CASPER LOVING LIFE AS A CLARET

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Young goalkeeper reflects on a hectic last seven days of landmarks

2023-02-01T19:00:00.000Z

CASPER LOVING LIFE AS A CLARET

Young goalkeeper reflects on a hectic last seven days of landmarks

2023-02-01T19:00:00.000Z

CASPER PENS FIRST PROFESSIONAL DEAL - Image 2

Charlie Casper has been a Claret since he was 11, but the goalkeeper has self-admittedly never enjoyed a week quite like the last during his time at the Club.

From Rossendale, the young shot stopper is the grandson of Burnley legend Frank Casper who made over 200 appearances during his own time at Turf Moor before going on to manage the Clarets.

While there’s still a long way to go for Charlie to emulate his grandfather’s achievements, the 17-year-old has taken some big steps in his own journey over the last seven days.

Starting last Tuesday with a sterling performance against West Ham United in the FA Youth Cup for Tony Philliskirk’s U18s, and ending last night as the U21s claimed a memorable 3-2 win away at Arsenal, there was also time for a landmark trip to Ipswich with the first team.

CLARETS CALENDAR: YOUR GUIDE TO THE WEEK AHEAD - Image 2

“It’s been a really good week for me to be honest,” said Casper. “The highlight was obviously travelling with and being named in the matchday squad at Ipswich over the weekend.

“It’s been a dream being involved with the first-team throughout this season, and I hadn’t been in the squad before, I was helping them prepare for games.

“I’m a Burnley fan so some of the lads like [Jack] Cork, [Ashley] Barnes and [Jay] Rodriguez I’ve been supporting them since I was a kid.

“To be training with them and eating with them every day now is a bit surreal, and being on the bench at Ipswich only enhanced that feeling for me.”

CASPER PENS FIRST PROFESSIONAL DEAL - Image 3

Casper, whose dad Chris was also a professional footballer and is now involved with the rest of the Class of '92 at Salford City, is still a second-year scholar.

He has been training alongside Arijanet Muric, Bailey Peacock-Farrell & Denis Franchi throughout this season under the guidance of Goalkeeper Coach Jelle ten Rouwelaar.

“Once you’re in the group with them all, you realise they’re just people at the end of the day, the same as you.

“Everyone has the same goals and you work together to help the Club, and the squad, to try to achieve those.”

Having had a taste of life under Vincent Kompany, Casper now knows the hard work must continue, adding: “I’m hoping this is just the start for me in my career, and I think pathway from the academy up to the senior team is clear now.

CASPER LOVING LIFE AS A CLARET - Image 3

“If you work hard enough, you will get your chance, and that’s been proven already with players like Joe Bauress and Marcel [Lewis].

“Examples like that are what drive you as an academy player, and I’m determined to carry on my progression at this Club amongst what is a really good crop of goalkeepers.”

Casper, who turns 18 in April, is eligible to represent both the U18s & U21s until the end of the season.