In May and June 1914, Burnley embarked on a
Continental Tour and although not clear from the 'Programme' produced for the party, I
presume it was as a reward for winning the 'English Cup' in April of that year.
The party left Burnley Bank Top Station at 12.35 pm on Friday 15th
May for Manchester Victoria, embarking on the 'Great Eastern Company's Steamer' from
Harwich arriving at the Hook of Holland at 5.10 am on Saturday 16th May. From there it was
a train at 5.18 am for Berlin arriving at 4.45 pm – a travelling time of almost
twelve hours. The idea of only having eight minutes spare to change onto the Berlin train
seems ambitious and makes the Preston connection to Burnley seem quite leisurely.
On Sunday 17th May, after a 'motor Char-a-Banc to
Wansee', there was a game v Victoria FC - kick off 2.30 pm. Over the next eight days the
party went from Berlin to Budapest to Vienna, before leaving for England at 9.40 pm on
Monday 1st June, finally arriving at Manchester Victoria Station at 2.07 pm On Wednesday
3rd June - over forty hours later!
As well as the game against Victoria, the club also
played the following fixtures:
Thursday 21st May v F.T.C. Budapest in Budapest
Sunday 24th May v Glasgow Celtic in Budapest
Wednesday 27th May v Graz in Graz
Sunday 31st May v Athletic Sports in Vienna.
The 'programme' itself is a card outer with 'Burnley
Football Club - Continental Tour 1914' and the club crest adorned by gold ribbons and
flowers on the front, and 'Useful Information for the Party' on the back. The itinerary is
on four pages stapled inside the card.
I presume that these were only provided for the
travelling party and as such very few were printed - maximum fifty - and I would be
interested to know if there are any others in existence. This copy is in mint condition.
