BURNLEY'S promotion in 1946-47, when they also reached the FA Cup final, gave us a season of First Division matches between the clubs.

Burnley taking three of the four points was indicative of differing fortunes to come, with the Clarets consolidating their arrival in Division One by finishing third while Rovers were relegated. It was to be another 11 years before Rovers last-gasp promotion bid in 1957-58 brought another unbroken eight years of competition in the top flight.

By this time a Burnley side, patiently developed on defensive principles, was beginning to find an attacking flair too and they won eight and drew three of the 16 meetings between the clubs in this period. It was particularly galling for the Ewood faithful to lose four years in a row at home, especially as it culminated in Rovers relegation in 1965-66.

More recently meetings have all taken place in the Second Division, but have been no less passionate.

When Burnley were relegated in 1970-71 another meeting might have been on the cards, but Rovers went down to the Third Division in the same season and avoided the possibility.

Burnley returned to the First Division two years later but upon relegation in 1975-76 they rejoined Rovers who had been promoted in 1974-75, in the Second Division for three years of matches.

Burnley definitely had the edge, winning four of the six matches, the popular midfielder Peter Noble scoring in four of the games.

Rovers went down again at the end of the 1978-79 season, but bounced straight back while Burnley moved into the opposite direction entering the Third Division for the first time at the end of 1979-80 as, once again, they passed each other like ships in the night heading for different ports.

Burnley won promotion at the second time of asking in 1981-82 to set up a renewal of the fixture, 1980s style. Little did we know at the time that these games in 1982-83 were to be the last between them in the 20th century.

Rovers did the double over Burnley, who were relegated, destiny decreeing that Simon Garner was to play the part of hero or villain depending on the colour of your scarf by scoring all Rovers three goals in the two games, albeit two from the penalty spot.

It was left to Derek Scott to register the last goal Burnley have scored against Rovers in the league.

The last league meetings between the clubs occurred in the 2000-2001 season when Rovers did the double over Burnley on their way to promotion to the Premiership.

The first meeting of the new millennium between them was at Turf Moor on December 16. A very predictably bitter encounter went the way of Rovers with goals from Jason McAteer and Marcus Bent, Burnley’s chances going with the sending off of Kevin Ball.

Politician Jack Straw and Labour spin doctor Alistair Campbell, one for each side, witnessed a few unpleasant scenes after the game, which some media observers deemed a ‘riot’ and a throwback to earlier scenes of football violence 20 years ago or more.

Rovers made short work of Burnley, literally, in the game at Ewood where the Clarets were cast as April fools, going down 5-0.

Craig Short, towards the end of a fine career, opened the scoring for Rovers and it was his cross that enabled them to double the advantage when Steve Davis turned the ball into his own net.

Two second-half goals from Matt Jansen and a late Craig Hignett strike completed the scoring in the last league game between the clubs until the currently eagerly anticipated contest.