Lancashire

Local elections 2026
Local elections 2026

Lancashire's local elections in 2026

People living in seven parts of Lancashire will head to the polls on 7 May.

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  1. Leeds 3-1 Burnley: What Jackson saidpublished at 22:58 BST

    Media caption,

    Difficult 24 hours no excuse for Burnley errors - interim boss Jackson

    Burnley interim boss Mike Jackson, speaking to BBC Match of the Day: "We started the game a bit jittery. I knew this could go one of two ways with what has happened in the last 24 hours, and I knew there could be some nerves and anxiety. I think we grew into the game in the back end of the first half and we started the second quiet well, but then again at this level you can't give away errors that lead to goals and ultimately that has cost us in the end.

    "We wait sometimes to get going, to go a goal down and then it is like 'ok let's go'. We need to give ourselves a better chance by competing from the start.

    "Win a game of football. It is as simple as that. I don't look at anything else in terms of outside. Strip it all back and it's about trying to win a game of football between now and the end of the season, to give our supporters something to hold onto to go into next year. That is the sole focus. It is up to us now as a group of staff to bring these lads together and to try to give them that confidence because it is difficult when you are down there."

    On who is in the frame to take the reigns going forward: "This is just coming less than 24 hours. That for me is as far away from my thoughts as possible. No one has spoken about anything to do with that. The club and players have had to deal with the manager leaving who was really close to ourselves and the group."

    Did you know?

    • Burnley fell to their 23rd defeat of the Premier League season, only the fourth time they have lost that often in a league campaign, after 1975-76 (23), 2009-10 (24), and 2023-24 (24).

    • Burnley have lost each of their last four away league games all by a margin of 2+ goals; it's their longest losing run by two or more goals on the road in the league since January 2010 (5 in a row).

  2. Analysis: Clarets in need of a rethinkpublished at 22:13 BST

    Keifer MacDonald
    BBC Sport journalist

    BurnleyImage source, Getty Images

    It has been a bruising few days for Burnley.

    Only eight days after their relegation to the Championship was confirmed, the club announced that popular head coach Scott Parker had left his position by mutual consent.

    Less than 48 hours later, this defeat to high-flying Leeds United underlined the contrasting fortunes of the two sides since their return to the Premier League.

    Last May, Leeds pipped Burnley to the Championship title on goal difference after both sides amassed 100 points.

    But less than 12 months on, the gap between them is far more significant - now standing at five places and 23 points.

    That is because Leeds, despite a stuttering start, have emerged as one of the Premier League's surprise packages this season. Farke's side have won 10 of their 35 games and are all but safe from relegation.

    Burnley, by contrast, have managed just four wins all season and have been stuck in the relegation zone since November.

    This is not just a defeat that must serve as a lesson, but the season as a whole. Since their relegation in 2022 after six consecutive years in the top flight, Burnley have yo-yoed between the first and second tiers.

    It is clear that the model Burnley and working towards has it flaws and will require significant changes in the summer if they are to not only to secure another promotion, but to re-establish themselves as a competitive Premier League side.

  3. Leeds 3-1 Burnley - send us your thoughtspublished at 21:58 BST

    Have your say banner
    Media caption,

    Leeds beat Burnley to move closer to safety

    Whether you were at the game or following from elsewhere, we want to know what you learned.

    Have your say on Leeds' performance

    What did you make of Burnley's display?

    Come back on Saturday for a selection of your replies

  4. Leeds v Burnley: Team newspublished at 19:04 BST

    Leeds XI

    Leeds United manager Daniel Farke has made three changes to the side that lost against Chelsea in the FA Cup semi-final on Sunday.

    Goalkeeper Lucas Perri, defender Gabriel Gudmundsson and midfielder Brenden Aaronson are replaced by Karl Darlow, James Justin and Anton Stach, who returns from a spell on the sidelines with an ankle injury.

    Leeds XI: Darlow, Bogle, Struijk, Bijol, Rodon, Justin; Tanaka, Ampadu, Stach; Okafor, Calvert-Lewin

    Subs: Perri, Byram, Bornauw, Longstaff, Aaronson, James, Gnonto, Piroe, Nmecha

    In the opposite dugout, interim Burnley manager Michael Jackson has named the same XI that lost to Manchester City in the Premier League nine days ago.

    Burnley XI: Dubravka, Walker, Humphreys, Ekdal, Esteve, Hartman; Laurent, Ward-Prowse; Anthony, Flemming, Tchaouna

    Subs: Weiss, Worrall, Ugochukwu, Edwards, Florentino, Pires, Amdouni, Broja, Hannibal

    Burnley XI
  5. Leeds v Burnley: Key stats and talking pointspublished at 11:21 BST

    Prudent Nsengiyumva
    BBC Sport journalist

    Leeds United host Burnley on Friday (20:00 BST) needing the points to virtually end any relegation concerns. Burnley, already relegated and now managerless after Scott Parker left the club on Thursday, have little but pride at stake.

    Can Leeds pull clear of danger?

    Leeds know a win would increase pressure on the other relegation candidates ahead of the weekend. The Whites have often been competitive this season, rarely dominating possession but creating enough chances to stay in games. The issue has been turning those moments into comfortable wins, particularly at home.

    Nowhere is that clearer than after the half-time interval. Leeds have conceded 15 second half league goals at Elland Road and when matches are level or Leeds hold a narrow lead, Farke's side tend to slow the tempo and protect central areas rather than push for a decisive second goal. Control becomes caution – and pressure follows.

