Clarets cup crunch
Coyle, once revered at Turf Moor for taking the club to the “promised land” of the Premier League, will lead out his Bolton Wanderers team for the Carling Cup Third Round clash against his former club.
Coyle angered many Clarets fans when he walked out on Burnley in January – halfway through last seasons’s historic Premier League campaign which ended in relegation.
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Hide AdBolton, one of Burnley’s relegation rivals, stayed up and tonight will be Coyle’s first return to Turf Moor since his acrimonious departure.
Ironically, it was Burnley’s run in the Carling Cup during the 2008-09 season which saw the Clarets knock out Premier league giants Chelsea, Arsenal and Fulham on the way to the semi-final that first earned Coyle national plaudits.
Now, the boot will be on the other foot as his former team aim to take a Premier League scalp once again.
Amid this backdrop, police have classed the game as a Category B fixture.
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Hide AdA spokesman for Burnley Football Club also confirmed extra stewards would be on duty for tonight’s match which kicks off at 7-45 p.m.
He said: “The club has a heightened awareness of the return of Owen Coyle to Turf Moor and we will be dealing with it appropriately.
“We are asking supporters for their co-operation in this matter. Policing and stewarding will be at an appropriate level for this event.”
Bolton currently sit 13th in the Premier League while Burnley lie eighth in the Championship after a promising start to the season.