Staff from Lancashire Archives were delighted to visit Turf Moor recently to share a long-lost tale of crime and punishment with children from four local primary schools.
On 10 September 1907, two young men had their photographs taken at Burnley Police Station. They had committed a crime. Their names were John Ryan, aged 18, and Albert Jackson, aged 19. The night before, they had broken into the dressing rooms and offices of Burnley Football Club, Turf Moor, and stolen two footballs, two jerseys, one pair of boots, one jacket, one brush and comb, two keys, one wood chisel and member’s football card, valued at £2 11s 6d. A policeman, Sergeant Buller, spotted them the next day and become suspicious – they had a football each! He brought them to the police station where they were arrested and charged.
The primary school children had to piece together this story by looking at original evidence, which included maps, photographs and even the original Burnley Borough Police charge register and ‘mug-shot’ book.
The day was organised and hosted by Burnley Football Club in the Community and the plan is for Clarets Collected to work with them in the coming months to develop a two-centre session for schools. Children will come to Burnley Library to find out about the history of the club and then walk up to Turf Moor for a stadium tour – a great day out. Watch this space for further developments.
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