    Greater calm in front of goal could make the difference. Forward Noah Okafor has emerged as Leeds' most reliable finisher since early February, scoring five Premier League goals in that period. Only Morgan Gibbs-White and Viktor Gyokeres have scored more in the same spell. If Friday's game remains tight into the latter stages, Leeds will need that efficiency.

    A table showing players who have scored most goals in the Premier League since 6 February in 2025-26 season

    Will pride drive managerless Burnley at Elland Road?

    Burnley's return to the Premier League has again proved short-lived, with relegation confirmed by last week's defeat by Manchester City. With the club now managerless, there is a possibility they play with a degree of freedom – but their away form offers little reassurance.

    The pattern has been familiar. Burnley often start competitively, pressing with energy and keeping their shape. However, as intensity drops, gaps appear and opponents take advantage.

    They have conceded 25 first half away goals and remain the league's most porous defence, with 68 goals conceded overall.

    A graphic showing teams that have conceded most goals in the Premier League in 2025-26

    If Leeds are looking for encouragement, it may come from that contrast in resilience. This fixture has the feel of a match shaped by patience and timing: one side trying to avoid the late game issues that have haunted their season, the other vulnerable once momentum turns against them. How Leeds manage that balance after the break could decide the outcome.

  6. Who next for Burnley boss?published at 09:16 BST

    Your Burnley opinions banner
    A split graphic of Craig Bellamy, Sean Dyche, Liam Rosenior and Steven GerrardImage source, Getty Images

    We asked for your views on who should become the next Burnley manager after the club announced Scott Parker's exit on Thursday.

    Here are some of your comments:

    Isaac: Has to be Craig Bellamy, knows the club inside out and the fans already like him. No doubt in my mind.

    Ted: Craig would be a great choice but also the managers proven taking a small club to successful - Thomas Frank, Liam Rosenior, even, dare I suggest, John Eustace - could get us all enjoying, believing and just loving coming to football again!

    Kevin: What about Rosenior, he did a great job before moving to Chelsea then getting sacked. I think he'll be a good fit for us in the Championship.

    Dusty: Bellamy would be my first choice closely followed by Dyche. The main issue is player recruitment because Burnley did not buy well last summer. Poor judgement by the club buying too many players with no proven record in the Premier League. We need someone who can attract quality to join Burnley and play to win.

    Andy: Craig Bellamy, Steven Gerrard or Sean Dyche are suitable to get the club out of this mess and stop them from doing a Leicester City and dropping into the third tier.

    Thomas: Will the Burnley board admit they got it wrong and re-employ Sean Dyche? I very much doubt it. If not please don't go for a so-called big name like Steven Gerrard.

  7. Sutton's predictions: Leeds v Burnleypublished at 08:03 BST

    Chris Sutton smiling on a yellow and black background with 'Sutton's predictions' written below his face

    The Burnley fans never really seemed to take to Scott Parker but his biggest problem was Sunderland and Leeds being more competitive than the Clarets as promoted clubs this season.

    Burnley are down and searching for a new manager, but Leeds go marching on together - they have had an outstanding campaign under Daniel Farke even if their performance against Chelsea in last weekend's FA Cup semi-final was disappointing compared to their recent form.

    If Leeds lose this, then it is squeaky bum time for them with games to come against Tottenham and West Ham, but they won't mess up.

    For me, this is the result that will secure their safety. Yes, there would still be work to do, but if there ever was a gimme this season then it is playing Burnley at home.

    Sutton's prediction: 2-0

    Read the full predictions and have your say here

  8. 'Be careful what you wish for' after Parker exitpublished at 18:17 BST 30 April

    Scott Read
    BBC Radio Lancashire journalist

    Scott ParkerImage source, Getty Images

    The fourth paragraph down on the official press release confirming the departure of Scott Parker tells you everything about how much he is regarded by Burnley's board and chairman Alan Pace.

    The prospect of even sitting down with this manager to discuss whether they can or should go on would have been unthinkable 12 months ago.

    Parker has represented himself and the club impeccably during his time as manager and he was deeply admired and respected throughout the football club.

    He once said to me in a pre-match news conference "let's be different" when asked about the criticism he was receiving from some supporters, which at times felt it was beyond what was responsible.

    The football club has been trending this way for some time. Sean Dyche was sacked with the club in the Premier League's relegation zone. Vincent Kompany failed to keep them up. Parker joins the list - but this is not entirely on Scott.

    The club's recruitment policy under Kompany failed. Highly successful loan players left following promotion and younger recruits with potential sell-on value were signed. And relegation followed.

    They changed their approach under Parker. Loan players were signed with obligations to buy and they won promotion once again. Almost half of the money spent in the summer window this season were signings they were obliged to make. And relegation followed.

    And now, for a third successive Championship campaign, they will go into a summer surrounded by uncertainty, needing a new manager and all the upheaval that brings.

    Burnley wanted Kompany to stay and bring them back up, and before a ball was kicked this season the club would have wanted the same with Parker.

    The Championship is littered with examples of mismanagement and poor decisions.

    Look how quickly things have unravelled for Leicester City. How long is it since Blackburn Rovers, Middlesbrough, West Brom and Stoke City played in the top flight? The list goes on.

    If you don't bounce back straight away it becomes increasingly difficult to bounce back at all.

    Be careful what you wish for - the good ones don't come around very often.

    Back to that fourth paragraph down on the club's press release and some of the words used; "professionalism", "dedication", "respect" and "gratitude".

    Who would you like to be the next Burnley boss now that Parker has gone?

    Send us your views here