantastic.”