CASPER’S GOALS FOR ACADEMY

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New Academy Manager Chris Casper sets out his targets for Burnley

2024-11-12T17:00:00.000Z

CASPER’S GOALS FOR ACADEMY

New Academy Manager Chris Casper sets out his targets for Burnley

2024-11-12T17:00:00.000Z

Q&A event for Clarets Foundation members with Academy Manager

His first week in his new role at Burnley Football Club, but no stranger to Burnley’s Gawthorpe training ground. You can tell by the twinkle in Chris Casper’s eyes this is more than just a job.

“My first memories here was the pitch up at the top. My dad was a youth team coach when I first came here. He’d bring me here on a Saturday morning to watch the youth team play when I was about four or five years old! Fond memories!

“When I was a player at Manchester United, around sixteen years old, we played here and the pitch was knee deep in mud! It was a Saturday morning against a good Burnley A team game. I think Roger Eli played. It was good game, but a tough game!

“Now, it’s an unbelievable facility. A fantastic training ground.

“It’s maybe fate to follow in the footsteps of my dad and my son as well. It feels surreal to be here but it’s genuinely a dream come true.”

Approaching fifty now and with a wealth of experience across football. His first aim is to restore category one football.

“Getting category one status is the immediate focus.

“That would be massive in terms of the games programme. As a player, you’re playing against elite players, so you’re judging yourself at a higher level.

“Ultimately, over the next few years we want to make it a self-sustainable business. I want to get more home-grown players into the first team. So, instead of Alan and the board having to go out and buy players they’re coming in through us."

The most recent local lad to progress through the ranks is Will Hugill after he made his senior debut for Burnley in the Carabao Cup at Wolves in August.

Burnley born and bred, Casper wants to see more and has experienced how fans feel when they see it.

“The fans all want to see young, local players coming through.

“They see themselves in them. They see the passion they’ve got for the club, the hard work they’ll give them, the honesty. I’m not saying other players don’t, but it’s when it’s one of their own they give that bit more. There’s no question about that.

“It’s really important. We’ve got to try and improve our productivity into our first team. That’s ultimately what the role’s about. But, they’ve got to be good enough as well. That’s our role as an academy, to prepare the lads as much as possible.”