Six new Clarets

Last updated : 09 February 2005 By Tony Scholes

They are Ali Akbar, Paul Casey, Jay Rodrigues, Jack Overson, Connor Smith and Dale Underwood. All six of them have been involved at some stage this season with the youth team and all six of them were in the squad that beat Rochdale 7-0 last Saturday in the Youth Alliance League.

Four of them were on the subs bench as we went out of the FA Youth Cup to Norwich and on Monday as we beat Blackpool to progress in the Lancashire FA Youth Cup both Overson and Smith were in the starting line up with Rodrigues coming on as a substitute.

Four of them are local lads, Overson and Smith are at Ivy Bank school, Akbar at Habergham and Rodrigues at Barden whilst Casey and Underwood are from Oldham and Clitheroe respectively.

New Head of Youth Development Vince Overson was delighted with them signing and said, “They have all done exceptionally well and deserve their two year contracts because they have worked for it.

“It is nice to see local lads coming through the system and we hope they can all do well for the club.”

The picture is kindly provided by Burnley FC and shows;
Back left to right: Connor Smith, Paul Casey, Jay Rodrigues
Front left to right: Ali Akbar, Jack Overson, Dale Underwood