Landlady to take her Burnley FC-themed pub to US

A landlady said she was "so excited" to be heading to the US to set up a pop-up version of her Burnley FC-themed pub and welcome more fans to the Clarets family.

Justine Bedford, who also owns The Royal Dyche pub named after the club's former boss Sean Dyche, is flying to Kansas City as part of the Premier League's push into the US.

The two-day fan festival Premier League Mornings Live broadcasts games on big screens for fans in the USA to broaden the league's appeal.

The lifelong Clarets fan said she is taking "a suitcase full of merchandyche and memorabilia" to the event in preparation for when Burnley host Nottingham Forest in the Premier League on Saturday.

The 33-year-old, who has been at the helm of the award-winning pub for 12 years, said she "can't wait to show Americans our traditional pub culture and passion".

She said she thinks there will be a buzz around Burnley in Kansas as she gets fans visiting her pub, which is close to Turf Moor, from all over the world on matchdays.

The pub was renamed after Dyche in 2018 after the team qualified for the UEFA Europa League during his tenure.

Ms Bedford, who is travelling with club mascot Bertie Bee for the event at McFadden's Sports Saloon, recently turned the pub's beer garden into a mini stadium complete with club seats, and a club badge, too.

"I can't wait to soak up the atmosphere in Kansas," she said.

"It's a great platform to showcase the club and extend the Claret fanbase further."

There will also be a pub quiz on Sunday with the star prize a trip to the UK to watch a Burnley fixture at Turf Moor and visit the Royal Dyche.