Up the Clarets: The Story Behind Burnley FC’s Iconic Chant

If you’ve ever heard a crowd at Turf Moor belt out “Up the Clarets,” you might have wondered what exactly makes two words stick to a football club the way this phrase has. It’s not just a chant—it’s shorthand for Burnley pride that stretches from Lancashire to Hong Kong and, according to some accounts, all the way to Buckingham Palace.

Founded: 1882 · Nickname: The Clarets · Stadium: Turf Moor (capacity 21,944) · Current Manager: Vincent Kompany · Colors: Claret and Blue

The table below consolidates the essential facts about Burnley FC that anchors the “Up the Clarets” chant within verifiable data.

Why are Burnley called Clarets?

The nickname “The Clarets” derives directly from the club’s traditional home colours—specifically the claret (a dark, wine-red shade) shirts that have defined Burnley’s kit since the early twentieth century. Wikipedia – Burnley F.C. notes that blue trim typically accompanies the claret, creating the distinctive look that sets Burnley apart visually from most other English clubs.

Origin of the claret color

Burnley adopted the claret-and-blue combination sometime in the late 1800s to early 1900s, though the exact year remains unclear in club records. The colour choice placed Burnley alongside teams like Aston Villa and West Ham United, which also use claret tones, though each developed their version independently.

History of the nickname

The nickname “The Clarets” has been in use since at least the 1880s–1890s based on verified records. Unlike some clubs whose nicknames come from mascots or local industry, Burnley’s identifier is purely colour-based. The club’s official TikTok account still describes the team as “The Clarets” when addressing supporters, underscoring how the branding remains central to the club’s identity more than a century later.

Why does Burnley sing Unwritten?

After Burnley’s promotion in 2023, fans adopted Natasha Bedingfield’s pop song “Unwritten” as an unlikely but passionate club anthem. The adaptation reportedly began organically from a fan video and spread rapidly through social media, becoming a fixture at Turf Moor matchdays.

Natasha Bedingfield connection

Natasha Bedingfield has acknowledged Burnley fans’ adoption of her 2004 hit, with the connection becoming a notable crossover between pop music and football culture. The song’s message of possibility and openness apparently resonated with a fanbase celebrating their team’s return to the top flight.

Fan adaptation after promotion

The 2023 promotion created a wave of new fan traditions, with “Unwritten” joining traditional chants like “No Nay Never” (adapted from the folk song “Wild Rover”) and the recorded fan anthem “EIEIEIO,” which was released on Spotify in 2016.

Who owns Burnley FC?

ALK Capital, led by chairman and majority owner Alan Pace, has owned Burnley since taking over in December 2020. The acquisition ended the previous ownership under Mike Garlick and brought American investment to the Lancashire club.

Current ownership structure

Alan Pace serves as chairman and the public face of ALK Capital’s ownership group. Under this ownership, Burnley achieved promotion back to the Premier League in 2023, though the club subsequently faced relegation the following season.

Alan Pace and ALK Capital

Pace has spoken publicly about the club’s direction and ambitions, positioning Burnley as a club with potential for growth despite operating in a smaller market than many Premier League competitors. The ownership change marked a shift from the Garlick family’s long-standing stewardship.

Who are the famous fans of Burnley?

Burnley’s supporter base spans from local Lancashire residents to royalty and international supporters scattered across continents. The club’s “Where in the World” feature series on its official site documents supporter groups from Hong Kong to Colorado.

King Charles III

King Charles III has publicly identified as a Burnley fan, reportedly first revealing his support in 2012 during engagements with the Pendleside Hospice in Burnley. A hospice Facebook post notes he has been “quoted saying that he’s an avid Burnley Football Club fan.”

Other celebrities and sports personalities

Beyond the monarch, the Hong Kong Clarets supporter group uses a Cantonese lyric—” ” (“Separation is never easy”)—deliberately chosen because its sound echoes “Burnley,” demonstrating how global fans adapt club identity locally. A Fan of the Season story on the club’s official site highlighted a supporter from Colorado who travels over 4,500 miles to attend matches at Turf Moor.

Does King Charles support Burnley?

According to multiple sources, King Charles III has publicly stated support for Burnley Football Club. The association has become part of the club’s modern folklore, with fan media frequently referencing his fandom.

Evidence of his fandom

Reports indicate the King first revealed his Burnley allegiance in 2012, with the Pendleside Hospice post serving as one documented instance of his support being referenced by a local institution. A Turf Moor Loyal video from the Coronation period shows King Charles making what fans describe as a good-humoured “swipe” at Burnley’s neighbours while the club won a league title.

What he has said about the club

While sources confirm King Charles is a documented Burnley supporter, there is no verified evidence in accessible official or editorial sources that he has personally used the phrase “Up the Clarets” verbatim. His role in Burnley fan culture is primarily as a high-profile supporter rather than an originator of specific chants.

Burnley FC Timeline

The timeline below maps the key milestones that shaped Burnley from its 1882 founding into the club whose fans now chant across continents.

The implication: Burnley’s timeline shows a club that has punched above its weight for over a century, with recent ownership changes and promotions demonstrating resilience despite operating in a smaller market than many Premier League competitors.

What Burnley fans are saying

Burnley means everything to this town. When they win, it’s not just a football result—it’s proof that places like Burnley still matter.

— Supporter, quoted in TNT Sports Football feature

The phrase ‘Up the Clarets’ works as both a chant and a greeting among fans. You hear it walking down the street in Burnley even when there’s no match on.

— Fan account, Up The Clarets Facebook supporters group

For Burnley, the phrase “Up the Clarets” functions as something more than matchday vocal support—it’s a statement of regional pride in a town that has endured economic hardship while maintaining its football traditions. The chant’s linguistic structure follows a common English football pattern (“Up the Reds,” “Up the Gunners”), but its emotional weight is distinctly shaped by Burnley’s post-industrial context.

What makes “Up the Clarets” notable is not just its local resonance but how far it has travelled. From the Bee Hole End terrace at Turf Moor to Hong Kong Clarets adapting it for Cantonese speakers and Colorado supporters crossing continents for matchdays, the phrase has become a marker of identity for a geographically dispersed community. King Charles’s documented support adds a layer of unexpected prestige, even if the royal connection remains largely ceremonial rather than active.

Related reading: **Celtic Banter: Definition, Origins, and Fan Culture** · **Kenilworth Road Stadium: Capacity, Location, and Visitor Tips**

For a deeper look into how Burnley’s community spirit extends beyond the pitch, check out the Bank of Dave Burnley story of the local entrepreneur who built a people’s bank.

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