Soccer-Mad Pub Owner Turns Bar’s Garden Into Mini Stadium Bedecked In Burney Fc Memorabilia

Soccer-Mad Pub Owner Turns Bar’s Garden Into Mini Stadium Bedecked In Burney Fc Memorabilia

Pub owner Justine Lorriman loves soccer, and has spent the last year transforming the garden area of her establishment into a mini stadium, with its very own terraced seating, mini football pitch, and outside bar area with seats given to her by the local team.

Her pub is called The Royal Dyche, after the most successful manager of Burnley FC in recent times. Burnley are at the center of the community.

Justine has called the garden ‘Little Longside’ in reference to one of the stands at the club’s stadium—Turf Moor, and spent $38,000 on the project.

“The idea came after I bought the badge, which used to hang in front of the home dugout,” said Lorriman. “The Director of Fan Experience Russell Ball asked if I wanted it after they managed to get hold of it when they were resurfacing the pitch.”

“They sold it to raise money for a young season ticket holder called Lucy who was diagnosed with neuroblastoma cancer—it was to help pay for her treatment.”

The lifelong Burnley fan started building the area, which is a five-minute walk from the club’s home ground, in the summer of 2024. She paused the work in the winter before restarting this summer and adding the final touches for the start of the new season.

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The seats are originals from Turf Moor’s Cricket Field Stand, which were removed last year to make way for the new safe standing area. It also has an outdoor bar which serves a selection of draught beer and a football net for those wanting to kick the ball around a bit.

The wooden fencing found on either side of the garden has graffiti artwork which reads ‘We Are The Longside’ and ‘No, Nay, Never’—both lines from songs sung during matches by the fans, was carried out by a local artist Jamie Buckley.

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“The football club is at the heart of Burnley it unites people, sparks friendships, and builds communities,” said 39-year-old pubgoer Simon Townley.

“The Royal Dyche carries that spirit beyond matchdays, giving us a place to come together not just for a drink, but to keep the football family alive throughout the week.”

WATCH a short tour…