Clarets Are Craven Cottage Pie in Hamburg

The club have confirmed that the Clarets are ready to launch their bid to play in Europe

Forty four years on from their last venture into Europe, Burnley could be back!

Burnley Football Club can confirm they have been granted a UEFA Licence for European football and will file their application for entry into next season`s Europa League.

And, as things stand, if Fulham win this season`s competition Burnley will qualify for a place.

Fulham last night defeated Hamburg in the second leg of their Europa Cup semi-final at Craven Cottage winning 2-1 on aggregate after a goalless draw in Hamburg. They now return to the German city for the final against Athletico Madrid who last night knocked out Liverpool at Anfield despite the Reds getting a 2-1 win. They went through on away goals after a 1-0 victory in the first leg in Spain.

England`s ranking in Europe is set to earn Burnley a Fair Play slot in the Europa League with the Clarets currently sitting sixth in the domestic Fair Play League table.

All the teams above them have already secured their place in European competitions, bar Fulham.

But with Roy Hodgson`s Craven Cottage heroes into the final to play Atletico Madrid on 12th May they are just one more win away from getting the chance to defend the trophy thus paving the way for Burnley to take up England`s last allocated place if the Fair Play table stays the same.

"Obviously we will be cheering Fulham on, hoping that they do win the competition," said Burnley boss Brian Laws.

"It would be nice if it actually happened. It would fantastic for the club and the town.

"It would give us a big lift from the disappointment of coming out of the Premier League."

Burnley played in the European Inter City Fairs Cup in 1966/67 and before that in the 1960/61 European Cup as League Champions.

And a return would give Laws` side a memorable and early start to next season.

If the Clarets qualify, they will start their campaign in the first of three qualifying rounds at the start of July.

The draw takes place on 21st June with the two legs of the first qualifying round fixtures scheduled for 1st July and 8th July.

There are 54 clubs scheduled to take part in the first qualifying stage from countries as diverse as Sweden, San Marino, Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, Iceland, Lithuania, Israel, Ireland and Wales.

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