IT MIGHT be handy to set up a neutral zone at Turf Moor this afternoon for Burnley's chief executive.

For David Baldwin, watching the club you work for tackling the one you support is going to be an "extremely strange" experience.

"Somebody asked me where I was going to sit," he laughed. "Should it be in the away director seats or the home ones?

"I'm going to sit in neither. I think it's best if I stay somewhere neutral for the duration of the game."

After seven years working for City, Baldwin crossed the Pennines in November to become Burnley's chief operating officer. He was promoted to his current post when Lee Hoos moved on in May.

The Clarets paid a five-figure fee for his services but Baldwin insisted this afternoon's game was not part of the arrangement.

He said: "It wasn't a conditional deal. It was settled up in full.

"We had a conversation at one point about potentially setting up a game and coming to Valley Parade. But this is the first time the pitch at Turf Moor has been available after quite a bit of work during the summer.

"We didn't know until the end of May which league we'd be in. This date was always identified as Michael Duff's testimonial, so the game is for him.

"I asked Phil (Parkinson) if he was willing to come over and play in that and he was quite happy.

"The good thing is Sean (Dyche) and Phil are very similar characters. They play a very disciplined formation, both high tempo, and players want to get around the pitch and close down.

"For both teams I think it will be a good final run-out blowing the cobwebs away to be ready to go the week after."

It is also understood there is a gentleman's agreement in place for Burnley to come back to City next year and Baldwin is delighted to see the neighbours renewing their close ties.

He said: "I think there's a really good atmosphere between the clubs. You sometimes get a rivalry when there's close mileage between but there is a lot of synergy between Burnley and Bradford.

"You look at ex-players like Robbie Blake and Leighton James and Stan Ternent as manager. Then there was Richard Eckersley more recently, who came on loan when I was at Bradford.

"I remember the pre-season we had at Valley Parade when Burnley were promoted to the Premier League. There was a really good atmosphere and Robbie Blake was turning on the style, getting applauded by the City fans.

"Hopefully it will be a good event and sets the tone for both teams going into the start of the season – and, most importantly, there are no injuries for either of us."

Baldwin can see a positive outlook on both sides going into the new campaign.

Unlike many who drop out of the Premier League, Burnley have maintained the nucleus of their side for a serious promotion push.

"Burnley were very prudent in the Premier League in terms of making sure we stayed strong and retained the squad where possible," said Baldwin.

"A lot of the players who will be out on that pitch will be ones who've both been part of a promotion team from the Championship and part of that Premier League season.

"Danny Ings went because he was out of contract, Kieran Trippier went because of a trigger in his contract, and we recently lost Jason Shackell too.

"But Burnley are not a club with a necessity to sell players. As long as players want to be there, we'll make sure that they are and will have a good go."

The fan in Baldwin sees City advancing on last season's play-off near miss and breaking into League One's top six.

They will be backed by record numbers of season-ticket sales at Valley Parade – and a certain chief executive from a rival club when the chance allows.

Baldwin said: "I'd say things here look bright. Like anything, deals are going on and will continue.

"I don't know the inside workings of Bradford now but it's not a fait accompli in terms of your squad on the first day of the season.

"This is August 1, the transfer window runs for another month and after that there's the loan market.

"I'm certain that Phil will be spinning quite a number of plates in the same way that Sean is doing the same for us at Burnley.

"Not every one of those is going to come to fruition before the first league game kicks off. But it's a long season for both of us.

"But I think season-ticket sales have been fantastic. I'm so glad we've got some seats in a box which we've purchased with a friend of mine.

"Wherever the opportunity presents, I'll always try and come down to a game and enjoy it as a fan again."