ACADEMY SUPPORT SYSTEM BEARS FRUIT FOR LAWRENSON

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Club proud to develop its players on and off the field

2024-07-23T15:00:00.000Z

ACADEMY SUPPORT SYSTEM BEARS FRUIT FOR LAWRENSON

Club proud to develop its players on and off the field

2024-07-23T15:00:00.000Z

Club proud to develop its players on and off the field

When youngster Henry Lawrenson started his warm-up for a Burnley U16s game against Wigan Athletic two years ago, he was unaware that his life was about to change.

Born and raised in Huncoat and a Burnley fan from young, Lawrenson joined the Clarets Academy while in Year 8 at school.

The goalkeeper, who is now 17 years old and about to finish his first year at Sixth Form, suffered a serious injury that has kept him out to this day.

“I received the ball from a team-mate and passed it back to him”, he said.

“As I went to turn away my right knee got stuck in the ground and I felt it come out a bit and go back in before I fell to the ground.”

Not thinking a lot of it, Henry went away on holiday with his parents the following day and received light physio when he returned.

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During his first training session back, however, Lawrenson kicked a ball and felt it go again.

After a scan, it was confirmed that he had torn the ACL and meniscus in his right knee and would require surgery.

At the time, Lawrenson was told by the surgeon that there was only a 20% chance that he would be able to play football again.

Since then he has undertaken a detailed rehabilitation programme with the Club’s physios.

Now, as he finishes the first year of his Business, Geography and PE studies at St Christopher’s Sixth Form, he has spent a week gaining valuable insight from the Club’s Commercial team.

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“I’ve enjoyed it!” he said.

“My role has involved planning events for our Business Club members and it’s helped me as I try to figure out what I like and don’t like.

“I’m about to receive my first-year results and I’ve been looking at different universities, going on Open Days to learn more.”

To finish, Henry spoke glowingly about the impact the Club’s support has had on his life.

“The physios have been brilliant, and the coaches have been very supportive,” he said.

“Without it I wouldn’t have been able to have got to this stage – I might have just been able to get back running but I wouldn’t have been anywhere near playing again.

“I love playing football and would obviously like to get back to doing that soon! We will see what happens and go from there.”