Coyle and youth - music to my ears

Last updated : 13 December 2007 By Tony Scholes
It was unfair to ask new manager Owen Coyle for an update on progress given that he's been with us for just a short space of time so instead I asked him how much importance he placed on youth development.

I was shocked just a few years ago when I asked Stan Ternent for an update and he told the meeting he wanted to close it down, whilst in the last three years manager Steve Cotterill has spoken positively about youth development and as we all know he's brought both Chris McCann and Kyle Lafferty through and the two players have now played over 150 first team games between them for the Clarets.

Now I was keen to know how much emphasis Owen Coyle placed on developing our own players and his words were as positive as I hoped they would be. "It is very important to Owen Coyle and to this football club that we bring through young players," he said in answer to the question.

"Supporters respond to seeing their own come through and even if we can't get two or three every year, if we can get one or two, it gives everyone a huge lift. The players come through with a natural enthusiasm, hunger and determination and there is nothing better than bringing a young player through into the first team and wearing a Burnley shirt.

"I have looked at the lads in my short time here and I played most of them in a reserve game at Chester the other week. There are two or three there who look quite talents. I think we will have a great gauge against Arsenal in the FA Youth Cup, but we want to develop more kids and bring them through to wear that Burnley shirt with pride.

"We are working hard behind the scenes and I have added to the work we do in Ireland and Scotland where I have great contacts. My staff and I just want the opportunity to bring them to the club and show them what we are all about."

Earlier the situation of John Cofe had been referred to by the chairman Barry Kilby but Coyle added: "We can compete with Manchester United and Liverpool. We just have to bring them in to show them what Burnley Football Club is about. People might think that is off the wall, but I don't think so.

"Hopefully when we get the youth academy up and running we can bring them in and show them they will have a chance to develop and probably play first team football at an earlier age. If you have the platform, and Kyle Lafferty and Chris McCann have shown it can be done, then all is not lost."

After the meeting the new manager described the fundraising done by Clarets Mad Youth Foundation as brilliant.

Owen, after those words last night you get my vote of approval.