Burnley, like Blackburn Rovers, have for sure had a distinguished past — both founder members of the Football League, both among the country’s top-flight teams until the changes, beginning with the abolition of the maximum wage, which have stacked the pack against town teams and (too much) in favour of a few big city clubs.

But for a quarter of a century there has been a divine order of things. Burnley knew their place — and wherever that was, it was always below Blackburn. We’ve coincided in the same league only once before since 1983 — in the Championship in the 2000-01 season. We climbed back into the Premiership on Burnley’s back. Two brilliant wins. On All Fool’s Day 2001 we stuffed them 5-0 at Ewood Park. But the even greater joy, a day embedded in the soul of all Rovers fans, came with our win on December 17, 2000, at Turf Moor when we won 2-0. So angry did this make the Burnley fans that they smashed up their town centre afterwards.

I’m relishing the return. It’s one of those games that makes football so special: incredible anticipation, an extra edge to the atmosphere and an even greater sense than usual of joy or despair when the final whistle blows.

There is also a question of regional pride. One thing Alastair Campbell and I can agree on is that for East Lancashire to be able to boast a tenth of the Premier League’s clubs is a massive bonus for the area.

Burnley have a brilliant home record this season, better than us, and I salute their fans. But they are away tomorrow. And their away record is even worse than ours, so I am in no doubt that although it’s going to be a tough match, in the end I’ll be backing the winning team. Sorry in advance, Alastair.

• Jack Straw is the Justice Secretary and Labour MP for Blackburn.