London: Burnley return to the top-flight after a 33-year absence and aim to mark the 50th anniversary of their last title triumph by retaining Premier League status.
When the Lancashire club won the old first division in 1959-60 it was with a well-established side brimming with internationals such as Northern Ireland midfielder Jimmy McIlroy.
There are echoes of the past in the modern Burnley team which is largely made up of British players and plays attractive football, often using old-fashioned wingers.
However, financial realities mean avoiding relegation is the only realistic goal.
Burnley have a rich tradition but for the younger generation of fans recent times have been spent struggling their way up from the fourth tier of English football, evading extinction and gradually establishing themselves in the second tier before last season's promotion via the playoffs.
In 1987 the Clarets needed to win the final game of the season against Leyton Orient to survive in the professional ranks and avoid almost certain bankruptcy and possible oblivion.
Those dark days are well behind Burnley now though and they enter the Premier League quietly assured of themselves after beating several top-flight opponents last year, including Arsenal and Chelsea, in a run to the League Cup semi-finals.
Confidence has been instilled by Owen Coyle who, after a modest career as a player and starting his managerial career with Scottish clubs St Johnstone and Falkirk, has transformed Burnley. Predecessor Steve Cotterill laid the foundations for the rise to the Premier League with solid mid-table finishes but Scot Coyle injected the flair and belief needed to make the leap in quality.
Bureau Report
First Published: Thursday, August 13, 2009, 14:18