Burnley Fan View: Final day defeat simply doesn't matter

Burnley threw away a 1-0 lead against Bournemouth, as they closed out the season at Turf Moor with a defeat. It simply doesn’t matter though, as we are on our way to Europe with our 7th placed finish.

It was an odd atmosphere before the game and I didn’t make my usual early pilgrimmage over, with their being no early matches to drink in – so I got into the stadium shortly before kick off. The stadium was packed full of clarets – and they were in claret today, with the sun out he colour of a football crowd changes from dull greys and navy blues to the club colours.

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It felt like a game where people were turning up to thank the players for their season-long service. We went through the whole team and sang their individual chants, along with plenty of Europa League related ditties.

The game itself began poorly Neither team really carved out many chances but it was Nick Pope who made a pair of fine saves in the first half – I hope (but doubt) Gareth Southgate was watching today. Burnley fans, perhaps more in hope than expectation, chanted “England’s Number One.” Before half time though Burnley forged a breakthrough. A scramble in the box ended up rebounding into Chris Wood, before looping in the net.

The second half it appeared we had a bit more wind in the sails and we got at Bournemouth much more. Pressing well and riving forward. I though Lennon was a big part of a lot of our good play on the right and his injection of pace has been great to see in the second half of the season.

Bournemouth though always looked a threat and they proved that midway through the second half. It looked like we’d dealt with a foray into the box well but instead of lumping it away we got too cute and allowed Bournemouth to nick the ball back off us in our area and score.

Burnley chants of ‘We’re all going on a European tour’ all but drowned out the Bournemouth celebrations.

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Then disaster struck in the 93rd minute when Kevin Long was dispossessed, allowing Callum Wilson to race through and slot past Pope. Bournemouth fans went wild, Burnley fans tutted.

The players came out following the game to a hearty round of applause from all stands, most of the fans stayed behind after the game to thank the players for their hard work last season.

I don’t know what is the most unlikely of the three, but Burnley finishing 7th, Nick Pope winning player of the year multiple times over, and us not getting a penalty in 18 months are all crazy stories.

We’re just a small town in Europe was the cry from the Claret faithful – that’s exactly what we are. A small town that defied the odds. Lets hope next season we can continue to do so.