One final wish for a lifelong Clarets fan 

For Ian Furber, Burnley Football Club was more than just a football team. It had been part of his life for more than 70 years.

Ian went to his first Burnley game with his dad when he was just 14 years old and went on to become a season ticket holder, rarely missing a game throughout the decades.

His love of the Clarets was shared by his family, too. Three years ago, Ian attended a game with his great-grandson, Rory, who was just three months old at the time. It was a special moment, with four generations of the Furber family all having attended the same Burnley game.

During his time at Pendleside Hospice, Ian had one special wish – to be buried wearing a Burnley Football Club shirt.

His family wanted to make that wish extra special. They hoped to find Ian a new Burnley shirt, personalised with ‘Furber’ and his age, 89, on the back.

There was another reason they needed a new shirt too. Ian’s grandson wanted to keep the Burnley top Ian was wearing as a special memory of him.

Ian’s son, Kevin, and nephew, Kirk, mentioned the idea in passing to a member of the Pendleside team. Just a couple of hours later, a brand-new Burnley shirt, personalised with ‘Furber’ and 89 on the back, had been delivered for the family.

Sadly, Ian passed away later that day.

Ian was buried wearing the brand-new shirt, with ‘Furber’ and 89 proudly displayed on the back. His grandson was able to keep the original Burnley shirt Ian had been wearing – a treasured reminder of his grandad and the love they shared for the Clarets.

It was a small request, but one that meant so much to Ian and his family. Pendleside was proud to help make his special wish come true.