It's the Cary Clarets

Last updated : 19 November 2008 By Tony Scholes
Today Burnley have finally confirmed that news and have announced a formal partnership with the Under-23 PDL team Cary Railhawks and next level academy from North Carolina.

It is a two year deal and the Railhawks will be re-branded as the Cary Clarets as part of the initial two year deal which is aimed at developing academy based and first team players for Burnley.

Burnley will provide full backing to the Cary Clarets in terms of aiding youth development, sharing training methods and helping to establish the Cary brand.

Operation director Brendan Flood said: "We are delighted to welcome Cary as a club partner. The seeds of this burgeoning relationship were sown last summer and there is no doubt that Cary has an exceptional college set up in the United States that we can hopefully tap into.

"The standard of players their academy produces is high and we hope that working with Cary we can help both organisations to prosper."

Owen Coyle said of the news: "We thoroughly enjoyed spending time in North Carolina last summer and the facilities and friendship were second to none. They have an exceptionally high standard of college players, as we discovered when we played the PDL team in a challenge match.

"I now look forward to working with the academy to hopefully nurture future players capable of taking the next step in their careers."

Since visiting North Carolina there have been changes to our own youth development set up at Turf Moor with Martin Dobson joining the club. Dobbo said today: "I welcome the special partnership between Burnley Football Club and Cary Clarets.

"I met Cary director Damon Nahas recently and was impressed by his enthusiasm for this exciting project. It not only offers a healthy relationship where each party can benefit, but also it provides an opportunity to increase the stature and image of both organisations in North American soccer.

"We look forward to developing further the concept and hope that in time it proves very successful."

In response Damon Nahas said: "Hopefully we see this as a relationship that will help both clubs, but initially we aim to identify American players that have the potential to play in the English game.

"At Cary we feel we have a proud tradition of developing young talent, as was seen when Cary hosted Burnley in a pre-season game in July 2008. Since then the two organisations have been in constant dialogue as we have similar philosophies and interests to look towards developing younger players.

"Hopefully it will prove to be a fruitful tie in, and both Burnley and the Cary Clarets can enjoy a long and prosperous working relationship.