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He stressed the need for Burnley to produce its own players, references were made to the glory days when we had almost a conveyor belt of young talent, and he said it was vital that we have a successful youth set up.
Those of us who go to Gawthorpe will be fully aware of just how much this will enhance everything down there and to sit and here the two operational directors and the manager all speak so enthusiastically about this side of the development, and to speak in a determined way regarding making it happen, was for me the highlight of last night.
Flood admitted that the development at the training ground will be the hardest piece of the redevelopment jigsaw be cause it is National Trust land, although he said the club were very confident of getting the planning permission through.
"We intend to submit the planning applications for Gawthorpe and the ground and make it clear that it is not one or the other, it is all of them or nothing," Flood said. "The aim is to submit the planning application in October or November and the planning authority is working closely with the club.
"Hopefully we will get approval in the early part of next year and begin the dressing room phase [the club are hoping to start that work in February] and that would free up the cricket field stand and allow us to redevelop that and get that done for next season.