Coach joins the squad

Last updated : 06 August 2004 By Tony Scholes

Yates himself said that he wouldn’t be playing for the first team but needs must and with only sixteen full time professional players he has joined scholar Ryan Townsend in beefing up the squad for the opening day game against Sheffield United.

Today he was handed the number 23 squad following on from Ryan getting number 27 yesterday – no we cannot explain the number allocation either.

The best Yates can expect is a place on the bench and could be used either in midfield or at the back should it be necessary.

He last played for the Clarets in January 1993 in a 1-1 draw at Mansfield when he came on as a substitute for loan player Louie Donowa.

Should he get onto the field he will create a new record of over twelve years between appearances for Burnley.

T
hat record is currently held by Vince Overson who left the club at the end of the 1985/86 season and returned ten years later when he was signed by Adrian Heath.