New apprentices start training

Left to Right: Rob Henry, Terry Pashley (coach), Mark Crossley, Rob Henry

The four names are all familiar to those who have followed the fortunes of the youth team during the 2003/04 season and all four were on the subs bench when the young Clarets played in the final of the Lancashire FA Youth Cup in April.

They are Mark Crossley, Cayne Hanley, Rob Henry and Nicky Platt. Hanley and Platt both got on during the second half of that final whilst Crossley and Henry remained on the bench.

Crossley, the keeper, is the most local of the four. He is from Padiham and in fact used to play for the Junior Clarets before joining the Centre of Excellence at Turf Moor. He has turned in some excellent performances in the youth team when he has deputised for Michael Hale.

Hanley has impressed in both youth team and reserves as a pacy forward. He’s a Mancunian, from Fallowfield to be exact, and like Crossley has been with the Centre of Excellence for a number of years.

Henry is a defender and again has been a familiar face with the Centre of Excellence and the youths. He is from Preston.

Nicky Platt signs in watched by Terry Pashley

Finally there is midfielder Platt who only joined the Clarets towards the end of last season having been with the academy at Liverpool. He came in on trial and won himself a place at the club for the next two years.

They are just four of seven new apprentices with the other three all coming from Ireland, from Northern Ireland and the Republic. One we know is Northern Ireland striker Kyle Lafferty who has been over a couple of times and played during that cup run.

Clarets Mad wish the lads all they would wish themselves and look forward to them making it all the way into the first team.

Clarets Mad wish to thank Burnley Football Club for the use of the photographs