ARSENAL football fan and new Bishop of Burnley Philip North will makes his first visit to Turf Moor on Saturday.

Once again he will have divided loyalties between his childhood team and his flock as he watches the Premier League clash.

His new home town club are desperate to climb out of the relegation zone while his Arsenal, currently second, are keen to consolidate their Champions League place and close the gap on London rivals and leaders Chelsea.

Since starting his new role officially in February, Bishop Philip has been touring the area getting to know the people and places he now represents.

At his unveiling in November, he revealed his childhood soccer loyalties but promised to pray for the Clarets, prompting an immediate improvement in their fortunes.

Bishop Philip , 48, said: “I love football and I was brought up watching Arsenal so the match at the weekend will be interesting for me to say the least, as I have also developed a soft spot for Burnley FC since my appointment.

“In fact I have been praying for Burnley FC; the club, its players and supporters, ever since I was announced as the new Bishop on November 2 and the team won their very next game after a period when wins were hard to come by!

“So I was delighted to be invited to attend my first Burnley FC match this weekend along with the Mayor of Burnley, Councillor Andy Tatchell, and I wish the team every success for the tail-end of the season.

“It is sure to be exciting for the supporters and I will continue to pray for the club as they fight to stay in the Premier League."

A Burnley FC spokesman said: “We’re looking forward to welcome Bishop Philip to Turf Moor this weekend and hope he will continue praying for us… and that they’re answered!”

Bishop Philip added: "It has been a great privilege to move to Burnley and Lancashire from London, where I was rector of a large inner city parish of four churches in the Camden area.

“I am enjoying being part of East Lancashire.

"In 2013 Burnley was awarded the title City of Enterprise and I think that award, alongside the importance of being a Premier League town of course, can provide inspiration for us as a Diocese.

“We want just that spirit of success, enterprise and entrepreneurship as we seek live out our new Diocesan vision of Healthy Churches Transforming Communities."