ACADEMY LOAN WATCH: HUGILL HAMMERS HOME IN BIG LEEK WIN

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Two loanees face each other with young midfielder Hugill netting on Merseyside

2022-10-23T19:00:00.000Z

ACADEMY LOAN WATCH: HUGILL HAMMERS HOME IN BIG LEEK WIN

Two loanees face each other with young midfielder Hugill netting on Merseyside

2022-10-23T19:00:00.000Z

Thomas & Jensen star in Papa John's Trophy while Hugill eyes top spot

Five players from the Clarets academy are currently out on loan across the Football League & non-league pyramid.

With boyhood Burnley fan Will Hugill getting on the scoresheet for Leek Town, and two of the loanees facing one another in Northern Premier League action, here’s a round-up of how they have all fared in the last seven days.

Bobby Thomas (Bristol Rovers)

Centre back Thomas got another two games, and another two wins, under his belt for Joey Barton’s Gas side.

Playing the first 67 minutes in a 3-0 home success over Swindon Town, Thomas helped Rovers to secure a 2nd place finish in their Papa John’s Trophy group and subsequently progression into the knockout rounds.

The defender, who joined the Clarets in 2017, went on to play the full 90 over the weekend as he and his teammates held Sky Bet League One leaders Plymouth Argyle to a 2-2 draw. He is on a season-long loan deal at the Memorial Stadium.

This Week’s Games: WED – Sheffield Wednesday (A) & SAT – Derby County (A)

Finn Armstrong (FC United of Manchester)

Armstrong also had a double gameweek, which began with a 2-1 defeat at Guiseley and ended with a draw at home against Lancaster City.

Playing the full 90 minutes in both games, the full back – who has been at Burnley from U13 level – came up against fellow Clarets Academy loanee Sam Waller when Lancaster visited Broadhurst Park.

Ending 1-1, it was a feisty affair with six bookings and a red card for the Dolly Blues’ Niall Cowperthwaite.

Armstrong’s youth loan deal with FC officially expired on 23rd October, though discussions remain ongoing as to the youngster’s next steps and any information will be communicated by the Club.

Lewis Richardson (Grimsby Town)

Striker Richardson made his first appearance in three for the Mariners since netting his first-ever league goal at Salford City on 1st October when he came off the bench late on against Bradford City over the weekend.

Richardson fires Mariners into Fourth Round as Thomas & Armstrong eye play-offs

The game at Blundell Park ended goalless, with Richardson - who has been a Claret since the age of nine – playing the final 11 minutes. He is set to remain with Grimsby until the end of the 2022/23 campaign.

This Week’s Games: TUE – Barrow AFC (A) & SAT – Hartlepool United (A)

Sam Waller (Lancaster City)

Prior to the meeting with FC United & Finn Armstrong, goalkeeper Waller also played for Lancaster in their narrow 1-0 midweek defeat at Warrington Town.

The shot stopper has been a Claret since the age of 12, progressing through the academy, and is set to remain with the Dolly Blues on his youth loan until 6th November.

This coming week, he could feature in the Isuzu FA Trophy First Round Proper against Gainsborough Trinity.

This Week’s Games: TUE – Liversedge (H) & SAT – Gainsborough Trinity (H – Isuzu FA Trophy)

Will Hugill (Leek Town)

Hugill takes the headlines amongst the Clarets Academy loanees this week having scored his first goal in Leek colours.

The midfielder, who grew up an avid Burnley fan and held season tickets at Turf Moor, netted for Town in their 5-0 drubbing of City of Liverpool with a rasping strike.

Scoring the third of their five goals on Merseyside, Hugill’s loan is set to run until 6th November, and he – like Waller – is in contention for some Isuzu FA Trophy action this weekend.

This Week’s Game: SAT – Worksop Town (H – Isuzu FA Trophy)